Okay...so I have several questions!!! Let me start by saying, I have 2 little girls and my husband and I make a big deal out of their first birthday. We are a military family and all of our family lives out of town, so we combine 2 events, the dedication of our child to the Lord and her first birthday. We did it with our first little girl and it worked great. With the first daughter, we had the dedication at the church and just had lunch and the party to follow at the church as well. This time I am wanting the birthday celebration at our house...and that is where the questions start, lol! I don't have enough seating in my house, so I have rented several 6ft tables and chairs...but I don't have room for those in my house. My mom had suggested putting the tables, decorated, in my garage, but I am a tad bit of a perfectionist so I am already finding myself trying to locate helium tank rentals so that I can blow up enough balloons to place around the walls of the garage to "hide" things like the lawn mower. (Where in the world to you rent helium tanks?!) My back yard is on a slight slope, so I can't put them in my back yard either!! The garage idea is a nice idea, but how do you decorate a garage so that it looks "pretty" without spending another $100?! What I'd like to do is set the tables in the driveway, with a bounce house set up in the front yard...but would that look bad to have the whole party set up in the front yard? Should I just put them in the garage and not worry or set them out front...and should I put the bounce house in the front or open the house and put the bounce house in the back yard, since my back yard is fenced in? I guess I should also say that I don't live on a busy street. I live in a very quiet neighborhood and live off of the main street in the back, so traffic isn't a concern.
Thanks for all of your help!! I just want it to be special!
Thanks!!!
I have draped sheets to hide items that distracted from a party. We had to hold a reception at a church where the reception room doubled as sunday school. I draped sheets and pretty table cloths over bookcases, coat racks etc... added balloons and table centerpieces and the room actually looked quite nice.
Just a thought...set up a few tables in one area for food, drinks, plates, etc. Supply enough chairs for all and let your guests form their own chatting and eating groups. Serve finger type foods rather than whole meal. Put the bounce house wherever the kids can be viewed so everyone can enjoy getting a glimse of the fun. The specialness comes not from the decorating but from the love and fellowship of family and friends. Slow down, take a deep breath, do a reality check, pray and then just love your kids and family knowing that these things have a way of all working out. Oh, by the way..put the bounce house wherever it works best. It's not a permanent addition and maybe you will open the door for neighbors to feel free to do the same.
My first thought when I read this question is "When is the birthday?" If it is soon then I would be concerned about the weather. If it is cold then nothing you are planning will work...if it is warm then I say go out front and invite some neighbors too.
The next 10 days are going to be in the 60's and 70's in the middle of the United States. Who knows what they will be later on. We could have sleet or a blizzard...LOL.
I think having the bounce house is a fun idea and the idea about putting up sheets is good too. You could always use streamers from sealing to floor and you could add stuff to them like gems or glitter to dress it up.
Hope it works out weather-wise for you and that your girls day is extra special.
Go to a parent-teacher store, or school supply store. Get enough butcher paper to cover the walls...the rolls are about 3 feet wide. You could either get all white and have markers and crayons out there for other kids to "color" on the walls, or you could get the colors that go along with your party theme.
As for the bouncer in the front yard...go for it! And tables in the driveway? Sounds great!
The most important part of this is that you are (as my 3yo calls it) "showing the baby to Jesus" and that your family is all here to celebrate with you!
Good luck. Have fun!
just set it in the garage.
make sure there is no smoking.
also you may want to take it a step further,
after the singing happy birtdyday, take the children
outside and give them a balloon and at the count of three
let the balloons go. You may want to have a larger one for your chiild.
God Bless
C., Wal-Mart sells helium tanks with balloons for like $20-$30 I cant remember right off, but in there party supply area or Toys R Us.
Have you thought about renting, buying, or borrowing some kind of awning or tent? If you are near a military base, they often have cheap rental offices that have these kind of things. Then you could set up in the driveway or yard without having to worry about hot sun or rain, and without hiding all the tools! If your base doesn't have them, you can try a funeral home or other rental company, or even Walmart...I don't think they are too expensive. Congrats!
We have had parties in our driveway and on our front lawn that have worked out great. Have a back up plan if it rains. Go to the Dollar Tree and buy the cheapest plastic table cloths you can find that fit the color scheme. Tack them to the ceiling of your garage, about a few inches out from the wall and they will cover the things on the wall and then move your mower and big items to the back. This will look really great in the background when pictures are taken! Also, cupcakes are so popular right now. They would make a easy way to manage the cake. You can often order a "first birthday cake" from local bakeries. If you have a Sam's Club, they have great tasting cakes and cheap flowers, food, drinks, etc.
Here's what I think....
I remember garage parties from my childhood. A white sheet hung around the parameter of the garage is a nice & inexpensive way to hide the fact that it is a garage. In my garage I would be more concerned about safety with tools & yard equipment. You could also pull a bunch of the big stuff into the back yard since you won't be using that space.
As for the front yard thing I see no problem using it for the bounce house or anything else. Our family in Edmond (Oak Tree) & many families in our neighborhood use them ALL THE TIME. I say go for it. I also wouldn't worry about seating too much. From my experience people will find somewhere to sit even if it is on the floor or ground.
Special just means that you invite those closest to you & love your daughter. All the details will work themselves out.
I'm a party freak & have just 1 child. I tend to go over the top & for it have created a daughter that starts planning her party as soon as her current parties are over. She is only 6 1/2 :) The one thing I've learned is you can't please everyone & as long as you keep your daughters safety & enjoyment 1st hand it will end up being a special wonderful day.
Earle's Party Supply at 45th & Memorial probably rents helium tanks or can direct you to the right source.
HAVE FUN & GOOD LUCK!!!
