Click the links (below) for celebration info, activities, ideas, and recipes. (I've sorted everything by when the events occur in a calendar year.)
HOLIDAY CELEBRATION tips, tricks, recipes and ideas
DIY details make holiday celebrations special and memorable. I love all things EASY and INEXPENSIVE, so today, I am sharing some of my best tips, tricks, recipes, and ideas for simple and fun holiday celebrations.
Click the links (below) for celebration info, activities, ideas, and recipes. (I've sorted everything by when the events occur in a calendar year.)
Click the links (below) for celebration info, activities, ideas, and recipes. (I've sorted everything by when the events occur in a calendar year.)
DIY Party THEMES
Every party needs a theme to tie everything together, don't you think? When picking a party theme, you need to consider why you are having the party, and if there is a guest of honour, you can select a theme based on his/her interests. Today, I am sharing some of my favourite party themes... and links to many EASY and INEXPENSIVE DIY party plans and details.
Check out the fun party themes below (in alphabetical order):
Bowling party - This is a great theme for older kids who don't want to sit still. Head to a bowling alley, and add a few DIY details for a special bowling party your guests will love.
Cars party - Little kids love cars and trucks, and this simple cars party doesn't disappoint. The race track cake is simple and adorable, and the DIY details make the party really special. The checkered duct tape decor is my favourite.
Camping party - A camping party theme is a perfect for kids of all ages and works at any time of the year. I love the simplicity and DIY signage used for this party. You can read all the super simple DIY details for our camping party here.
Carnival party - What could be more fun than a carnival party packed with simple games and sugary treats? I love the FREE printable red and white signs that tie everything together.
Christmas (Grinch) movie night - A holiday movie night is a great way to celebrate the Christmas season. Find all the info for Grinch decor, food, and party favors here.
Circus party - Clowns, games, and treats are plentiful at this circus party. I love the bright colours and the simple carousel cake.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid Movie Night - The highlights of this party are: a fun movie, a simple game, a photo booth, and lots of treats. Kids of all ages will love this Diary of a Wimpy Kid Movie Night.
First day of school - I love this simple back to school celebration. The easy decor, back to school buffet (with free printable tags), and dollar store party favors are all super-cute!
Golf party - This is the perfect "simple" party for the golf fan. Mini golfing or regular golfing can be the entertainment, and these easy cupcakes are totally adorable. Find all the easy DIY details here.
Graduation party - Graduations are important milestones, and they deserve to be celebrated with unique food, decor and party favors. This party includes many budget-friendly ideas for photo props, personalized decorations, and punny party favors.
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Harry Potter party - This is the perfect party for a Harry Potter fan. This party is packed with unique details that will delight all the party guests. I'm loving the 9 3/4 magical entrance, magic wands made from dowels, Honeyduke's sweet shop, free printable spell books and quills, and simple DIY cakes.
Harry Potter movie night - Movies nights at home are a great way to spend time with family and friends. This simple celebration is filled with DIY details that will make it extra fun.
Jake and the Neverland Pirates party - Everyone loves pirates and treasure hunts, and this party is full of magical DIY details that will transport party guests to Neverland and beyond. The pixie dust, party signage, pirate hooks, and impressive cakes are perfection!
Hockey party - Hockey moms (and any sport parent) will love this simple hockey party. The cakes are awesome, and the simple DIY decor and themed party food are sure to impress.
Ice cream party - Summer is the perfect occasion to plan a simple ice cream party... but kids will love this party any time of year. I adore the simple decor and unique homemade ice cream treat ideas.
LEGO party - This is the ultimate party for LEGO lovers. The decor is colourful, fun, and interactive... and there are wonderful games and activities. I love the cookie decorating station, the LEGO balloon tennis, and the simple cakes.
Monkey party - This is the perfect theme for a first birthday party. The yellow and red colour scheme is fun, the snacks are simple and suitable for pint-sized guests, the cake is adorable, and I can't get enough of the monkey party favours.
