Baby boy 1st Birthday - Cute as Button

It was my second son, Nate's 1st birthday party this past weekend, I had such fun doing the decor for it. I like being my own client :) 

If party decor planning is something you would like to try you hand at, here are some pointers...

I saw the 'cute as a button' theme on Pinterest for baby showers and thought it would be fun for my  little one, who in my opinion is too cute. Although already a year old, he is still such a baby, so the theme worked so well. I also love the vintage trend, so bringing these two theme ideas together worked so well together.

I highly recommend this strategy for any party/ special event you are doing:

1. pick a theme / feel

2. pick the colours to run through the theme

Buttons lend themselves to such creativity, and are an affordable element to add to any party decor. Burlap/hessian is another greatly versatile element which gives the vintage feel quite easily.

I made this banner quite easily with a black marker, white paint and a glue gun.

The buttons were sewn on, but using the glue gun would work well too.

Then the next two big elements that will bring the theme together are:

1. the cake

2.the party treats, which usually include the party favours/take home candy.

1. For the cake... I have a friend starting a cake business, so I got her to do her thing with the cake. I also saw these cute cookies which I asked her to recreate. They were such a nice way to bring in the theme without having cupcakes as well as a cake.

2. the treats... as far as possible, use candy that works with the colours. Alternatively, display them in containers that match.

I am big in recycling and up-cycling so for my 'party packs' I used old Purity jars, sprayed the lids and glued on some buttons. (love my glue gun)

When setting out for a party at home , consider using one spot that will be the decor focus.

(a venue works a little differently)

Somewhere that has a neutral or natural background. It just makes for better pictures. You can use the colours and theme elsewhere with fabric or balloons. Having one spot also allows to create more of an impact with the theme. 

I chose a spot in my dining room with a plain wall that I could set it all up against. A window spot can work well if the view is lovely too.

Another key element is the invite. it is very acceptable to send an e-invite nowadays, it is even preferred, less trees cut down and it doesn't get misplaced as easily. You will also more likely get a better RSVP response. (If your friends are like mine, RSVPing is not a strength.)

I used a template that had the feel and colours that I wanted to work from and just added the text.

Happy party planning. Or if planning is not your thing, hope that you get a great planner that will put together the perfect event.