A delightful “in the orange garden” party

We love original and unique party themes which develop out of a child’s favourite things so today we’re delighted to share this gorgeous party with you!

 

 

Elizabeth from Elk Prints designed this Orange Garden party for her son Aiden, explaining: For Aiden’s 3rd Birthday party we set a theme of “In the Orange Garden”. My son has always loved oranges, both the fruit and the colour. The French animation show “Miniscule” was his first favourite television series to watch and he particularly loves the ladybugs and bees from the show. I combined these loves together to create a bright, fresh party in our garden filled with pops of citrus colour and little insects scuttling amongst the leaves.”

The theme was set by these gorgeous invitations which were foil-pressed and finished off with hand-painted watercolour details:

 

The verandah and garden backdrop already makes for a lovely natural setting for the party but Elizabeth added in some special decor touches to enhance the setting and lift it into “party status”. Born to Party provided magnificent jumbo balloons with garden foliage tails and Elizabeth also had lemon slice mylar balloons.

 

For the main dessert table Elizabeth chose some beautiful white marble platters as a base to reflect the coastal Italian and Spanish citrus orchards that inspired her. Sprigs of cumquats and orange branches were used to decorate the spaces in-between. She also commissioned some beautiful desserts to go with the theme – cheesecakes, cookies and orange scented marbled meringues from Quincy Lane.

The central cake was a homemade affair – a citrus spice cake with buttercream and marmalade. Elizabeth experimented with using some of the Edible Art paints to recreate one of her watercolour paintings onto the cake and to add colour to the sugar flowers, leaves, fruit and insects.

She also designed the cake topper to also reflect the theme and carry on the theme and style set by the initial invitations.

 

 

 

 

 

Arelio Sweetbox made the cutest little bee and ladybird meringues with some orange jaffa meringues and pandan green ‘leaves’ in-between. Elizabeth carried on the bee and ladybird touches with some of her custom designed cupcake toppers to add to the cheesecakes and pannacotta jelly cups.

 

 

 

Aiden also loves cheese so together they chose a selection from Ocello in Surry Hills and paired it with some candied cumquats Elizabeth had found earlier in the year at a deli. Elizabeth designed the little cheese labels so that guests would know what type of cheese, it’s origin and also what type of milk it used (cow/sheep/goat/buffalo).

 

 

 

 

Elizabeth created some of her custom hand-painted watercolour bunting of lemon slices and orange slices with leaves to string between the verandah posts to emphasise the theme and we think all the touches work together beautifully to bring this theme truly alive! It really demonstrates how even with a unique theme…some custom pieces can help to style to match the theme.

 

 

 

We love this custom milestone board that Elizabeth created:

For the take home thank you gifts there were little marmalade jars for the adults and empty jam jars filled with lollies for the children. Each was tied off with a watercolour orange tag.

 

 

This really seems like such a perfect party and enjoyable day for Aiden in the orange garden….

Vendors:

 

Thank you Elizabeth of Elk Prints for sharing this gorgeous party with us which was filled with so much love and personal touches!

 

 

Little Fox party supplies

Animals always are a great inspiration for any kid’s party theme and the humble fox is making a comeback for both boys and girls celebrations!

Whether styled with a woodland feel or a girly look, it’s a fun theme to bring out the orange mixed in with earthy tones and create something quite unique for a birthday or baby shower:

 

 

 

Here’s our round up from Life’s Little Celebrations of all you need to create a foxy feast for the little one’s…don’t forget to simply CLICK on any image below to be taken to the relevant business!

Want your business to be showcased? Email lifeslittlec@gmail.com for information on membership!

Fox party invitations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fox Party Decorations

Mix it up with fox specific party decorations and woodland/rustic items for a true fox party feel!:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fox Party Tableware

Mix in oranges with rustic touches for your tableware – these finds will help style your kids party for a fox theme!:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aren’t these handpainted place cards gorgeous? You could also have thank you tags created with the same look:

 

 

Fox party cakes, desserts and accessories:

With a unique theme such as this, using cakes and desserts as a way to theme your dessert table is the best way to keep things coordinated along with custom stationery/backdrop.

