I don’t think it should be a natural amalgam. A one year old’s dotey little jelly ‘n’ icecream, buttercream sandwich with just one candle and Peppa cards to be automatically combined with images of Freddie Crougar, zombie werewolves (as if a zombie or indeed a werewolf alone are not frightening enough) and the devil. Dressing my children up as Satan for her first birthday? One of those traditions that is completely ACCEPTABLE in Irish catholic society on 31st October. Again, I wonder. No question mark.
I thrive on ironies however. Cultures and their quirks crack me up. Here we have another oh so crazy acceptance. Therefore we embraced it ourselves. Why not?
We went FULL Halloween for our baby’s first birthday.
We had a cake on the actual day, see Baby Betsy is One. We had the combo slightly inappropriate, but well seasoned and nicely timed, themed party on Sunday 30th. Mass day.
Any tips from this Mammy of a Halloween baby on how to party? Sure.
Try…
- Salad and Meat. My first tip is feed the adults with something you can pick at all day. October is a hungry month. I had sliced up some joints (heehee) turkey, ham and beef (call them Sliced Irish man, English man and Scotsman if you will). We had a selection of salads. There is nothing scarier than a salad for dinner so bang on theme.
- Think Yucky for Snacks that are Yummy to Eat.
Face only visible if you look down on the platter. Otherwise it looked like a badly presented pile o’ citrus. With help from the Internet guru of the millennium, we did fun things with fruit.
Who can resist a puking watermelon with wonky eyes? - Party Games Need No Explanation. Halloween party games need no extra thinking. They have been on the go for decades!
Bobbing for apples, biting hanging apples and Mummy wrapping in toilet paper cannot fail to amuse. If all else fails: bubbles.
-
Weather Will Be On Your Side. .. If I were planning an August party, it would rain. Gigi’s Easter party did rain. I had no extra bouncy castles for fear of wind or other amusements.
The kids got on bikes and went outside for hours, wrapped in coats and woolies frolicking to the backdrop of the autumnal perfection of gold, russet and brown.
- Decorations. It is so easy just to go for it.
Handmade or bought, Halloween decorations can be cheap, cheerful and effective. Ours came from ‘Designer’ cost effective stores such as Jimmy’s and Dealz.
- Fun with Food. I mentioned the fruit already. Now we have the cookies, cakes and all things sugary.
Eyeballs and dismembered fingers…first birthday fun??!! So much trickery can be done with these.
- Halloween Hits! Cheese central. Cannot go wrong.
Monster Mash. Ghost busters theme. Thriller.
Rocking party for the little people. Costumes aplenty, face paints and fried chicken will bring you much party pleasantry.
Betsy loved her soiree. Mutant school children, vampires and devils alike. She was a dainty little ladybug. Smiling all day long! Mammy and Daddy put their feet up when all the little monsters went to bed. Partying for little people is tough work for parents. I happily ate several gingerbread people (unisex, equal rights) alive. Snap!
I hope she grows up to love Halloween! Great job on the party
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you😊I hope she does too. She might tire if it!!
LikeLike
You can certainly always do dress up parties at least
LikeLiked by 1 person
Looks like an awesome party!!! #bigpinklink
LikeLike
It worked out pretty well😊#bigpinklink
LikeLiked by 1 person
oh I love that watermelon, some cool ideas there! #bigpinklink
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was very popular! #bigpinklink
LikeLike
Oh how fabulous! One of my daughter’s friends is a Halloween babe too and always has a Halloween party. I love your theme ideas! Thanks for linking up with the #bigpinklink
LikeLike
What lovely photos from the birthday preparations. Children love the tactile and touch and feel everything. One of my sisters on her birthday used to love to grab the flowers on top of the cake and eat them while we waited for our turn. It was funny to watch. Happy writing to you. ^__^
LikeLiked by 1 person
The prep was the best fun! Thank you for your comments
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure. ^__^
LikeLike
I love the puking watermelon what a great idea! Some great tips here xx
LikeLike
What a fun party! I loved the watermelon and the birthday cake and the decs! The birthday baby looked adorable too! 🙂 👻👻🐞🐞🐞🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃
LikeLike
Such cute ideas! One of my good friend’s daughter’s birthday is in October and her party is always so fun!
LikeLiked by 1 person
A great party month. Great party food month too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love the watermelon!
LikeLiked by 1 person
He is pretty groovy alright😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for this! My coworker is helping to plan her nieces 1st birthday Halloween party so Im totally showing this to her.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah that is great! Glad my madness can easily of use😊
LikeLike
Orla this looks like such fun!!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is. We did it again this year too. Might get traditional!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think you should make it your family thing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is absolutely brilliant! I love all the food. I’m absolutely gutted I don’t have an Autumn child now quite frankly.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You can work it to any season I think…kind of! !
LikeLiked by 1 person
That looks absolute fun and frolic….even in creating themes for halloween parties, there can be so much enjoyment……nice post..:)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
How lovely I am sure the kids loved it and the watermelon is awesome 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you,,it was ‘deadly’ 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Salad=scary! Love it. The watermelon, I think, is my favorite. I don’t have a one-year old party to plan, but I do have a little dinner party. And I see no reason NOT to try your suggestions with 30 and 40 somethings too! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely! ! The watermelon is a hit at all parties.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Looks like a great party. Must have been fun!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was lovely😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
How Great! My favorite party to plan is my kiddos first! Everyone says I’m crazy for going all out, but this isn’t just about celebrating them, this one is about celebrating family, and hey, let’s get real this is the only one where I have full choice of theme! 😉
Love your playful spooky theme!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good stuff, I was equally discouraged from going all out but have no regrets 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
This still makes me giggle – I look forward to hearing about more inappropriate children’s party themes soon!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a load of amazing ideas, decorations and foods! I don’t blame you for having so much fun with your little one’s awesomely-timed birth date, happy times and fantastic memories!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That was all so creative of you. I love what you did with the fruit. Everyone must have had a lovely time!
LikeLiked by 1 person
They loved it!
LikeLike
Loving this, but missed the BUYB feeds to comment over the weekend– shared link on my reg feature Monday Magic – this week Inspiring posts for Halloween! Claire
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much! You are very kind 😊😊
LikeLike
Ha! I LOVE the watermelon fruit platter, magnificent!
LikeLike