Paddington Bear Kids Birthday Parties In Your Future? See Paddington Movie in 2010

We are so excited about the Paddington Bear movie coming out in 2010, as he is one of our all-time favorite children’s characters.  (I still have my little stuffed Paddington bear I received as a kid).  Loved worldwide, Paddington Bear’s story is that of an immigrant arriving in London and trying to find a home and a family. Wearing his signature Wellington boots, he sports a label around his neck saying “Please Look After This Bear. Thank You.” Next year’s Paddington’s movie release is sure to endear another generation to Paddington.  The movie will draw from all 11 of the Paddington books written by Michael Bond.

While we haven’t seen too much hype about it yet, we’re sensing some adorable Paddington kids’ birthday parties will be taking place over the next couple years.  A children’s tea party in a garden sounds like a super cute Paddington-esque theme to us.  Or, taking a group of kids to see the Paddington movie will be a great time as well.  In the meantime, check out one of our favorite Paddington Bear titles Paddington Bear in the Garden.

Birthday Party Ideas, Inspiration Collage Board

We love the Birthday Girl Blog and the way she laid out these different images to help conjure up a birthday party theme.  This is such a fun way to think creatively about birthday party plans.  This inspiration board for a first birthday winter “one-derland” with a pale blue, winter snow theme is just lovely.

Birthday Girl: party inspiration board: winter wonderland.

Old Fashioned Cowboy Birthday Party For 1st Birthday and Kids

Throwing a cowboy birthday party for your child is an absolute blast. A cowboy theme, with its vintage fun, western wear and decorative options is fun and easy to put together. Imagine making “wanted” posters with the faces of the guests. We think it’s a great theme for both cowboys and cowgirls, so grab your hat and let’s ride!

Cowboy Invitations

A great cowboy invitation helps set the tone for your event. Think cacti, barndancing, cowboy boots, lassos, and of course cowboy hats. It’s a common theme for a 1st birthday party, but we think it works for any age (kids and adults!) so you can adjust the style if it’s cowboy invites for a 1st Birthday or for older kids and adults. A photo of the little buckaroo in a cowboy shirt also makes an adorable invitation. You’ll can also find wonderful wild west vintage illustrations that older guests will love.

Cowboy Party Supplies

One of the great things about a cowboy party theme is that it sets a casual tone, and no fussy food or decorations are expected. Consider outfitting all of your guests with red kerchiefs or bandannas. They are relatively inexpensive, but will add a cowboy flair even if people don’t dress the part.

You’ll also find packs of cowboy party supplies such as the
Cowboy 1st Birthday Classic Pack for 8 for groups of 8 or 16 guests that include cowboy party hats, cups, plates and balloons in one package. These usually run between $30 and $40 dollars.

Cowboy Decorations

If you can host the party outside, blankets and hay bales make fun outdoor seating under the trees. Serving buffet style on picnic tables is as fancy as you need to get.

We love these Cowboy Giant Wall Decals that can be used as party decorations and then become part of the cowboy or cowgirl’s bedroom decor when the party’s over.

Country and western music, along the lines of “Happy Trails” is both kitschy and fun. You may want to provide water guns for a shootout. On the other hand, if you decide not to host your cowboy party at home, you could combine the party with a trip to a horse stable, and horseback riding for older children.

For other cowboy games, we like other vintage activities like playing jacks, cards, tops or marbles that can also serve as party favors.

Cowboy Food

Ah, the birthday chuckwagon. Luckily, preparing food for hungry cowboys and cowgirls is pretty straightforward. Options like grilled burgers, sloppy joes, baked beans, tortilla chips and corn on the cob go over well. The idea of the cowgirls and cowboys drinking juice from their canteens is cute too. Have old fashioned taffy and candies add to the vintage feel.

A cowboy birthday cake can take many forms. There are cake pan molds in the shape of cowboy boots or hats that make an impressive cake.   As one idea, check out this Horseshoe Cake Pan. A sheet cake with sheriff stars and rope-like swirl decorations is sure to be a hit as well.

Where the Wild Things Are 1st Birthday Party: Wild Rumpus Birthday!!

We’ve been so thrilled by the gorgeous home birthday parties we’ve been seeing lately for both kids and adults.   This one, from the Hostess With the Mostess (hwtm) blog really stood out as an adorable first birthday party idea beautifully executed.  Using Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are as a party theme, she combined purchased reusable paper decorations, homemade items and a sweet costume from Etsy. We loved the colors and the creativity involved from decorating fallen tree branches with die cut leaf decorations and pretty wrapping paper as a table runner.  She had a delicious array of kid-friendly healthy foods like cut fruits, apple sauce and popcorn balls.

REAL PARTIES: “Wild Rumpus” Birthday.

Yo Gabba Gabba 1st Birthday Party Supplies, Ideas

We loved this at-home 1st birthday celebration featuring a Gabba pinata with fabulous handcrafted decorations.  They used cost-effective but colorful solutions throughout the party that really brought the Yo Gabba Gabba theme to life.

“The centerpieces were made with plastic disposable cups filled with pinto beans and covered in colorful Gabba colors and balloons.”

Check out Cristian’s party pics: Cristian’s First Birthday! | Gabba Friends.

Also, we came across a nice selection of Yo Gabba Gabba birthday supplies over at Celebrate Express.

We think the Yo Gabba Gabba! Invitations (8) are really cute and festive.

Also getting rave reviews are the Yo Gabba Gabba! Giant Wall Decals. What’s fabulous is that they’re easy on and off the wall. You can decorate for a party and then reuse them as decorations in your child’s bedroom.

Finally, these Yo Gabba Gabba! Sticker Sheets (4) are a nice addition to a party favor bag, as decorations, or game prizes.  They’re highly colorful and of course stickers are always a hit.