I had planned to have a new party theme blog post for you before Christmas – one based around a Mermaid theme after so many facebook pages shared the Mermaid party theme shoot that I was involved with for Tickle the Imagination magazine =)
However my plans to complete this post tonight got delayed due to computer issues AND a feverish teething bub so this post so it is going to have to wait until the new year!
So I wanted to take this opportunity now to wish all of my blog readers and supporters a beautiful Christmas filled with the true joy of the Christmas season! I hope you have a lovely time celebrating it with your family and friends and remembering the very first Christmas was celebrated in a Stable, so even if your Christmas lunch/party isn’t amazingly styled or perfect it’s all about celebrating Christmas with all you who love and teaching our little ones about this wonderful time of the year =)
I will not be blogging until the 10th January as I’ll be enjoying some time with visiting relatives over the Christmas and New Year period.
This blog journey which I started in June this year has been a joyful one only because of each of YOU coming along, sharing positive feedback and encouragement and reading this blog! I have delighted in that community and thank you for your support !
I thank all those businesses who have partnered with me with giveaways and been so generous, as well as those businesses who have joined our Party Directory!
I also send a huge thanks to my blog sponsers: Sweet Little Birdy, Saffy & May and Tiny Tots Toy Hire as well as my blog advertiser Decor for Kids!
I look forward to joining you all again in 2012!
With summer upon us, this theme is fantastic for any kids who love the beach or ocean and especially great for a pool party where you want more of a theme besides just a pool party!
You could base this party around blues and greens, along with another colour such as grey or something bright to go with a tropical feel such as red or yellow.
I have kept this post to mainly shark/scuba ideas although if you look into “Under the sea” parties online there are many more ideas out there which I’ll have to keep for another blog post!
Invitations/Printables
There are some great options available for this theme:
Under the Sea Jennifer Birkhead Designs invitation - Little Sooti
Shark printable birthday range - Frog Prince Paperie
Shark and Scuba printable range - Paper and Cake
Shark attack printable range - Slindb
Decorations
Being an ocean inspired theme there are many ways you could decorate for this party.
A ribbon backdrop would work well for a dessert table to give an ocean/seaweed feel in shades of blue/green ribbons. Or you could use streamers to create a seaweed effect as well. Include fish cut outs and other ocean inspired shapes hanging from the ceiling (jellyfish, seahorses etc)create the underwater feel.
Tropical fish cut outs - Lombard
Printable DIY fish paper garland - Happy Paper Hearts
A backdrop such as this one could also be used for the table or other area in the party:
Under the sea backdrop - Happy Time
The soft floaty look of pom poms would also work well into the decor for this theme:
Grass green Ah-Tissue pom poms - Piece of Cake Parties and Celebrations
Aqua Ah-Tissue pom poms - Piece of Cake Parties and Celebrations
These garlands remind me of an underwater world…
Tissue garlands - Inviteme
For something a little different (and lovely to hang up after the party) these shell swags look great and could be something you could make yourself:
Shell swag - Island Collections
Or use wall decals to set the scene and then easily transfer them to your child’s room after the party:
Scuba diving wall decal - Hakuna Matata Decor
Tableware
Love the colour of this tablerunner for an crystal clear water look:
Tiffany blue table runner - {P} is for Party
Or if you want to create the feel of a sandy ocean floor then you could use this Hessian tablecloth:
Dyed hessian cloth tablecloth - Occasion by Design
These paper eskimo plates come in the perfect colours for this theme:
Paper eskimo plates - Occasion by Design
Paper Eskimo apple green plates - Occasion by Design
A mix of aqua blue and green stripes make these straws perfect for an ocean inspired theme!
Aqua and green stripe straws - Sharnel Dollar Designs
The little ones will love to drink anything which have these shark fins floating in them!
Shark fin ice tray - Vivid Room
Sweet Treats
Shark fins are an easy shape to add onto any treats on your table – whether it be as cupcake toppers, or food flags. Here are some other items you could use for this theme:
Shark cookie cutter - The Spotted Apron
Sherbert blue baking cup - Sharnel Dollar designs
Shark cupcake toppers and wave wrappers - Giggle Bees
Shark Cupcake Toppers - Little Betsy Baker
Little blue jelly cups would work really well on your dessert table and I love these mousse pots to serve the jelly in which can be reused for many parties:
Mousse pots/jelly pots - Tracey Lau Art & Soul
A gorgeous teal colour cake stand (which comes in different sizes) is perfect for this theme!
Tall teal cake stand - Emerald and Ella
Themed items
Let the kids have some fun in a photo corner using a prop board such as this – perfect for a shark and scuba theme!
Shark prop photo board - Happy Time
Instead of party hats, these Shark hats would be fun to have all the little ones running around in!
Shark Hat - Echidnas on the Loose
Some ocean inspired/theme inspired toys are fantastic to keep the kids entertained. If you’re in Sydney these toys (and more ocean themed toys) are available to hire form Tiny Tots Toy Hire:
Octupus merry go round - Tiny Tots Toy Hire
Angel fish rocker - Tiny Tots Toy Hire
Or outside of Sydney you can buy some of these items which would be fun for any summer party in future anyway!
