Last updated on March 4th, 2024 at 08:19 pm
It’s the final phase of planning Missy Moo’s 1st birthday slash christening party. The clock is ticking and we are only a few days away from the big day. I am just finishing off the last few bits of planning, checking, and delegating. Here I share with you the fun part: the decorations!
Making Birthday Decorations!
I made a bunch of things from scratch as I always think it makes the party that much more personal and a matching theme. I love a good matchy matchy party! I choose peach, silver, and white as my colors because it is a double party for her 1st birthday and christening. I thought the colors worked well not just together but for both celebrations. Then I struggled to find actual decorations with these colors so I resorted to making them all myself.
1st Birthday Letters
For the 1st birthday letters that will sit next to a framed collage of photos of her first whole year, I bought already white painted O, N, E letters but you can paint wooden ones white then do your design on them after. I choose chevrons for the O, dots for the N, and stripes for the E, obviously. I love the various patterns together. Make sure your letters are free standing if you want to set them on a table like mine.
Step 1: Draw or print out design pattern, tape stencil to letter to prevent movement. Google has tons to choose from.
Step 2: Paint your design with chosen theme color.
Step 3: Peel off template before it dries so you can easily scrap off any paint that leaked underneath.
Step 4: Let dry over night.
Step 5: optional: Glue a bow or add glitter for more bling.
Birthday / Christening Bunting
It was hard to find any birthday and christening bunting that remotely matched each other. So I decided to buy bunting for a background and add the letters and color myself. I bought these silver chevron bunting from Style My Party. They have amazing party decor. You could also make your own if you prefer.
Step 1: Buy or make your bunting, busy patterns for the background are ideal. Use ribbon and tape your bunting triangles to it.
Step 2: Using a cup or circle stencil, trace circles out on the color card you prefer. Solid card is best.
Step 3: Print out the type of font you want to use and cut out letters.I printed on white card but you can print on any pattern or solid color paper you want, to match your theme. I just google ‘bubble letters’.
Step 4: Glue the letters in the middle of the circles.
Step 5: Glue the circles to the center of your bunting.
Tassel Garland For Parties
This was my first time ever making these, and there are a few things I would do just a little differently. So I will share with you what I did and what I would do, next time. Learn from my mistakes but I was still proud of the overall look of garland.
Step 1: Fold tissue paper in half, in half again, and one last time.
Step 2: With the fold at the top, cut strips up to about an inch from the top. *see photo above
Step 3: Unfold width way, and cut ALL the way down the middle. Refer to third and fourth top picture.
Step 4: Unfold your two separate pieces length way.
Step 5: Roll middle of one, and at the end twist the rolled middle. Refer to bottom right photo. Do this for the other piece too.
Step 6: Make a loop with your finger and using a glue gun, glue the loop closed. Don’t burn your finger!
Step 7: String on a long piece of rope or ribbon, whatever you want to display it on.
** Things I would do differently, I used crepe paper for the dark peach to give a different texture and the metallic to give it some bling. I found these very thick and hard to twist without ripping the loop. Stick with normal tissue paper.
There are also other ways to tie your tassel to your ribbon or rope instead of using a glue gun and sliding it on. I have seen some on Pinterest that just twist it right to the rope or ribbon. I think I would attempt this, next time, so it stays perfectly spaced in between tassels. Whereas with mine I have had to keep the ribbon straight so they stayed spaced. I can’t half moon it like most people do for parties as it all falls into the middle, bunched together. Only two things I would do different. Otherwise, it was quick and easy to do!
Along with these, I have made peach, silver, and white pom poms, balloon weights, confetti, table centerpieces, and 12 month photo collage. The party decorations are ready to go!
Other last minute touches for the party
Shopping: Everyone’s outfits have been laid out, grey tops for the men, a white dress with peach necklace for me, and a gorgeous peach dress for the birthday girl. The family has to match the party after all!
Music: The ipod touch is full of disney music, ready to plug into the sound system at the venue. Even Frozen is downloaded, can’t have a birthday party without a little Frozen.
