Party on down: Theme


The theme is my favourite bit!  The key to working a good theme is attention to detail. The little-bitty-bits make the whole thing come together and add the wow factor. Unfortunately, little-bitty-bits are the things that catch on and become the latest fad - stripey straws / moustaches-on-sticks, anyone? So you need to think outside the square a little bit and make your party your very own.

Choosing a theme has always been left to my children. Hence, the recent random Harry party when Maxi was into Harry Potter for two seconds exactly around invitation sending time. To this day I am quite certain that the only thing he knows about Harry Potter is what he learnt at that party, but I digress. The point is, the theme was his choice and I do not judge. 

Themes can be tricky to pin down at the best of times. Prior to deciding on Harry we were working a Space theme and before that it was an Animal theme and before that he wanted everyone to come in black and bring a monkey soft toy. He's also had an Insect, Dinosaur and a Monster party in his time and instead of a baby shower we had a Jungle theme party that totally rocked.

See, if they're little or not born yet, you get free choice! Beware, though, one-ers and two-ers really just need a cake and not too much fuss - parties are overwhelming at the best of times and the poor bubba tends to spend the entire party in horrified tears being bounced from one person to another. But you can still create a memory moment without sacrificing their sanity: choose their favourite thing to stage the party around (a colour, a tv show, things in the sky, Beatrix Potter, whatever your little one seems to like), have the celebration in the early evening, do the cake straight after dinner, put the birthday baby to bed and let your hair down with your friends and family.

Okay, back to the theme... click through to see some of my favourite examples of themed parties. We'll be exploring ideas for some of these party themes in more detail in upcoming posts. Let me know if you're working a particular theme you want me to catch on with as we continue...

Classic faves


Superhero (and Supergirl)
Afternoon Tea
Under the Sea / Nautical / Pirates
Farm (and this one and Emma's too)
Dinosaur, not to mention Dinosaur with erupting volcano cake (Go Simoney!)
Pink
Critters
Monster
Harry Potter
Fairy, Fairy, Fairy and more Fairy!
Mermaid or here
Space
Jungle
Rainbow
Construction
Cowgirl (and Cowboy and again!)
Princess
Toy Story
Transformers

Something a little different
Breakfast
Camping
Mexican Fiesta
Secret Agents
Unbirthday
Mad Science
Vintage
Secret Garden
Spa Day
Royal Ball
Wizard of Oz
Zoo

Inspiration galore
Sweet Designs by Amy Atlas
Cake Events
Whimsy and Wise
P is for Party
The Tomkat Studio
Aesthetic Nest
Martha Stewart
Celebrations at Home
Hip Hip Hooray
One Charming Party

Next time: Invitations

Do you have a theme you want me to explore in depth? Please let me know!