I love hosting, and I love ‘extra’ dinner parties. However, I knew that when we’d be having my girl’s 3rd birthday party, we would also have brand new baby. Though I am very often over-ambitious, even I knew we’d have to keep things simple. Since so much attention would be on me and the new baby, I though I’d throw her a ‘my girl’ ‘themed’ party.
For decorations, we kept it simple, and used a gold sequin tablecloth I got for her first birthday (I also wanted to put up 3 photos: one of her as a newborn, a 1 year old, and a 2 year old, but: new baby), and then put up a DIY balloon arch. She had seen my Pinterest inspiration pics, and was adamant about the balloon arch. Luckily, they make super-easy kits, so I was able to pull that off!
Our guest list was pretty small, since it’d be our first time having visitors over—just 6 people. To ensure I wasn’t in the kitchen all day prior to the party, I put out sandwich fixings, so everyone could make their food to their own liking. We also made vanilla cupcakes with rainbow icing, another one of the birthday girls’ requests.
I’ve decided to forgo present opening during parties now, because I am one of those ‘no need to bring a gift’ parents, and I think the day feels less gift-centric if she gets to open and enjoy things earlier, and without an audience. Instead, on the invitations, I requested that guest come prepared to share a memory, or a compliment, with Gwendolyn. My goal was to keep the day––with a baby no one had met yet––about the birthday girl. Plus, the notes are a sweet memento to hold on to.
We gave her a balance bike, after taking her out to pick out a helmet; and she received other gifts from our families. She had a fantastic day!
You don’t have to go all out to have a really festive and celebratory day. It’s all about making the most impactful choices. Overall, the day was relaxed, and fun.
