Taking the "Theme" out of Theme Party

Clients contact us frequently with theme ideas for their kids parties, and while we LOVE a good theme, when it comes to popular television or movie characters, themes get almost too....well, theme-y.

 My approach to a theme party- especially those that involve Disney or other popular movie characters- is to try to break down what the movie is all about and only add back in a few copyrighted character items (So the kids still feel like they are getting their favorite characters.)

In this party, the client wanted an Ice Age theme. In June. At the beach. Hmmmm... Sometimes our most creative ideas come from the seemingly impossible. We started with an ice inspired palette of white, crisp blues and accents of lime green.

 



We dressed the table with that freaky fake snow, some super creative centerpieces and then some Ice Age themed plates from a local party store. *Tip: Try to choose only one item to work in your characters. Choosing either the plates or the cups will give you the effect you want without becoming too over the top.

For the centerpieces, we bought stuffed Ice Age character toys, filled a square glass vase with water, submerged the toy and FROZE it.  It looked like a solid block of ice with the character frozen into it- just like how the characters are in the movie!! Adorable and a conversation starter to boot!





We grabbed a few acorns from a neighbor's driveway, since the main character is a squirrel, and peppered the table with them.





The big budget item was...real snow! The snow was piped in to make a great sledding area for the kids.  This isn't an element that most people can afford to have at their child's birthday party, but if you do- what a WOW factor! The kids (and adults) had a blast!



So, the next time you're throwing a birthday party and your child suggests one of his or her favorite TV or movie characters as a theme, try taking the "theme" out of theme and using those party store goods minimally. Your imagination and some elements that simply "suggest" at the theme are the way to give your party a polished look that will be enjoyed by kids and adults alike!

Seaside Splendor

We love doing Bar Mitzvah parties. We especially love doing these parties when the Bar Mitzvah is as cool and down to earth as Jake. Jake and his family wanted a great party with no theme- just something that looked great, had delicious food, and was a ton of fun!





The modern and sleek Annenberg Beach House was the backdrop for Jake's party.  The weather cooperated perfectly and guests enjoyed a relaxing cocktail hour after an impressive and sentimental service at the family's Temple.

We drew inspiration from the beach, but kept it simple and clean with a palette of silver, gray and white.





Curly willow and a smattering of silver shells created unique centerpieces that filled the space and brought a little bit of the outside in, while subtle "Message in a Bottle" table numbers were a fun way to assign the tables.



Guests found their seats with these beach inspired "lounge chair" seating cards...





The food was incredible.  The talented team at Feast Catering created a magnificent spread, that not only looked perfect, but had the guests raving!









The amazing duo of Cindy Gold and Claudia Wong from Gold Wong Photography captured the essence of the day & evening perfectly. Their pictures are nearly as beautiful on the outside as they are on the inside. What a dream team to work with!







We ended the night with a decadent sweets table. A combination of candy and bite sized desserts for all- everyone was so eager to sample it, that we had to hold back the crowd just to get a few pictures!









We loved working with this amazing family, and I think this Mitzvah Project display gives you a little hint about who they are. Jake felt passionately that he wanted to do something to help a dog rescue or shelter, but he is too young to be allowed to officially volunteer. That didn't stop him. Instead, he called the local shelter, found out what they were in need of, and organized his own fundraiser in a local park! This display is a portion of what he, his family and his friends raised for the shelter! Great work Jake!!



Congratulations to this lovely Family! We get all warm and fuzzy inside when we think about your beautiful event. There was so much love in the room that night, and we feel honored to have been a small part of it!

Alec's Rock Mitzvah

Every once in awhile you meet a kid who seems wiser than his years. Such was our experience when we met Alec. He was bright, funny, creative, and he knew what he wanted as his Bar Mitzvah party theme: Music. Rock music, specifically. We set out to make his Rock-Mitzvah dreams come true and it was quite Rock-a-licious with these ultra cool, custom made and painted electric guitar centerpieces...







We dressed the adult cocktail tables in the same electric blue satin linens and placed a simple Phaleonopsis Orchid on each table. Orchids are such a versatile flower and never seem to come off too "girly".



Alec and his family treated their guests to a special favor: A CD of Alec's playlist- inspired by all of his classic rock favorites.



Even the guest seating cards carried the theme. For the adults, concert-style tickets had their name and seating assignment while the kids received "VIP back stage passes" to direct them to their seats.





A truly great party always contains a few ideas that come directly from the family. Alec's Mom, Debbie, and the very talented (and sweet) photographer, Leslie Talley put together one of the most beautiful "sign in" books we have ever seen. It was sleek, classy, and sentimental, adding an extra special memento that Alec will be able to look back on for years to come.





Our crafty side gets to play every time we do a gift box for a family. A simple wrapped box keeps the Bar Mitzvah's gift cards safe, and in one place until the end of the night.  We like how this one turned out:



Alec's Bar Mitzvah party was a magical event and we feel so honored that he and his family trusted us with their party vision. It was a fabulous collaboration and we couldn't have been happier for Alec and his family.



Congratulations Alec!!!

Sparkling Sweet

The very sweetest and most fulfilling part of our jobs is when we have clients come back to us for new events. Five years ago, I had the honor and pleasure of making Leah's Bat Mitzvah an evening that she would never forget. We created a theme based on her love of horses and the result was spectacular...



A few weeks ago, we got a call that Leah was turning 18 and wanted a fabulous party to celebrate the occasion. Her vision? A "Sparkle" themed party at home.


The view through the window in the front of the house and Leah's spectacular Sparkle Birthday Cake...


A crystal chandelier, lit with pink gels was just the right amount of sparkling detail.


Simple hurricane vases, filled with acrylic crystals, adorned with ribbon and rhinestones and set upon a mirrored charger were the perfect touch as centerpieces for our cocktail tables!


We even found a way to make our food trays sparkle!


Custom drinks to set the tone..."Leah's Sparkle Strawberry Soda" and Refreshing bottles of water...


Karen and her team at Trendy Tagz created custom dog tag party favors. The guests chose their designs and the Trendy Tag team assembled them- it was a complete hit of the party.


Perhaps the very best feature of all (and isn't it always?) was the Dessert Table. A bounty of cookies, sparkle crusted caramel apples, pecan tarts, and pink and silver candies glimmered along our custom sequin table runner on the dining room table. The opulent table called to the guests to be admired and consumed.

Leah...it was so joyful for us to be able to help make your 18th Birthday one that you will cherish forever.  We adore you and wish you the very best...and, yes, when the time comes, as promised, we'll do your wedding too!!! (Though, we're in no rush for that!!!)