Delegate Duties: Friends are on the music, on the photography, on the helping decorate and clean up. Never try to do it all on your own or you won’t be able to enjoy as much of the party as you think. My advice: delegate, delegate, delegate!
The best part about making all my own decorations is the cost. It’s so much cheaper to do it yourself. I also went to the pound store and bought all my supplies which means it cost me next to nothing for all of this. You would be surprised how many craft supplies there are in a pound store.
If you missed the part 1 & part 2 of planning Missy Moo’s 1st birthday party, check them out below. Stay tuned for the actual party and cake smashing photo shoot! I can’t wait and I hope you can’t either!
Part 1: Making Lists
Part 2: Booking It & Making Invites
Cake Smashing Photo Shoot: Stay tuned
* As to not confused everyone, her real birthday isn’t until June 26th, so I will be spreading out the christening party, the birthday party, and the cake smashing photos over the next few weeks. Can’t age her faster than she is already ageing herself. But wanted to share the planning leading up to her party as I have always loved planning parties. I hope I have inspired ideas for your little ones next celebration or a celebration of your own. All my tips and crafts can be tweaked for a great adult party too!
Related posts:
4 Steps for Planning a Child’s Birthday Party
A Dinosaur themed 2nd Birthday party in lockdown
Why Proper Planning is Key to a Successful Children’s Party
A Step by Step Guide on Executing the Perfect Dinner Party
16 Wonderful Birthday Party Themes For Your 3 Year Old
Planning the perfect baby shower
It all looks so pretty and looks like it’s coming together really nicely. It’s going to be one heck of a party by the looks of it 🙂
I like To go big but cheap for their 1st birthdays. Got most of the supplies from pound world. Bargains!
This all looks amazing Jenny! Well done, it’s going to be a beautiful party, look forward to hearing all about it xx
Thanks Sara. I am getting excited too now although I hate to say she is almost one year old. So sad and it went so fast. Can’t believe it. The decorations were fun to make and so cheap. Got most of the tissue paper, card etc from pound world.
That’s amazing Jenny. I love the tassel garland especially, it looks really effective x
Thanks Lauren and it was really cheap. Got all the paper from pound world. Lol
This looks amazing, all so classy and expensive looking!! I think the colours are a perfect choice for birthday/christening party!! Xx
No not expensive at all. I got all the tissue crepe paper and card from pound world. So none of this cost too much at all! Bargain!!!
The wooden letters look amazing and the garland looks really effective! You clever lady! Love it xx
Ahh thank you. I was really impressed with the outcome. So excited for the party now.
Wow These look great ! I love the colours they are really effective 🙂 #sharewithme
Thank you James. It was great to save a few pennies by making them myself.
Oh I am in heaven!! LOVE it all!!!! Can’t wait to see it all come together at the party! My tip would be plan to be ready half an hour before you need to, to give you time to photograph the details before you have to head off to the Church, other wise you will want all the guests not to touch anything before you’ve snapped your hard work!! xx
Oh Lucy thank you so much for the top. What a great idea. You are right I wouldn’t want them touching it before I took any photos. Hahaha glad you liked it. I really enjoyed making all the decorations.
How lovely. She is one lucky little lady, looks like she will be having a fab party! So clever to make everything yourself, so impressive! thanks for sharing x
Thank you. It was way cheaper to make them myself and I love a good craft project!!!
WOW I love the homemade decorations! It’s Hannah’s third birthday next month and I’m going to start making some of your suggestions this week.
Beautiful blog x
Thanks fantastic Laura. Get your supplies from pound shop like I did. Makes it so cheap and you get to have more decorations then!! I love a good craft project too. So fun to make them yourself. Good luck. Let me know how you get on!!
What beautiful decorations. We are currently planning Little I’s christening so I may have to steal some ideas! #sharewithme
Yes please steal away. Love sharing ideas! Have fun make the decorations so fun.
