When we asked Nathan how he wanted his birthday party to be, without a doubt, while holding his Thomas and Percy and James, he said, "THOMAS THE TRAIN!" And so the research and preparation began...
This thing about party planning for us is to have (must-have):
(1) an invite
(2) a door gift
(3) an activity
(4) decoration (back drop/ photobook inclusive)
(5) cake
(6) food
And, it must be within a theme.
It is important to have a theme (I think I mentioned a year back when I did Phoebe's full month) because it made everything easier, you have a direction and you just keep within it.
(1) Invitation card
It is never too difficult because you just have to google free printables for ____. You can get almost every kind of themes. From invite to food labels, bottle labels, banners to gift tags (some even gift bags!), you have it already! Just put in the words and details, tadang! You are done!
(2) door gift
I just like the idea of leaving an event or party with something to remember and the item must be useful.
Nathan's first birthday, we had a keychain station which allowed guests to make their own personalized keychains using shrinking film. Phoebe's full month was shower sponge and when she was one, we gave bottle/vase with chalked front and chalks.
Phoebe's first birthday door gifts
This time, we took some time to decide.. Wanted to give conductor's whistle but couldn't find, small craft train sets are a bit childish.. Thank God for Muji! Muji sells tote bags in many sizes. I used their A4 and A3 ones to make personalized bags for colleagues and students before. This round we chose the smallest one and stamped+drew on them. We attempted to make it look like the Thomas and friends logo. Hahaha..
These were for his classmates, with a set of magic colour pens in them. Nathan distributed these during his school celebration. :)
For those attending the party, we set up a "baggage claim" counter. Guests can take a bag and personalize it with the stamps and fabric markers!
(3) activity
Usually, I'll try to incorporate it with the door gift. In this case, I think the adults are well entertained with the bags. For kids, I fully understand that parties when not in an indoor playground, can be boring sometimes.. Also, this time, we are using the communal hall under our block (only $20 for a full day!) , there is no tables and chairs.
So firstly, to settle the inconvenience of children being unable to eat holding a plate like adults, we wrapped boxes with brown paper to make small tables! Also to use it as decoration, calling them crates! Hahaha crates at a train station, make sense?
We also placed some crayons in an ikea cup (I love Ikea) and coloring sheets. The kids were well entertained colouring away I think. Hahaha.. Again the colouring sheets must be within the theme ah!
We also set up a make shift "cinema" which we called it "Rest Stop" and screened some Christian Children MTVs.
Feedback from parents was positive as they could comfortably have their meals and chat with other friends.
To make the corner cosy, we also brought our carpet and kiddy chairs!
This time, Elvin and I decided to make "real" trains for Nathan!
Don't worry, these are not difficult. Just VERY time consuming. Basically, just get big boxes and cut them. Instead of painting like what most people would, please please please just wrap it with the correct shade of paper. If u paint it, most probably it will stain your hand and clothes even when dried. For best effect, cutting solid shapes to get the design is the best. You don't have to worry about uneven brushes. As for the face, I was thinking if I wanted to paint it or cut shapes to piece it, BUT I realised Nathan could identify which face belongs to which character when they looked so similar. So I'm not gonna try. Elvin printed the faces and we just stuck it on! Initially we wanted to add a sling/strap but decided not to because it may be too heavy for the kids.
We also made a railway station using our rattan partition. And made a signboard "Nathan Railway". It is now hanging in Nathan's room and he totally loves it!
For the tracks, black duct tape and brown tape are all you need! :) easy and nice!
As for the cake table, we just simply put out the train set and place the "trucks" on. :)
Okok this entry is too long and I'm falling asleep. Let's just end with one photo of the three big boys who attempted to put on the trains' face.
Be entertained! :)
P/s: this is an add on. I don't like cakes that need to be cut to distribute.. so it's always individual portion kinda cakes. So cupcakes will always be my top choice!
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