I have a slight obsession with themed parties.

It doesn’t matter if I’m planning it or attending it, a good themed party just gets my Type A planning heart into the most excited of moods. Kids’ birthday parties are a particular favorite, as there are seemingly endless options for themes, and it is so much fun to pick just the right one that fits the child’s interests and personality. Yet I have learned over the last 6+ years of planning birthday parties that simpler is always better, in terms of budget, in terms of enjoyment, and in terms of not driving yourself completely bonkers in the planning process.

My youngest (for now!) niece turned one at the beginning of February, and recently moved here to Vermont with my sister-in-law and other niece while my brother-in-law is deployed. I asked if I could host a small get-together to celebrate Margot’s birthday at my house, and told my sister-in-law that I would take care of the planning. Since my niece is really still a baby, I got to choose a theme that I have been wanting to use in a party for a long time: a Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star party. I knew I wanted to keep it simple with just cake/cupcakes and ice cream and only a few decorations. I often use Shop Sweet Lulu for ordering party supplies, and they had the most perfect pink, gold, and white star patterned party ware that I could not resist. I also purchased a chalkboard poster board at Wal-Mart, along with a mini chalkboard easel and some simple pink crepe streamers.

I have been known to go a bit overboard with cakes/cupcakes in the past, but this time simple was my key word. I made up some chocolate and vanilla cupcakes, frosted them very minimally with vanilla frosting, and topped them with gold glitter star cupcake picks. I also made a small chocolate and vanilla layer cake with vanilla frosting, piped a very simple star on top with gold glitter frosting, and sprinkled it with crystal edible glitter.

Then we ordered pizzas and partied!

This was honestly one of my most favorite parties I have ever done, and I’ve done a lot of them! Of course it is fun to go all out sometimes, but this was incredibly easy, and both the kids and the adults had a great time.

Now I’m ready to start working on the next parties – two of my children have April birthdays and I can’t wait to share them with you!