Simple Celebration - for under $100!

I love planning elaborate celebrations centered around unique themes and pouring over every tiny detail.  But for Liv's 2nd birthday I decided to go a different direction and see what I could pull off with relatively minimal planning, keeping it simple, and under $100.  Yep, that's right... I did it all for just $94.66 to be exact!

I started with a primary color pallet and committed to traditional birthday party fair like balloons, curling ribbon, party hats, bunting, and crepe paper streamers. 

I designed the party invitation to be post card size, so I saved on postage, envelopes, and printing.

Guests were greeted at the front door with a balloon wreath and the birthday cutie's face.  I thought this iteration of the custom cupcake picks I sell in my shop was so fun, I'm selling it in my Etsy shop now!

The highlight of the party was the ice cream sandwich bar! I set the stage with precisely hung crepe paper streamers on the wall and front of the table. Eight boxes of ice cream sandwiches I got on BOGO at my Publix were more than enough to make the two layer "cake" I stacked on the cake stand I made myself (have you ever purchased a birthday cake to feed 20+ for $19.56?!).  A DIY "2" cake topper finished it off perfectly! 

Also on the table were four plates of toppings to roll the ice cream sandwiches in.  We had mini M&Ms, mini chocolate chips, multicolor sprinkles, and coconut flakes. 

Last but not least, were the milk shots rimmed with chocolate syrup and multicolor nonpareills.  All the details and "how to" for the backdrop, cake stand, and cake topper coming soon!

Party hats are an easy project to make that really personalize the party.  I made these from scrapbook paper, rick rack, and crepe paper pom-poms.  The birthday girl got a special glittery 2 on hers of course!  I also decorated a little stool for the birthday girl to sit on to open presents.

Even though this party was a really traditional birthday theme, I always like to incorporate little touches that make the party unique to the guest of honor, this Birthday Girl photo stand showcasing pictures throughout the year did just that.

So there you have it... a simple celebration that was creative, fun, and didn't break the bank!