Movie party - Movie parties are wonderful for all ages, and they are a great way to entertain a large number of guests. I love the idea of an outdoor movie, and the little containers of candy at the "concession stand" are brilliant!
Music party - A dance party filled with wonderful music and karaoke is perfect for kids. I love the backstage passes, the guitar cookie decorating station, and the drum cake topped with lollipops.
NERF party - An epic NERF battle is a great way to celebrate a birthday. Active kids will love the battle, fun food, NERF target, free signs, and cute treat bags!
Olympic party - Transforming your yard into an Olympic colosseum is a great way to entertain active kids. Kids can play games, design their own medals, and feast on a simple Olympic themed cake.
Pirate party - Pint-sized pirates will love this simple pirate party. Kids can design their own telescopes and make their own pirate jewels. The cake is pretty cute too!
Pool party - A pool party has never looked so cute! I love the themed games, prize punches, pool noodle decor, shark photo prop, and fun food ideas.
Sledding party - This sledding party is simple... and the hot chocolate bar is fantastic. I love the FREE sign for the table.
Spy party - This is a wonderful theme for a party. The decor is simple and impressive, and the games are original and fun. I love the dynamite "hot potato" and the "pin the disguise on the spy" games.
Star Wars party - Star Wars fans are plentiful, and the force is strong with this party. The pool noodle light sabres and death star piñata are easy to make, and they are guaranteed to please your young Jedi guests.
Super Hero party - This party invites guests to enrol in a super hero training academy and become a super hero. The homemade "no sew" capes and foam super hero masks could not be cuter!
Tea party - Everyone loves a tea party. Guests will feast on simple party food while they create adorable tea party themed crafts.
Western party - Cowboy fans will love this simple western party. Guests can make their own Sheriff badges and create their own "most wanted" posters.
The DIY details make these parties expensive, and they are all easy and inexpensive. Is there a party theme you would like to see that is missing from my list? Share it below, and maybe I'll create something fun to share with you soon!
♥
Check out the fun party themes below (in alphabetical order):
Bowling party - This is a great theme for older kids who don't want to sit still. Head to a bowling alley, and add a few DIY details for a special bowling party your guests will love.
Cars party - Little kids love cars and trucks, and this simple cars party doesn't disappoint. The race track cake is simple and adorable, and the DIY details make the party really special. The checkered duct tape decor is my favourite.
Camping party - A camping party theme is a perfect for kids of all ages and works at any time of the year. I love the simplicity and DIY signage used for this party. You can read all the super simple DIY details for our camping party here.
Carnival party - What could be more fun than a carnival party packed with simple games and sugary treats? I love the FREE printable red and white signs that tie everything together.
Christmas (Grinch) movie night - A holiday movie night is a great way to celebrate the Christmas season. Find all the info for Grinch decor, food, and party favors here.
Circus party - Clowns, games, and treats are plentiful at this circus party. I love the bright colours and the simple carousel cake.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid Movie Night - The highlights of this party are: a fun movie, a simple game, a photo booth, and lots of treats. Kids of all ages will love this Diary of a Wimpy Kid Movie Night.
First day of school - I love this simple back to school celebration. The easy decor, back to school buffet (with free printable tags), and dollar store party favors are all super-cute!
Golf party - This is the perfect "simple" party for the golf fan. Mini golfing or regular golfing can be the entertainment, and these easy cupcakes are totally adorable. Find all the easy DIY details here.
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Harry Potter party - This is the perfect party for a Harry Potter fan. This party is packed with unique details that will delight all the party guests. I'm loving the 9 3/4 magical entrance, magic wands made from dowels, Honeyduke's sweet shop, free printable spell books and quills, and simple DIY cakes.
Harry Potter movie night - Movies nights at home are a great way to spend time with family and friends. This simple celebration is filled with DIY details that will make it extra fun.