Great white shark rider blow up toy - Swim In
Dash n Splash shark bite ride - Mr Toys
Create the look of the ocean floor for all the little divers with shells, corals, sea urchins, star fish and more!
Baby sea urchins set - Boho beach
Or simple ocean bath toys could be used for fun kid friendly decorations (or party favours)
Sassy snap and squirt sea creatures - Baby Village
Use these shell placecard holders to hold your food labels! You can’t even tell they are placecard holders so you could display them in a nice vase after the party too:
Sea shell placecard holder - Pink Frosting
Use props around the party which double as birthday gifts for the shark and scuba loving birthday boy or girl. Using 2 water bottles you could create a scuba tank prop as well.
Kids falcon snorkelling fins - Swimwear Shack
Large shark plush - Teddy Treasures
Hang a sign such as this (which you could also make yourself) around the party area:
Shark sign - Australiana Online
Another item which could help work with an underwater theme such as this, is a Bubble Machine. This one is available for hire in Sydney from Tiny Tots Toy Hire, or outside of Sydney you can find them online and in most department stores:
Bubble machine for hire - Tiny Tots Toy Hire
Favours
A few cute favour ideas for this party:
Schleich scuba smurf - Playdex
These snorkel kits are quite affordable and could be given to the kids to use if you were having a pool party as part of this theme, to use during the party as well:
Kids swim mask and snorkel set - Epools
Or perhaps some swimming goggles which they can reuse many times:
Zoggs junior swin goggles - Rebel Sport
Grey shark bath gel - Parties and Gifts
Set of 4 fishy soaps - Bubble Lane
Shark plastic toys - Australian National Maritime Museum
For packaging I love the wave effect on these lovely scallop boxes:
Scallop boxes - Sweet Little Birdy
For a beach/sandy feel these 2 options would work well filled with something delicious:
Cloth bags - The Party Studio
Corked bottle - The Party Studio
Real Parties
Lots of fantastic ideas in this Shark and Scuba party featured on Hostess with the Mostess
This Shark party is filled with DIY ideas, featured on the Celebrations at Home blog
Lots of under the sea ideas in this party and the backdrop demonstrates a great way of creating an ocean feel. Featured on the Celebrations at Home blog
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I hope that has given you ideas if you are planning a party for this theme, or generally a pool party or ocean inspired party! There is so many things you can do and I am sure all the little ones will love feeling like they are under the ocean at this party!
Gold is one of those colours I love seeing as part of Christmas decor. A colour of royalty and one that depicts something grand and special – it definitely suits the season of Christmas!
Inspired by this glittery Christmas dessert table by the talented Vesna of My Little Jedi (make sure you have a look for loads of inspiration!) I have based this post around a golden Christmas with hints of pink for a glamorous setting.
I apologise for the long delay in my blog posts lately – so much is going on and I’m finding it a little harder to keep up! My little one is a lot more active during the day and I hardly find time to get onto the computer as much as I use to until evening (I’m sure you all can relate!)
Invitations/Printables
A bit of sparkle for your printables! If you know of any other lovely gold and/or pink Christmas collections, feel free to let me know!
Be Merry Holiday invitation - Fine and Dandy Paperie
Peace on Earth Printable - Paper and Cake
Decorations
These decoration options in bold golds and pinks will add a touch of festive glam to your Christmas!
Martha Stewart Gold and white pom pom set - Pink Frosting
Tulle pom poms - Sweet Little Birdy
Gold lanterns - Saffy & May
Confetti System Tassel Garland - Third Drawer Down
Tableware
Love this tablerunner if you are after a bold print for your table:
Pink/Gold bazaar table runner - {P} is for Party
This gold mesh tablerunner is lovely for a softer look:
Gold mesh table runner - Le Petit Party
I haven’t included plates/cups as most of you will not use disposable plates etc for your Christmas day lunch etc however here are some other items to provide a special feel to your Christmas table and bring in touches of pink and gold:
Gold name card holders - Alfresco Emporium
Perfume jar pink - Shoppe with Lilly
Herrang block candle holder - Ikea
Oslo candle holder - Gifts at Home
Pink Coupe glass small - Sharnel Dollar Designs
Pink glass embossed pedestal bowl - The Little Big Company
Although these aren’t in gold, they would definitely look gorgeous on your Christmas table!
Lolly jar with pewter lid and base - Shoppe with Lily
Mercury glass apothecary jar - Sharnel Dollar Designs
Sweet Treats
Dress up some special Christmas cupcakes with these wrappers and sit them atop of a cute pedestal to give them extra effect!
Lulu gold/white cupcake wrapper - Cupcake House
Pink gold floral muffin case/cupcake case - Cupcake World
Pink cupcake pedestal - Sweet Little Birdy
Love this colour combination for this golden/pink Christmas theme:
Yellow and pink swizzle sticks - Tout Mon Amour
These lovely stands would be perfect to serve all sorts of cakes and scrumptious items in this colour scheme:
Hobnail cake stand in Amber - Sweet Style
Short pink cake stand - Emerald and Ella
Small gold cake stand - A fabulous fete on Etsy
You can’t get more gorgeous and glamorous on your table than a beautiful drinks dispenser such as this one:
Glass apothecary drinks dispenser - Sweet Style
Special Themed Items
To add some special glam touches to your Christmas decor or table, have a browse of some of these items! Disappointed I couldn’t find more lovely pink Christmas items though
Gold resin Christmas Tree - I Love Christmas
Gold bristle tree - House of Christmas
Love these crystal trees (bit of a splurge though!)
