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A few years, I entered a new world – the world of children’s birthday parties.
It started innocently enough when we found ourselves attending a few of our friend’s kid’s birthday parties. Then when I had the little one, I of course had to throw a big party and make these giant paper pansies and magnolias. Those lovely flowers are still hanging in my daughter’s room. This year, I wanted to create a party around something she really likes since she now has her own little personality and very vocally voices her preferences. The little lady loves pandas and we even went to the Singapore River Safari so that she could see them in person. While we learned that she is actually pretty scared of pandas or anything in a panda costume that is bigger than her, she still loves them in a small, stuffed huggable form (or on stickers or books). Basically, she only loves things that she can hug or crush (and my husband and I of course though we are bigger than her!)
I had all kinds of ideas swirling in my head about how to make a panda themed birthday party. Should I make everyone masks? Should I have a wall of pandas?
In the end, I decided to keep it chic and simple and center it around black, white, with a touch of green from real bamboo leaves.
The bamboo leaves were actually really easy though I contemplated buying a few small potted bamboo plants. I realized we had bamboos in our development and asked the gardener for a few leaves 2 days before the party (warning, if you use cut leaves, they really only keep 2 days). I taped these under black and white pearl balloons at a few scattered points in the common room. I even made a balloon garland and can make a brief tutorial about this soon. I basically had no time to eat or take pictures during the party so here is a picture of the food after it was half gone. I liked the simplicity of orchids in old jelly jars and just food, glorious food! I really need to get a photographer next time or plan a simpler menu!
I also used the cutest panda cookie cutters to make panda shaped watermelon (one of her favorite fruits). It turned out that she loved the panda toothpicks on pineapple slices even more though I had to be careful other kids didn’t eat or poke themselves with the toothpicks. I even bought panda rice molds but opted not to use them – they will be saved for her lunch boxes and the next party!
I’m mostly proud of myself that yes, one can throw a kid’s birthday party and it can be adorable, but doesn’t have to have neon and streamers everywhere!
hehe ! so cute theme panda ! love it.
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Thank you! The panda party theme was definitely loved by my daughter!
Those panda treats are so cute!
Aw, how adorable! I find that children’s celebrations/birthdays can be a lot more fun to create and decorate for. Fun theme with the pandas! I imagine wanting to go all out for your child’s party is a fundamental trait of (almost) all new parents. Have a great week!
Art Book For Foodies
Madison, you’re definitely right. Children’s celebrations are a lot of fun to put together and I guess I am in the new parent, do it all phase!
Those panda fruit cutouts and toothpicks are so cute! You did a fabulous job! Kids parties take a lot of effort. From planning to execution. I’m just realizing you sent me a text. Will look at the pictures and respond. Life has been HECTIC. LOL
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Aww thank you dear! I hope things are less hectic now! Yep, her party took a lot out of me, but I’ve learned and think it will be more fun and less crazy next year 😉
i need the panda shaped cutter–that is SO cute!! everything looks great!