Here are some ultra cute fox themed cakes and desserts from Life’s Little Celebrations in various states:!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The cutest finishing touches to fox themed cakes or cupcakes:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Party Favour packaging:

Keep the rustic theme going with your party favour bags or packaging and add a cute fox gift tag to finish it off!:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fox party extra items:

Milestone boards are so popular right now as a wonderful way to record special facts about the birthday boy or girl at the age being celebrated. Love this fun one with a fox and woodland feel:

 

 

The birthday boy or girl will be dressed to suit the theme with these accessories!:

 

 

 

So are you ready to get planning for a cute fox themed party? Simply click any of the above items to find them and order them online!

Happy planning!

 

 

 

 

Halloween Theme

Although Halloween isn’t as huge in Australia as it is in America, I know alot of you still do put something together for Halloween (or maybe you’d like to try it for the first time this year?) so I have gathered some options out there into this mini post for you all to help with your planning and just as a starting point for some inspiration. Also make sure you have a look at my recent Owl Theme post if you want to incorporate Owl’s into this theme as well!

This is also perfect if you have a little one’s birthday around Halloween and are doing a Halloween style birthday party.

Of course most party shops at this time of year will be stocking lots of Halloween novelty items so I haven’t included alot of these types of items in this post because they are easily found at these party shops as well as shops such as Spotlight etc.

Invitations/Printables

 

These printables are really cute:

How fantastic is this? If you want to do a halloween party but want it to still be girly – these are a terrific option:

Perfect for a birthday party around the time of Hallloween – a Little Pumpkin printable set!

These invitations could be used for a halloween party or birthday party around halloween. A simple classic option:

 Decorations

Set the scene with a spiderweb backdrop such as this one:

Or use wall decals to help set up the space:

A halloween bunting is one you can use each year – as unlike Christmas, the main halloween colours tend to stay the same each year:

Hanging decorations are a simple way to create a great effect all over your party area:

 

 

 

Sweet Treats

Get your treats into the Halloween spirit with these items which are often also available in other colours that you can mix in:

 

 

 

 

 Special Themed Items:

I haven’t included much in this section because as I mentioned you can easily find alot of props for this theme in shops such as Spotlight and party shops, and this is only a mini-blog post. But here are a few ideas:

 

 

 

A mirror such as this from Ikea (and you might be able to find cheaper options elsewhere) are perfect for a centrepiece option:

Favours/Take Home Gifts

I haven’t included novelty options in this Halloween mini-post because there are many widely available at this time in the shops. However here are some packaging options for either your novelty favours or sweet take home gifts, starting with these cute cauldrons which make a really unique packaging option:

 

 

Another perfect option for a vintage style halloween party:

Or use these chalkboard labels as your thank you tags for a simple but effective look!

Real Parties

Gorgeous Halloween dessert table by Mon Tresor featured on Amy Atlas

A pink theme Halloween party using the Anders Ruff printables at the start of this post – featured on Amy Altas

If you are planning a vintage halloween theme, then this party from the Hostess with the Mostess blog is amazing! So many details and check out the backdrop!

Love all the treats on this spooky theme children’s party on the Celebration’s at home blog

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I hope you have found some starting point inspiration for your Halloween themed party – whether you are hosting one for the first time, using it for a birthday or just as another excuse to host a party – I hope you enjoy it and your little one’s do too

 

 

Aeroplane Theme

‘Come fly with me, let’s fly, let’s fly away….’! This sweet Aeroplane theme is so cute and perfect for little boys!

Let images of planes (vintage or modern), clouds, pilots, wings, airports, luggage & travel inspire you!

You could use a blue/white/red colour palette however I love some recent Aeroplane parties (see the end of this post) which have used the unique colour scheme of blue/white/orange and so I’ve incorporated some of my choices around this selection. However some of our previous posts such as the Nautical Theme & Fire engine theme have cute ideas for red decor.