It all looks very pretty, perfect for a lovely party, well done.
Good luck, I hope the party goes well and Missy Moo has a lovely birthday
Thanks Karen. I hope so too. It will be her first day without a nap. Eeek I hope it goes down well. It was fun making all the decorations.
Wow Jenny you are super organised and that is going to be such a lovely party! My goodness I am seriously impressed by all of the effort and I am sure everything will look wonderful. hope you all have a fantastic time! June 26th is my mum’s birthday – great day for a birthday 🙂 xx #sharewithme
A good day indeed my lovely. I am so excited now that I have everything sorted out. Time to sit back and enjoy it all.
Oh Jenny, You really are putting the rest of us mere mortals to shame! You’re a superwoman!! What is your secret? how do you manage to make all these pretties, maintain a totally fab blog & be a mumma? God, I’m exhausted writing this comment alone! lol. Lovely post xxxx
You make me laugh. I get you are just as busy and don’t even realize it!!!
I love how you always put in so much thought so that everything is beautifully co-ordinated. Missy Moo is one lucky girl! I especially like the tassels. I wouldn’t have thought of that for décor – but then I have boys. I have to have diggers, and tractors… Great post x
Thanks Mel. I am obsessed with tassel garland. You could also use blue green and tractor printed tissue paper! Hahahaha it’s fun being crafty too.
SO beautiful and seem so simple too! We’ve got another 6 months to wait for Indiana’s first birthday but I’m so excited! xx #sharewithme
Yes the simpler the better for me when it comes to crafts. Love them hate the mess they make. Lol it goes fast enjoy every moment.
What a lucky girl. Bet you are really excited now – can’t wait to see the pics x #sharewithme
I am! Just finally feeling like everything is coming together. Can’t wait to take photos of the party all together too.
You have been busy! It all looks great and I love the colours you have gone for. x Mel
I am obsessed with peach this year so I was excited to use it for her party. Thanks Hun. Glad you like it.
Wow! Your decorations are amazing so so beautiful. I love the colours too. I wish I was more artsy to do stuff like this! I can’t wait to read about about the christening/party/ cake smash x
Thanks Tracey. I just get ideas from other crafty people like my mother. lol and Pinterest I couldn’t live without it. Try it you might surprise yourself.
I love the colours, and I’m really looking forward to seeing photos of your preparations and the parties too 🙂
Thanks I am now getting really excited about the party and not stressing about getting it all ready and right. lol
Grace says – These decorations are soooooo pretty. Major Mummy points to you #sharewithme
Ohh I get Mommy points I love it. Thank you Grace!
Lucas says – Ohhhh Missy Moo shares the same birthday as the Mother, expect the Mother is REALLY old!!!! The Mother says the decorations are awesome and wants to know what me and Daddy are going to do for her birthday…………. #sharewithme
Oh Lucas that means thats a great day indeed!!!! Lots of Haribos I think!!!! And special mother juice for mother of course.
It all looks amazing Jenny. Well done you! Amazing how much money you can save doing things yourself and of course it is a lot of fun and personal x
Yes it has saved a massive fortune and supplies from the pound shop is even better.
I find you from you linky party and I need to say I love your blog! I am looking to meet some new bloggers and I am just starting to dabble in some DIY. I absolutely love the lettering you did and the color scheme is absolutely adorable. I will definitely be back to see the cake smashing photo shoot 🙂
Oh thank you ever so much and welcome to Let’s Talk Mommy, glad you like it. I am getting into crafting for myself and fun things to do with the kids. DIY is great. Even in home decor too. Hope to see you again soon.
The tassel garland is so pretty! You did a great job on all the decorations. Sounds like a busy month of celebrating for you! 🙂
Yes it is a very busy month indeed. Things just keep coming up and the list gets longer and longer. lol One day I hope to catch up.
