It’s time for a birthday!  Your kid’s birthday!  Take a deep breath momma! It’s going to be okay!

I could have driven myself crazy this past weekend with nervous energy about having just the right mix of things for my daughter’s fourth birthday party.

I spent hours contemplating that centerpiece on the right.  I found the base at the local Goodwill and added fairy flower lights that I found on Amazon.I used even more brain power on the placement of every butterfly on the twinkling lights for the support post in our living room.  And I did all of this to only get one comment on the decor.

Create a simple a menu.  For example, we had two choices of sandwiches.  Peanut butter and jelly or honey and cheese.  Instead of chips, we popped popcorn in a large pot on the stove.  (Nothing tastes as good as popcorn popped in a little vegetable oil.) Add a bit of cut up fruit, juice and milk.  And you’ve got a nutritious but filling, toddler friendly meal.

For a bit of entertainment for the parents and kiddos alike, I created a photo booth!  Photo booths are all the rage. And here’s what you need to make a budget friendly photo booth:

• Wall Space
• Plastic rectangle tablecloth
• 1 Happy Birthday Banner
• thumbtacks

These items can be found at your local dollar store.  So for $3 you have an instant back drop for silly, zany pictures for the preschool set.

After the princess party mayhem, I find myself chuckling because I realized that I did it all the contemplating, stressing and decorating for myself. The real hit of the party was the kids being together and enjoying each other’s company.  Younger kids just want to play.  So a playground with sandwiches or a house party with toys is just as good as the local “jumper” playground.

 

Decorations & Favors

• Dazzling Metallic Star Wands
• Welcome Princesses Sign
• Acrylic Gems
• Dimmable Twinkle Lights
• Mini Carriage Treat Boxes
• Sandwich cutters
• Princess tatoos