Crystal trees - Wheel and Barrow
Reindeer sitting nickle plated - Oxfam
Gold Christmas candle holder - Lifestyle Ensemble
Mini gold pine cone bags - House of Christmas
Pink Merry Christmas sign - Celebrating Christmas
Bird cages are often found in Christmas decor, and this beautiful gold-toned one from dusk would look beautiful anywhere!
Bird cage lantern - Dusk
Christmas white/gold feather wreath - I Love Christmas
Christmas gold bauble wreath - Christmas All Year
Love this gorgeous wreath which has sold out for this year, but I still thought I’d share it with you so if you love it, you can bookmark it for next year =)
Spruce Champagne wreath - Papier D'Amour
These lovely ribbon boards are a great unique way to display your Christmas cards during this season, and of course can be used year round for photos, notes etc! With diamante detailing it is gorgeous!
Beautiful french memo board - French Knot Designs
Favours
Package up your favours in a lovely gold item:
Gold cube box - Details, Details
Gold tin pail - Saffy & May
You could fill an elegant pink perfume bottle with some beautiful scented oils for your guests to take home:
Coloured bomboniere perfume bottle - Elegant Bomboniere
Or keep it classic and simple in a clear jar which you can embellish:
Antique apothecary jars - Sweet Style
Add something special to your Christmas gifts or favours with these embellishments:
Gold leaves ribbon - Camelot Craft
Martha Stewart Metallic tinsel with glue - Pink Frosting
Gold and ivory Christmas ribbon - Amazing Paper
Real Inspiration
Pink and gold winter glittery houses from The Sweetest Occasion blog
Pretty pink and gold christmas decor inspiration from the Citrus and Orange blog
Christmas nutcracker suite ballet party by Kate Landers featured on the Hostess with the Mostess blog
A gorgeous pink and gold dessert table by Sharnel Dollar Designs
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I hope you’ve found some Christmas inspiration here, and as we hurtle towards Christmas at lightening speed – remember to try and not get too stressed and flustered with all the Christmas shopping, and enjoy this magical time of the year with your little ones =)
Our new Party Directory page on the Life’s Little Celebrations blog has launched – check it out here!
This aims to be an easy point of reference for you in the midst of your party planning to help you find some great party suppliers!
Sometimes it is just too difficult to find really lovely products/services online or via facebook by just searching yourself and I know as a mum I would find it a lot easier to compare different products/services if I had a party directory resource to go to!
Since there is a fee involved in listing in the Party Directory, you won’t get lost in tens or hundreds of supplier names, but presented with a list of quality suppliers who want to help mum’s like you in your celebration!
Any business logo you click on in the Party Directory will take you directly to the website or facebook page of that business.
I hope you find this resource of assistance to you in your party planning. I do have future plans for this Party Directory to make it even easier for you to search for what you are after…but all this must wait until 2012!
If you wish to advertise in the Party Directory please contact me on lifeslittlec@gmail.com for more information.
Thank you
It has been a very eventful week!
Firstly THANK YOU to all of you for your lovely comments about my daughter’s birthday party! I really appreciate it! =)
Today two amazing magazines came out that I am so grateful to be able to contribute to!
The first being Tickle The Imagination magazine which showcases all the wonderful talent in the handmade community. I coordinated a photoshoot inspired by a Mermaid theme party – however it was all the amazing contributors who really made this shoot gorgeous! Make sure you check out the article as well as the photo album on facebook for all the details & credits! Thank you to Tickle The Imagination for featuring this shoot – make sure you have a look through this inspiring magazine!
The second magazine is the amazing My Little Jedi magazine – Christmas edition! This stunning edition showcases a lot of beautiful Christmas designs and styling by many talented stylists and credit to Vesna for putting together this gorgeous edition!
My contribution was as a mum/blogger – a Milk & Cookies table which any one could put together for the kids (& Santa) to enjoy on Christmas eve/Christmas day based on my Christmas Eve experience growing up.
The idea behind this table was to give you ideas for something simple you could prepare involving your children and on a limited budget. All the images and credits are in the magazine article =)
You’ll also find my daughter’s birthday featured in the magazine as well. Thank you to My Little Jedi for the opportunity to contribute! Make sure you don’t miss having a browse of this fabulous magazine!
I had really wanted to put up another Christmas inspired blog post this week but had to battle a bad cold/cough (and as you know,mums don’t get a “sick day” so resting & getting better takes longer!).
I’m also working on putting together the Party Directory page on this blog which will be an easy place on the blog to find a variety of different suppliers so that your party planning can become even easier and faster =) Look out for this on Sunday! Then I promise to get a new blog post to you soon =)
Thanks all for reading!