Oh my word!! I think I a little bit hate you!!! That all looks so, so fantastic. Well done, what a huge effort. I hope you all have a blast. xxx
Get on pinterest you can do anything you put your mind to and I am far from crafty and I did it. You can too promise. lol
Such lovely decorations. Very original. I especially like your tassel garland. Hope the party goes really well. All the best, Bonny
Thank you so much. It was fun to make them all up and now I am excited for the party. Something so special about the 1st birthday.
Oh firstly I have an unhealthy obsession with bunting so i LOVED this! And you know what I also loved? The pride factor. The fact that when your little one looks back on piccys you can say “yep Mummy did that”. That’s ace that is. I am crap at anything like this so I am uber jel bab xxx
Oh I bet you would be better than you think you would be. This was my first homemade party decor and I was really pleased with the outcome. lol Pinterest all the way baby!!!
Oh jenny this is all so gorgeous. I love how much effort you put into every single thing you do. Wonderful mummy and can’t wait to see all the pics!!!
Oh yes I am all or nothing kind of gal for sure!!! lol
Wow I love your energy with all this Jenny. The decorations look fab and you’re right, it is so much more cost effective this way! But also, I imagine, much more satisfying. I really look forward to seeing pics of the party and the cake smashing! 🙂 X
Definitely more satisfying and cost effective. I was really pleased with the outcomes. Can’t wait for the party now.
I love the tassles, they look great, and the letters look really professional. That’s what’s great about home made decs, that they can look pro without costing the earth, and being personal to you.
Hope the party goes well, and everyone has a great time.
Thanks Emma. I had fun making them, at first I was like what did I get myself into but then really pleased with the outcome.
wow wow incredibly creative, i like it a lot, and will certainly use it for the future myself if you dont mind)
NO that’s why I share to inspire and share my ideas as others do with me and pay it all forward. Copy away!!
Jenny, these look amazing! I love the colour theme and they are so creative!
Thanks Bex I was really pleased with the outcome for sure. I am so excited for the party now.
So impressed! What a lucky girl too! Very cute, and I get the feeling you won’t be up until 1am making a (crap) cake, as I seem to be for every birthday! X
No maybe not this year but I am sure I will be there year after year to come. lol Thanks hun.
Wow your so talented they all look really professional
Thank you so much. I was really pleased with them. Can’t wait now to show them all!
I like your decorations and I hope your daughter has a lovely christening and first birthday
Thank you Olivia. I just hope it all goes smoothly. So much done now I can just sit back and enjoy. Can’t wait to share it all here.
These decorations are all so, so pretty! I’m in awe that you can not only think of all these ideas but also find the time to execute them. We kind of glossed over M’s first birthday as we don’t have family nearby, nor many close friends with little kids, but I have to admit I’m looking forward to throwing him themed birthdays when he’s a little older. It’s EXACTLY the kind of thing I would get really into and (if you were to ask my husband) spend way too long preparing! So I love that you are really going for this 🙂
Get you! Loving everything you have crafted so far. Especially the tassel garland, what a fabulous idea. So different and pretty! I cannot wait to see the overall blog about the wee womans big day! Hope she and everyone else has an amazing time!! xx
Thank you so much Deb. I will be sure to share on #MMWBH thanks for hosting lovely. The garland is my favorite too!
Those decorations look beautiful – well done hun 🙂 I have never thought of making my own decorations but you have inspired me to think about doing this for Chloe’s sweet 16 next year! #sharewithme
Do it! You will love it and it’s SOO much cheaper too! lol
right that’s it – i have warned you before – stop being so productive lady!! ;))
p.s all looks very fab xxx
Thanks I am so excited for the party now. Just a few little things to make and I am done. Hurrah and then gin will be needed.
That all looks very pretty. I agree with you, making the decorations makes it more personal and it is also cheaper. I did some similar things for Baby’s first birthday x
Ya I don’t go big on other birthday. But their first has to be big for sure. Way cheaper to do it all myself.
Wow they look great.
I love the colours, fresh and original, the tassel garland looks great. #sharewithme
Thank you so much. They were my favorite.