You can have a lot of fun with this theme with the use of boarding passes, a luggage claim area (where the kids can collect their meal boxes or party favours), paper aeroplane making activities and more! I hope this collection below inspires your ideas and sets you on a fun journey of planning for this theme.

Invitations & Printables

To launch this post, here are a few printables and invitation collections which I thought were really cute for this theme:

 

 

 

 

A vibrant vintage invitation which is really unique!

These cute airplane printables can be used for lots of different items at the party and I love the boarding pass invitation!

 

Hanging Decorations

The Aeroplane theme is perfect for hanging decorations of clouds and flying planes and you can really be creative in creating a sky effect which you can then transfer into the bedroom/nursery after the party for a cute style:

This cloud and plane paper garland is too sweet for words!

 

Buntings always look great at parties and here are a few lovely options which would work for this theme:

 

 

 

 

I’ve featured this delightful cloud mobile (which comes in various colour raindrops) in my Nautical theme post as it can be worked in for a few different themes and would look great in creating a cool sky effect!

I also love this unique paper cloud balloon! It would look fantastic suspended with some clear string:

Another great effect could be created using these colourful Aeroplane mobiles above your dessert/cake table!

 

Wall motifs and stickers continue to be a unique decoration which can be moved into the bedroom after the party:

 

 

 

Tissue pom pom’s would be ideal for a cloud effect. You could bunch them together to create cloud clusters or spread them out throughout the room for a gorgeous cloud scene. The best thing is – they are white so they could be reused many times over for different themes!

Hang a bunch of these blue paper fans together for a blue sky backdrop that you could then mix the white pom pom’s into as well!

To incorporate balloons into this theme, these blue and white polka dot GIANT balloons would look sensational in the party area!

 

Table Decor

Your table decor can be worked around the colour scheme you have chosen, but here are a few different options to have your party table flying high!

 

 

These chalkboard placemats could be used in the centre of the table to create a tarmac centrepiece! You could draw runway lines onto the placemat and place some toy planes on them for a great look!

Another unique way of dressing the table is this fun world map tablecloth to connect the idea of travelling into your plane theme!

Some colourful tableware choices which we are sure will make the food taste even nicer!

 

 

 

 

If you are incorporating orange into your colour scheme then these stripy straws look fantastic in this colour!

A cute alternative to the milk bottle is the use of small glass milk carton’s! They are so fun and different and I am sure all the kids will love drinking out of them!

 Sweet Treats

A nice cupcake wrapper can instantly dress up the simplest of cupcakes! Here a few choices which could work for you:

 

Blue and orange look so great together don’t they?

These pom pom cupcake toppers are adorable! They look like little mini fluffy clouds – just perfect for this party!

Also loving these cupcake toppers with a cute design and colour scheme:

It’s easy to have Aeroplane theme cookies using these cutters!

For your main cake, these blue details will ensure it takes centre stage on your table!

 

 

Special Themed Decorations/Ideas:

Your little boy may have some cute toy aeroplanes you can use to help decorate the party table/area however if not, or if you want some more, here are some really lovely choices which will be great for the Birthday boy to keep and play with after the party too!

 

 

 

These vintage planes would really stand out wouldn’t they? Just lovely!

 

Now for a few other unique items which may be useful for this theme. If I had a boy I wouldn’t be able to resist this cute pilot hat! It is just gorgeous and would make a great beanie too in winter months!

These pilot accessories are great for decoration or for your little one to wear:

 

An aeroplane theme compliments a travel decorations/items as well, and these unique notebooks could be used for the little one’s to obtain stamps  during the party (for example when they they complete a party game). If you wanted you could even have different  “Country” stations set up at each game area, so they are “flying” to different countries for each game and receive their stamp on arrival! These notebooks would also make great party favours too!

Cardboard suitcases are great to be used for decoration for this theme or as a way of displaying your tableware for the kid’s to collect (cutlery, plates etc), or to display your other unique items such as the above notebooks! They work as fantastic storage for after the party too!