Jake and the Neverland Pirates party - Everyone loves pirates and treasure hunts, and this party is full of magical DIY details that will transport party guests to Neverland and beyond. The pixie dust, party signage, pirate hooks, and impressive cakes are perfection!
Hockey party - Hockey moms (and any sport parent) will love this simple hockey party. The cakes are awesome, and the simple DIY decor and themed party food are sure to impress.
Ice cream party - Summer is the perfect occasion to plan a simple ice cream party... but kids will love this party any time of year. I adore the simple decor and unique homemade ice cream treat ideas.
LEGO party - This is the ultimate party for LEGO lovers. The decor is colourful, fun, and interactive... and there are wonderful games and activities. I love the cookie decorating station, the LEGO balloon tennis, and the simple cakes.
Monkey party - This is the perfect theme for a first birthday party. The yellow and red colour scheme is fun, the snacks are simple and suitable for pint-sized guests, the cake is adorable, and I can't get enough of the monkey party favours.
Movie party - Movie parties are wonderful for all ages, and they are a great way to entertain a large number of guests. I love the idea of an outdoor movie, and the little containers of candy at the "concession stand" are brilliant!
Music party - A dance party filled with wonderful music and karaoke is perfect for kids. I love the backstage passes, the guitar cookie decorating station, and the drum cake topped with lollipops.
NERF party - An epic NERF battle is a great way to celebrate a birthday. Active kids will love the battle, fun food, NERF target, free signs, and cute treat bags!
Olympic party - Transforming your yard into an Olympic colosseum is a great way to entertain active kids. Kids can play games, design their own medals, and feast on a simple Olympic themed cake.
Pirate party - Pint-sized pirates will love this simple pirate party. Kids can design their own telescopes and make their own pirate jewels. The cake is pretty cute too!
Pool party - A pool party has never looked so cute! I love the themed games, prize punches, pool noodle decor, shark photo prop, and fun food ideas.
Sledding party - This sledding party is simple... and the hot chocolate bar is fantastic. I love the FREE sign for the table.
Spy party - This is a wonderful theme for a party. The decor is simple and impressive, and the games are original and fun. I love the dynamite "hot potato" and the "pin the disguise on the spy" games.
Star Wars party - Star Wars fans are plentiful, and the force is strong with this party. The pool noodle light sabres and death star piñata are easy to make, and they are guaranteed to please your young Jedi guests.
Super Hero party - This party invites guests to enrol in a super hero training academy and become a super hero. The homemade "no sew" capes and foam super hero masks could not be cuter!
Tea party - Everyone loves a tea party. Guests will feast on simple party food while they create adorable tea party themed crafts.
Western party - Cowboy fans will love this simple western party. Guests can make their own Sheriff badges and create their own "most wanted" posters.
The DIY details make these parties expensive, and they are all easy and inexpensive. Is there a party theme you would like to see that is missing from my list? Share it below, and maybe I'll create something fun to share with you soon!
♥
Gina Bell
(Mom and Amateur Party Planner)
(Mom and Amateur Party Planner)
DIY CAKES For Every Party Theme
I am not a professional cake decorator, but I enjoy making simple DIY cakes for my family celebrations. I love when my homemade cakes match perfectly with my party theme, don't you? So, today I am sharing more than 20 easy-to-make cakes that are sure to impress party guests and add an element of fun to your next party.
Bowling Party Cake - These cakes are super cute, and they allow you to have two different flavours of cake for party guests. Carve a bowling pin from a rectangular cake and a bowling ball from a round cake. Apply a crumb coat, refrigerate until the crumb coat is firm, frost with white and chocolate icing, and add embellishments (m&ms and red icing).
Camping Cakes - Bake cakes and then add cookie logs and froot roll up flames. These cakes are simple, but super cute!
Cars Party Cake - Start with two 8" round cakes. Then, create a track using chocolate icing tinted with black food colouring. Fill in the "grass" with green icing, and add some yellow jelly beans for the lines in the road. Finish with two race car "dinkies" and a small checkered flag taped to the top of a toothpick.
