Back in September we celebrated our daughter's 1st birthday- ladybug style!
Once I selected a party theme, I searched and searched for affordable decoration options. I'm not crafty, so making the decorations myself was not an option. After comparing different online party sites, I ordered most of the party decorations (including plates, napkins, party hats, decorations, etc.) online from birthdaypartydirect.com.
The black garland decoration I picked up at Walmart and I painted the ladybug in the center.
Staying with the theme, I made these ladybug cracker appetizer. The rest of the menu included from scratch potato soup, turkey chili, Hawaiian roll turkey sandwiches, chicken salad, and a veggie tray. Simple and stress free.
The guest of honor was outfitted in an Etsy personalized birthday onsie ($10), Etsy ladybug hair clip ($2.50), a tutu made by me ($5), black pants she already had in her closet, and ladybug shoes I found at Walmart ($6).
For me, one of the most important parts of a party is the cake! When we were considering who would make the cake, we visited a local (well-known) cake store. I had seen pictures of their beautiful cakes on facebook and was pretty sure we would have them make our cake. Well, that was until they told us how much they charged... oh my word! For a two layer cake, 8 inch round on bottom and 6 inch round on top, we were quoted $87!! That is a tiny cake people! Needless to say, we passed!
A few days later my mom was getting her hair done and asked her hair dresser for cake recommendations- oddly enough she suggested IGA (a grocery store)! And for $30 bucks we got a half sheet cake! I couldn't have been happier with the way it turned out!
They also made this adorable smash cake for $5!
Note: The ladybug came to us perfectly intact, Eden just decided to stick her finger in its eye. :)
For party favors we had ladybug cookies made and we packaged them up individually for guests to take home ( $0.75 per cookie favor, including packaging). Also, a few weeks before the party I started saving Eden's baby food jars. I painted the outside red, lines each lid with a ribbon, printed and glued on"ladybug kisses" labels, and filled each jar with Hershey Kisses.
Everyone had a great time and we didn't have to spend a lot of money. :)