You could decorate the suitcases (or other items for your party) using these cute plane and travel stickers:

 

How lovely is this globe (and not as pricey as it may look)! It would make a unique decoration for this theme and an educational toy for your little boy for later on too!

For a personal touch this stamp with a vintage plane means you can personalise a range of items for your party! Your little one is sure to love this and it could be used to label all sorts of items for him in the future too!

It’s great to have a hands on activity at a party and these kits to create your own planes/gliders are sure to keep the little one’s busy. You could also have your little boy work on this before the party and then use the plane as a decoration for a personalised  touch!

 

 

Love the vintage look of this Aeroplane carousel which would be a unique table decoration and look lovely as room decor as well:

Another centrepiece idea which would make a fun toy as well is this toy airport! Really liking the wooden look!

 

Take Home Gift

All the little one’s at the party are sure to be in love with aeroplanes by the end of this party! So here are a few cute ideas for take home gifts for them:

 

 

 

 

 

To package these items or some sweet treats there are lots of cute options for this theme! First off are these fantastic luggage favour boxes! They would look so good all packaged up and ready for the kids to take home!

Another adorable option are these unique milk carton favour boxes which match with the invites/printables shown at the start of this post. The clouds look so sweet and the personal touch of the name is a really nice extra!

To go along with the travel theme are these cute mailbox favours ! If you have travel related crafts at the party ( eg. creating a postcard or drawing on some letter paper) the kids could take these home along with this favour box:

These suitcase favour tins could also be used for some unique decorations too! You could even stick your food labels onto them and place them on your table!

Also loving these other cute options which you could embellish with ribbons, tags, mini pegs or stickers.

Gingham is such a sweet pattern which we don’t see enough of in partyware even though it looks so lovely here in blue and white!

You can never go wrong with polka dots. They always look good!

A touch of orange if you are working this into your colour scheme:

This carry box could also be dressed up to look like a suitcase, which makes it another great option for this theme!

Can’t go past these luggage tags to top off your favour packaging! They could also be used to label your food or as an embellishment on your drink bottles too:

This airmail twine really compliments the Aeroplane theme and would finish off your packaging nicely:

Or to bring in a touch of orange, this vibrant ribbon would do the trick!

And finally some special items for the Birthday boy! I love that these ride on planes are wooden – they have a really unique feel about them and would make an extra special gift for your little man!

 

Real Party Inspiration

I wanted to end this post off by providing you some links to some real parties using this theme as they can be a great source of inspiration and ideas! However just like every child is unique, so should every party be unique. So pick and choose the elements and ideas you love and then work in your own touches!

• Levi’s Aeroplane party by Polkadot Prints
• Little Aeroplane party by Kate from Sambellina
• Captain Archie’s 2nd Aeroplane party by Nicole from Little Soiree
• Aeroplane party by Not Just a Mommy
• Aeroplane party styled by RubyJu
• Aviator Airplane party showcased on Kara’s Party Ideas

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Hope you enjoyed this post on this adorable theme! I have enjoyed sourcing these various items for you and would love to hear from you if you use any of these ideas for your little one’s celebration!

 

Fire Engine Theme

A classic boy theme which so many little men seem to love at some stage of their childhood! It’s cute & boyish at the same time with lots of red, yellow and black & can also feature orange and blue. Tin & metal elements could also work into this theme and you could choose to go modern or vintage.

Key images you could work into your decor are fire engines, fire hydrants, fire helmets, whistles, torches, ladders, firefighters, fire alarm bell, hoses, dalmatians, sirens…just to get you started!

I hope these ideas will either contribute to your party planning or inspire you with some ideas!