Circus Party Cake - Bake and frost a regular, round (double layer) cake. Then, use straws, a paper carousal top, and some animal cracker cookies to create a simple carousel cake.
Easter Party Cake - This cake is super-simple! Bake and frost a regular, double-layer cake. Then, use candy-covered chocolate mini eggs to trim the cake, and add a chocolate bunny to the top.
Father's Day Cake - Transform a simple sheet cake with a little imagination and 4 boxes of Reeses Pieces. The kids can help with the decorating too!
Generic Skittles Cake For any Party Theme - To make number cakes, start with basic cakes (round or square... depending on the number you are making). Then, carve the cakes, cover with icing, and decorate with Skittles. It's a time-consuming process, but the result is stunning!
Harry Potter Party Cakes - To make a quidditch cake: Make a regular cake, and add goal posts made from straws, electrical tape, and pipe cleaners. Finish with a golden snitch made from a chocolate wrapped in gold foil with wax paper wings. (And for a touch of colour, you can finish by adding some "every flavour beans" to the bottom of the cake. To make a crest cake: Start with a basic rectangular sheet cake, and carve it into the shape of a crest. Do a crumb coat, cover the cake with yellow icing, pipe on some red trim, and then I added some fun "Harry Potter" items -- a fruit roll-up scar, a foil wrapped golden snitch, some every flavour beans, and a chocolate frog. To make a replica of the cake Hagrid made for Harry: use pink icing to frost the cake, and green icing to pipe the words "Happee Birthdae Harry" (spelled incorrectly of course!)
Hockey Party Cakes - Start with a basic 9X13 slab cake, and add hockey players. They can be purchased, or you can use toys that have on hand. A simple jersey cake is fun too!
Jake and the Neverland Pirates Party Cakes - This pirate ship cake is easier to make than it looks.
Then, to decorate the boat: frost the cake with chocolate icing, use a knife to carve "planks" into the cake, trim the boat with yellow icing, and add a red lifesaver steering wheel and yellow lifesaver windows. Finish the boat by adding a paper sail on a dowel and some little plastic toys.
LEGO Cakes - To make a LEGO Ninjago Cake: Start with a double layer round cake, frost the cake with red icing (not too smooth so it looks like cloth wrapped around his head), pipe on a yellow face, and I add some black "ninja" eyes (with black gel icing). To make a simple LEGO brick cake: Start with a rectangular cake, frost the cake with blue icing, and add six (double stacked) Oreo cookies covered with blue icing.
Monkey Party Cake - Start this simple monkey cake with a round cake and two cupcakes (for the ears). Frost the cake with chocolate icing, and add additional details with a piping bag.
Music Party Cakes - To make a drum cake: start with a basic round, frosted (double layer) cake. Decorate the sides with Smarties and Ovation (mint and chocolate) sticks, and top the cake with two lollipop "drum sticks".
To make a guitar cake: follow the tutorial you can find here.
NERF Party Cupcakes - Decorate cupcakes with yellow, blue, and orange icing. Then, arrange the cupcakes on a try to resemble a NERF target. Embellish with some black icing and clean NERF bullets.
Olympics Party Cake - Print Olympic rings onto a piece of card stock, attach to paper straws, and insert into the top of a plain cake. Finish by adding colourful candies to the base of the cake.
Pirate Party Cake - Use the tutorial you can find here.
Pool Party Cake - Start with a simple, round (double layer) cake. Frost have the cake with blue icing, and cover the other have with graham cracker "sand". Decorate with fruit leather towels, candy ring floaties, candy sharks, drink umbrellas, and teddy bear cracker/cookies.
