Creating an Instagram worthy party table without spending a fortune!

Here at Party Box by Design, we love a traditional home birthday party and believe that fun, above everything else, should be at the centre of every children’s party. What’s more fun than creating a fabulous themed birthday surprise for your child, with love, and without spending a fortune.

Mrs. B, otherwise known as Becky (Mum of three), does just that at least three times a year. From a penguin theme for her daughter, Imogen, to a tractor party for son William, and Harry Potter for eldest daughter Lydia, Mrs. B has shown she can turn her hand to any theme, but it’s her recent Toy Story themed party for William that really caught our eye.

Start with a theme

Mrs. B is a great example of choosing a theme and keeping things simple by concentrating on one area to make a big impact. Buy a few, well-chosen themed items, and then use what you have and make what you can. You really don’t have to spend a fortune. A fabulous looking table makes a great centrepiece and is an ideal backdrop for taking photos but remember the real fun comes from the little touches, the party games, and spending time with friends and family.

Tableware is a great starting point for any theme, and pretty much everything can be built around it. It also lays the basis for the colour scheme. Mrs. B used a Toy Story themed tablecloth along with plates, cups, and napkins, and made everything else to match – even that fabulous cake!

We don’t want to give away all her tricks, but here are a few tips to get you started. You’ll be amazed at what you can create!

Mrs B’s top tips for a backdrop

The eye-catching backdrop is made from backing paper, (the stuff teachers use to back display boards with), the clouds sketched by hand and cut from ordinary paper, and the lettering printed off and stuck on. If you’re not confident sketching, just google cloud templates, and you’ll be sure to find something to give you a little help. Fabric is also great for making backdrops as it’s pretty inexpensive and hangs well. You don’t have to be a master seamstress; just hand sew a simple top pocket, using any kind of stitching, and thread through some string to hang your backdrop with. If the long edges need tidying up, you can hand sew a pocket on each side too. Free apps like Canva are fabulous for creating lettering, logos, and images for both your backdrop and other items on your party table.

Try your hand at a balloon garland

A balloon garland is an easy way to add height and colour. Balloon garland kits are available from places like eBay, and Amazon and if you’re only making a small garland, they are pretty easy to do. Mrs. B’s garland was put together from balloons in the theme colours and balloon garland tape (both were bought separately; neither cost a fortune). If, on the other hand, you’re looking for big structures or placing balloons outside, we’d definitely recommend leaving it to the professionals, but it won’t be cheap.

A cake makes a fab table centrepiece

Mrs. B describes herself as an amateur baker but looking at that cake, and the many others she’s created, we’d say she’s far from amateur. What a centrepiece! But here’s a little secret, as this party took place during lockdown, only the bottom layer is cake. What a fab trick! If your baking skills aren’t up to Mrs. B’s standards, we know ours aren’t, Tesco has an amazing range of themed cakes. If the cake is your centrepiece, add some height like Mrs. B as that really makes a difference. Make a themed stand for your cake to sit on and add a cake topper.

For more inspiration, follow Mrs. B on Instagram and check out her blog.
http://www.mrsbmummyofthree.co.uk/

For more top party tips, sign up for my free kids party planning guide – just click here.
And to discuss party ideas, tableware, decorations, and party bags to match your theme  drop me a line, I’d love to help out!