The “Winter ONE-derland” theme was so much fun to do for a first birthday because of the play on words. There are so many directions a person can go within this theme, but I decided to focus on snowflakes and snowmen for Parker’s big day.
I really let the theme guide every aspect of the party, which made for easy planning. Fortunately, I was able to buy most of the party supplies during holiday clearance sales, which helped keep costs down. First, I found the perfect personalized invitations and favor tags on Etsy.com (an online marketplace for handmade items). Snowman plates, napkins and cups, and embossed snowflake tablecloths helped create a festive setting for the party. Decorations included silver and white snowflakes hanging from the ceiling, mirrors, light fixtures, windows and doors, various snowmen, winter-themed children’s books, white flowers, and a homemade banner made from pictures of the birthday boy (one for each month of his life) hung from the mantle. The piéce de résistance was a five-foot lighted snowman we brought indoors to greet the party guests. I was also able to use some items from my own collection of holiday décor since they fit so well with the theme, which was another cost-saver.
I even planned an all white menu including make-a-snowman peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for the kids with raisins for the eyes and mouth, and a carrot nose. We also served white cheddar macaroni and cheese, cauliflower, mushrooms, apple slices, popcorn, and string cheese as well as pulled pork sandwiches, coleslaw, and pasta salad with roasted garlic, white beans, and spinach for the adults. The beverages were also (mostly) white, including Sprite, white grape juice boxes, lemonade, bottled water, and white wine. A hot chocolate bar with various toppings and mixers was a fun treat for both kids and adults. For dessert, we had a white chocolate fondue station, which included powdered sugar doughnut holes, big marshmallows, cream puffs, bananas, strawberries, cookies, and pretzels for dipping.
Instead of ordering a cake, I decided to make a snowman cake with three different sized cake pans as well as snowman cupcakes with chocolate chip and candy corn faces and licorice hats. A simple snowman sticker craft and a game of “pin-the-carrot-on-the-snowman” were fun activities that accommodated the wide range of ages we had at the party. The snowman gift bags served double-duty as party décor and were filled with wintry treats and activities, including snowman marshmallow pops, stackable snowman crayons, stickers, activity books, snowman gel clings, and more. They were topped off with a tag that read, “Thank you SNOW much for celebrating with me! Love, Parker.” Even Parker represented the Winter ONE-derland theme well in his snowman shirt, which was no longer white after he was done with his cake!