Spy Party Cake - To make a "007" spy cake: start with dense cakes that will be easy to carve. (I used Duncan Hines Cake mixes, but I used 2 tbsp less water and half the oil called for in the recipe in order to make the cake more dense and easy to work with.) Then, carefully carve out the numbers, cover them in a crumb coat, and stick them in the refrigerator. When the icing is firm, add a finishing coat of frosting. Then, decorate the cakes with dollar store magnifying glasses, sunglasses, and black icing footprints.
Star Wars Party Cake - Transform a plain, homemade slab cake into a Star Wars cake by adding new toys to the top. The birthday boy/girl will love the cake... and the extra gift!
Super Hero Party Cakes - A simple round layer cake can be easily transformed into a super-fun Super Hero cake. Frost the cake with red icing, use black icing to draw a web, and add new Spiderman toys to the top.
Valentine's Day Party Cake - Simple Valentine's Day cupcake parfaits can be a wonderful way to celebrate someone you love. Put some candies in the bottom of a glass, and insert an adorable decorated cupcake.
You are going to be shocked at how simple these cakes are to bake and decorate. Many of them use basic cake mixes and store bought icing!
Click the links below to get the step-by-step instructions:
Bowling Party Cake - These cakes are super cute, and they allow you to have two different flavours of cake for party guests. Carve a bowling pin from a rectangular cake and a bowling ball from a round cake. Apply a crumb coat, refrigerate until the crumb coat is firm, frost with white and chocolate icing, and add embellishments (m&ms and red icing).
Camping Cakes - Bake cakes and then add cookie logs and froot roll up flames. These cakes are simple, but super cute!
Cars Party Cake - Start with two 8" round cakes. Then, create a track using chocolate icing tinted with black food colouring. Fill in the "grass" with green icing, and add some yellow jelly beans for the lines in the road. Finish with two race car "dinkies" and a small checkered flag taped to the top of a toothpick.
Circus Party Cake - Bake and frost a regular, round (double layer) cake. Then, use straws, a paper carousal top, and some animal cracker cookies to create a simple carousel cake.
Easter Party Cake - This cake is super-simple! Bake and frost a regular, double-layer cake. Then, use candy-covered chocolate mini eggs to trim the cake, and add a chocolate bunny to the top.
Father's Day Cake - Transform a simple sheet cake with a little imagination and 4 boxes of Reeses Pieces. The kids can help with the decorating too!
Generic Skittles Cake For any Party Theme - To make number cakes, start with basic cakes (round or square... depending on the number you are making). Then, carve the cakes, cover with icing, and decorate with Skittles. It's a time-consuming process, but the result is stunning!
Golf Party Cake - Start with your favourite cupakes, and frost with green icing. Use a tip that makes it look like grass. Add a white gumball (that looks like a golf ball) and a golf flag made from a toothpick and red electrical tape. Easy peasy!
Halloween Party Cake - Start with a cake mix and bake for 70 minutes (at 350 degrees) in a greased, oven-safe glass mixing bowl. (Check it after 45 minutes, and then increase the cooking time by increments of 10 minutes until a wooden skewer comes out clean.) Then, let the cake cool, frost it with pre-made white icing, create an eyeball with blue icing, and use black decorating gel to make the pupil of the eyeball. Finish with red decorating gel "veins and blood".
Harry Potter Party Cakes - To make a quidditch cake: Make a regular cake, and add goal posts made from straws, electrical tape, and pipe cleaners. Finish with a golden snitch made from a chocolate wrapped in gold foil with wax paper wings. (And for a touch of colour, you can finish by adding some "every flavour beans" to the bottom of the cake. To make a crest cake: Start with a basic rectangular sheet cake, and carve it into the shape of a crest. Do a crumb coat, cover the cake with yellow icing, pipe on some red trim, and then I added some fun "Harry Potter" items -- a fruit roll-up scar, a foil wrapped golden snitch, some every flavour beans, and a chocolate frog. To make a replica of the cake Hagrid made for Harry: use pink icing to frost the cake, and green icing to pipe the words "Happee Birthdae Harry" (spelled incorrectly of course!)