Starting off with some modern and vintage printables, they really show off how different colour combination’s could work for this party:

 

 

 

Onto your main table & decorations and I love the idea of using this brick backdrop behind the dessert table for a traditional fire station look:

I honestly was in awe when I saw this vintage fire engine bunting! The images look so detailed and this would be a stand out in a party space:

 

For another great fire theme effect, try out these these string ball lights:

A cute garland which can be hung horizontally or vertically with a great colour combination of red, blue and yellow:

Paper chains are making a comeback and this red and white combo would be a cool addition to your decorations:

These quality fabric buntings in vibrant colours would also make a great feature:

 

These other hanging decoration options would really bring out the colours you have chosen and brighten your party space for a fire engine theme:

 

 

 

For the table setting I have chosen items for various colour schemes so depending on your invitations etc you can find some complimentary table decor. Make sure you also have a look at some of our other party themes where we have also featured red and yellow tableware items.

If you like any of the below designs you should be able to find matching plates/cups/napkins to go with them:

How “wow” are these mason jars with daisy cut lids? I think the metal lid would work in well with the fire engine theme. The below image is from an overseas website that does offer international shipping however you can find these in Australia from Ruby Ju. Combine them with a cool straw and wrap some twine around them for a unique look:

 

 

 

 

These chalk labels would look great for a fire engine theme to create a charcoal look. Use them to label your candy jars, drink bottles or even on your party favour packaging:

Continue the charcoal effect through the use of these chalkboard placements on your table:

You could also pop one of the placemats on an easel and use it as a welcome sign to the party or a happy birthday message to the special boy:

These tin buckets are so versatile and great for decoration or for holding cutlery or treats. Tie some ribbon around them or use a chalkboard label to top them off:

To incorporate more metal elements, these cute silver plated vases could be used in a myraid of ways!

For a splash of red, this jar is sweet for a lolly buffet!

Or for a more vintage feel, this rustic jar would look fantastic!

A few other bright ways to present your sweet or savoury dishes:

 

To dress up your cupcakes and tie them into your theme, here’s some cute cupcake decor to make sure your cupcakes don’t just drift into the background!

 

 

 

 

Isn’t this stand amazing? It could be used to house other treats as well, and again great for bringing the metal element into your party:

These bright baking cups wrappers are great even to be filled with caramel popcorn, lollies or other goodies:

 

 

For your main cake, this wire cake stand will look fantastic if you are using blue in your theme. The wire effect will work well with other metal elements too:

Or for a bold statement this black cake stand is really something!

Such a lovely cake bunting! It also comes in a cream/red colour scheme as well and can be personalised:

Try these 11cm long candles for a stand out effect!

 

For other goodies this cookie cutter set means you can create an array of designs to match this theme:

And a few other sweet treats to keep the little firefighters happy!

 

 

Toffee Apples are a unique treat and the deep red would look great with this theme. Love these Designer Toffee Apples which make delicious favours:

 

Here are a few other little decor touches for this vibrant and cute party theme:

How stunning is this bright amber colour ? Definitely not a bowl you’d want to put away after the party!

Some lovely wall decor:

 

This sweet toy storage basket is great for the birthday boy and could be used on the party day as a place to keep the birthday gifts, for you to keep items in for party games etc:

For a unique prop this fire helmet would really set the scene for a vintage inspired Fire engine theme. Although it is a bit of a splurge so it depends on your budget and whether it would work into your home decor afterwards:

A cute fire bell decoration:

Your little man may love to dress up in this smart costume and these firefighter gumboots which he can wear on a rainy day but will make authentic decor on the day of the party:

 

A great treat for the little one’s to wear during the party are these Fireman hats along with the badges, whistle or party blower.

 

 

 

These fire engines would look so lovely on the table and your little man is sure to have fun playing with them after!

 

 

For a bit of fun during the party how cute is this firefighter pin party game!

To continue this theme through to the little one’s take home gifts, here are some ideas for packaging or for favours:

 

 

 

This pocket library comes with 6 books which you could divide up to give as useful favours:

 

 

 

 

Lastly a sure to be adored gift for the birthday boy is this metal ride on fire engine. He will definitely feel like a true fire chief in this!

 

Hope you are feeling a bit inspired from this post! This theme is a real classic boy theme and definitely shows there is lots of fun ideas out there for boys parties. Hope your little man enjoys this party and feels truly celebrated!