For us, January is just as busy as December. It’s the month of birthdays! Aniston just turned two, Adalyn will be 4 next week, and well, we’re not going to talk about mine. Since it sneaks up so quickly after the holidays, I keep it simple. Just a few beautiful details and adaptations of our current decor. There are perks to having a winter birthday party! This year, I incorporated a few pieces of our Christmas decor as well as our recently transitioned January decor to create a slightly winter wonderland themed birthday party. I say slightly because I don’t like to do anything overly themed. Just a few touches to make it special. I was reminded of this when I was at Target last week and overheard a mom in the laundry aisle on her cell phone talking about how she was so overwhelmed preparing for her daughter’s birthday party and how it will never live up to Pinterest. It doesn’t have to be overwhelming or a Pinterest party. Aside from searching for the bird, I spent an hour preparing for Adalyn and Aniston’s party, and, from the look on their faces, they enjoyed every moment of it, and so did I!
Adalyn had a few requests – brownie cake, marshmallow cream, chocolate ice cream and cotton candy milk. Apparently the age of 4 is when you become opinionated. She’s a party planner at heart, and I loved her excitement and anticipation.
I took advantage of after Christmas sales and purchased a snowflake pan to make our own cake this year and it happened to make perfect portions! You haven’t seen a chocolate snowflake before? I dusted it with powdered sugar to give it a little snow effect and we served it with homemade marshmallow cream and chocolate ice cream. Yes, it was amazing. The girl has great taste!
Hot chocolate with snowflake stirrers {also an after Christmas clearance find} and flavored milk were served along with soft drinks. That’s worth having a birthday alone!
For lunch, I served bacon macaroni and cheese. If you haven’t made it yet, add it to your menu planning for next week. It’s easy, creamy and great for large groups.
As I previously mentioned, I kept decor to a minimum. I scoured the yard for fallen branches to create marshmallow trees – one for the entryway and another for the side board. I love it so much in my birch vase that I’m not sure I can replace the marshmallow covered branches with the red berries again. And the bird. I confess, I went to 6 Targets, and sent my sister and a friend on a bird hunt. Maybe I gravitated to the lil guy because he has the same hat as Adalyn and Ani? I don’t know, but thankfully a friend on Facebook had mercy on me {my friends and family} and loaned him to me.
If you aren’t comfortable at arranging flowers, a single stem in a bud vase always makes a statement. Just snip it a half in or so above the top of the vase for yet another quick & easy beautiful detail.
Marshmallows grow on trees in my dreams! Using a mix of large and small {fresh} marshmallows, I pushed them onto the end of stems, snipping some stems down to where they were sturdier to create a “blooming” tree.
I had planned to make marshmallow garland, but I was out of time and out of fishing line before Isla woke up. I made my peace with it and the girls didn’t mind at all.
I asked fellow blogger and calligrapher Madi Reid Sanders to create a Happy Birthday sign that I could frame in my kitchen vignette. It only takes one or two standout details to really make a party come alive.
To allow Chris and I to relax and enjoy every moment of the party, I enlisted our neighbor and babysitter to take coats, offer drinks, serve lunch, and dessert. I wanted to visit with our family that traveled to celebrate with us and just soak in every moment with the girls. I will never again host their birthday parties without. Honestly, I’m not sure why I didn’t think of it before! It may seem frivolous, but it was the best money I have spent in a long time.
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Love the marshmallow tree for winter!
It is the container that holds the branch that makes it special.
What do we have around home that would work? Look good? And be inexpensive? Help!
Happy holidays
For a vase? Any vase, bucket or vessel will do! Do you have an old copper or brass bucket?
Hello, just found your blog while reading Shabby FuFu. Your blog is wonderful too. Can you tell me where you found that adorable little bird with the hat and pompoms? Love the whimsical little guy. (From January 14, 2014) I was reviewing for my daughters January birthday. Thanks
Rebecca
Target has them at Christmas every year. Right now they have the birds dressed adorable for Valentine’s Day in the Valentine’s aisle.
Looks fabulous. I just got that pan but haven’t tried it yet. Do you have a recipe for the brownie snowflake cake?
Any of your favorite brownie recipes will do, just double it. Enjoy!
Yes, make and bake. I serve all desserts warm ????. Enjoy!
Love the snowflake cake..
Julie,
What is the brand of the snowflake pan with the perfect portions? Where do you get that particular pan? I just love it! Also just love your blog! You are sooo talented! Thanks for all the great ideas.
Blessings,
Arlyne
It’s Nordicware from Target {75% off!}, but it looks like several stores carry it. Thank you SO much! Enjoy!
I was TOTALLY just browsing your beautiful site and then somehow came to this post where I see you have a daughter named Adalyn! That’s actually a top contender on our baby girl names… LOVE it. It’s beautiful, just like your family is! Anyway, random comment I know, but just had to say hi. Have a great week!
Thanks Sarah for taking the time to say hi! Congratulations on your growing family! I hope you continue to find inspiration here. Best wishes to you!