Hockey Party Cakes - Start with a basic 9X13 slab cake, and add hockey players. They can be purchased, or you can use toys that have on hand. A simple jersey cake is fun too!
Jake and the Neverland Pirates Party Cakes - This pirate ship cake is easier to make than it looks.
Start by constructing the boat using the photos below and the tutorial you can find here.
Then, to decorate the boat: frost the cake with chocolate icing, use a knife to carve "planks" into the cake, trim the boat with yellow icing, and add a red lifesaver steering wheel and yellow lifesaver windows. Finish the boat by adding a paper sail on a dowel and some little plastic toys.
You can also create an "island cake". Decorate half of a round (double layer) cake with blue icing, and use graham cracker crumbs to add "sand" to the other side. Finish with little plastic toys.
LEGO Cakes - To make a LEGO Ninjago Cake: Start with a double layer round cake, frost the cake with red icing (not too smooth so it looks like cloth wrapped around his head), pipe on a yellow face, and I add some black "ninja" eyes (with black gel icing). To make a simple LEGO brick cake: Start with a rectangular cake, frost the cake with blue icing, and add six (double stacked) Oreo cookies covered with blue icing.
Monkey Party Cake - Start this simple monkey cake with a round cake and two cupcakes (for the ears). Frost the cake with chocolate icing, and add additional details with a piping bag.
Music Party Cakes - To make a drum cake: start with a basic round, frosted (double layer) cake. Decorate the sides with Smarties and Ovation (mint and chocolate) sticks, and top the cake with two lollipop "drum sticks".
To make a guitar cake: follow the tutorial you can find here.
NERF Party Cupcakes - Decorate cupcakes with yellow, blue, and orange icing. Then, arrange the cupcakes on a try to resemble a NERF target. Embellish with some black icing and clean NERF bullets.
Olympics Party Cake - Print Olympic rings onto a piece of card stock, attach to paper straws, and insert into the top of a plain cake. Finish by adding colourful candies to the base of the cake.
Pirate Party Cake - Use the tutorial you can find here.
Pool Party Cake - Start with a simple, round (double layer) cake. Frost have the cake with blue icing, and cover the other have with graham cracker "sand". Decorate with fruit leather towels, candy ring floaties, candy sharks, drink umbrellas, and teddy bear cracker/cookies.
Spy Party Cake - To make a "007" spy cake: start with dense cakes that will be easy to carve. (I used Duncan Hines Cake mixes, but I used 2 tbsp less water and half the oil called for in the recipe in order to make the cake more dense and easy to work with.) Then, carefully carve out the numbers, cover them in a crumb coat, and stick them in the refrigerator. When the icing is firm, add a finishing coat of frosting. Then, decorate the cakes with dollar store magnifying glasses, sunglasses, and black icing footprints.
Star Wars Party Cake - Transform a plain, homemade slab cake into a Star Wars cake by adding new toys to the top. The birthday boy/girl will love the cake... and the extra gift!
Super Hero Party Cakes - A simple round layer cake can be easily transformed into a super-fun Super Hero cake. Frost the cake with red icing, use black icing to draw a web, and add new Spiderman toys to the top.
Valentine's Day Party Cake - Simple Valentine's Day cupcake parfaits can be a wonderful way to celebrate someone you love. Put some candies in the bottom of a glass, and insert an adorable decorated cupcake.
A heart cake made from one square cake and one round cake can also be fun. Find the full tutorial here.
I have never taken a cake decorating class, so I guarantee you don't have to be a pro to make these cakes.
Homemade cakes are a wonderful way to show someone how much you care, don't you think? Just remember: it's not about perfection... it's about making an effort for someone you love.
♥
Gina BellHomemade cakes are a wonderful way to show someone how much you care, don't you think? Just remember: it's not about perfection... it's about making an effort for someone you love.
♥
(Mom and Amateur Party Planner)