Luca's birthday party came and went over the weekend. Let me just say that these events are hard work. I'm not quite sure how some parents do this every year. We kept it fairly simple and smallish. I prepared homemade dip, chocolate crackles, coconut ice and caramel crispies (super simple from Nigella's feast) and of course the cake. Of which I was up icing at two in the morning, the night before. It was nothing amazing or creative. Just a rich butter cake with buttercream icing and a stripe of smarties. But everyone seemed to enjoy it. There was bought sausage rolls, party pies and other junk food. Because it was a birthday party afterall. All served on hard wearing old enamel and a few other vintage bits and pieces. Ones that weren't too precious.
We used my brother-in-laws yard at his holiday house property which has the most amazing views. There are quite a few trails there so all the kids did plenty of bike riding. No party games, we just let the kids do their own thing. It seemed to work and there were smiles all round.
The bunting was another thing whipped up after midnight the night before. It was very simply cut out with pinking shears and sewn onto twine. I used a boyish combination of blue and red vintage sheeting, scrap linen and wool.
And yes, this was our very first birthday party that we've hosted. We both grew up in a religion that did not celebrate birthdays. When we were not a part of that religion anymore we pretty much had to learn how to celebrate these things. So it has taken a number of years to work up the courage to actually host one. For the last few years we have just had a cake and present at home with the four of us. Which I secretly prefer. Event organizing is just not really my thing.
But of course the smiles at the end of the day do make it all worth it.
it looks delightful tania. our birthday celebrations are always small scale. i love the simplicity of your day. birthdays like this are very special and the ones we always remember. xo.
ReplyDeleteI think it looks lovely! Birthday's really are hard work...i have spent many a night icing cakes and getting prep done but the smiles are worth it! i did chose not to have a party for the twins 1 yr celebration this year though as really i just couldn't deal with the stress and i wanted it just to be about them and us and celebrating the first year rather than a huge 'do' for the parents...i have received a few comments about that decision though!
ReplyDeletelooks like you all had a great time and i think your cake looks very special...who can resist smarties after all?!
Jode x
Jode x
It looks like a lovely party! They are better had simply, than complicated.
ReplyDeleteMy husband grew up in a non celebrating religion to, but has since moved away from it. He is very happy to give gifts but is uncomfortable recieving them, pity for him to marry a chronic gift giver! I am slowly retraining him :D
Jacq
It looks beautiful :) A cake & a present or two are all that kids need for a birthday. Im not into big stressful parties here. Yours sounds just perfect!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Lucas... looks like you guys had a lovely, fun, happy day! Great cake and bunting and views! x
ReplyDeleteI was oggling that land Its just like I want to won and its a holiday property?? Wow I would want to live there ful time.
ReplyDeleteGuess what I am?Tho am slack but still believe but you know how it goes.You must email me.xx
You've done really well and should be very proud of your efforts! The weather kindly obliged with sunny offerings and everything looks lovely, including the views and bunting!
ReplyDeleteWe only try to do parties every second year which eases the pressure a bit, especially if their 'on' year, we do some sort of outing instead of the party. Although even with ALL the work, it is such a nice feeling when it's over, knowing that you've provided them with happy birthday memories to cherish.
Some of our extended family also do not celebrate festive events due to religion, it can sometimes get a little tricky when they visit over someone's birthday.
Hope your Monday is deservedly relaxing! xx
It looks like the happiest day! You did a good job...and you know it's the simple things that are the best. (I'll try to remind myself this when I prepare for my little girls birthday this week.) Nothing needs to be super fancy for kids. I remember my mum used to make us lolly bags made out of milk cartons and we thought they were the beez kneez growing up!
ReplyDeleteWell done Tania! Looks and sounds like it was a fab day all round.
ReplyDeleteThe only big celebrations we have had are for 1st and 5th birthdays where we gather together with friends and family, all the others we keep low key.
x
Happy Birthday to Luca! Looks like an awesome day and what a magical venue! You did an amazing job! :)
ReplyDeleteThey are really hard work aren't they! We have decided that The Munchkin's 5th will be a simple affair compared to the previous ones, I am yet to really enjoy her birthday due to party stress, and even then we have kept them fairly simple! I agree with the no games thing - much better to let them create their own fun I think.
That all looked so beautiful Tania! The cake looks really great, I bet the kids just demolished it! Simple is good.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely, simple, pretty {but boyish!} birthday party. I don't think there's a better way, myself. We've done huge big ones and tiny ones and the tiny, simple, intmate ones are always the best. As long as there's a birthday cake, that is:) Happy birthday to Luca x
ReplyDeleteHAPPY BIRTHDAY Luca!
ReplyDeleteYou did a great job Tania...
There is nothing simple about a birthday party. Thankfully the last one I had to prepare was 10 years ago...Now we just give the birthday person a choice of what they want to do and usually it involves going out to tea (dinner) with just family members :)
Sounds like you all had the perfect day...
The smartie stripe across the cake is very effective, looks yummy.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Luca, I must say I think the simpler the better. I have hosted way too many parties and I am learning to tone them down just so as I can actually not feel exhausted. I'll admit to having stayed up to the wee hours on bunting before.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful view! Just magical. Happy Birthday to Luca!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely backdrop for a great Birthday party.
ReplyDeleteLove the cake.
Sounds like you pulled off your first party quite well! We rarely had parties as children, I don't think my mother enjoyed organising them either, but I do. I love picking a theme, making decorations and creating a cake. I wonder if the novelty will wear off when we have two children? :)
ReplyDeleteYou did it! Congratulations on pulling off what looks like a fabulous party!!! Happy Birthday to you both!
ReplyDeleteI secretly prefer a tiny gathering myself. For Matt's birthday we had one friend over. Perfect if you ask me.
ReplyDeleteI am glad your party hosting went so well and left everyone happy!
Sounds like you organized a party with all the important bits covered, and frankly I think it's all about the friends and the cake- and that's just lurid colour plus maximal lolly coverage and you pretty much did that. melx
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