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Saturday, August 10, 2013

7 tips… for setting a fun & festive birthday table

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This past week Patrick turned twenty-one years old. Yep, my first born is already twenty one years old and I don’t think it’s hit me yet. After all, twenty-one sounds so …well, adult. And it just seems like yesterday when….well, you know what I mean.

Lately everyone’s been coming and going in different directions but we finally managed to sit down for a family dinner before Patrick headed to San Francisco for a concert. I had to pull this table together at the last minute and it ended up being so darn festive looking I thought I’d share a few of my tips. 

I think the very best thing about this table is how inexpensive it was to put together. Do you have a birthday coming up for someone special?

Well here’s what I did for Patrick’s birthday dinner. My seven tips for a fun table.

Tip 1:  Balloons provide instant impact

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I wish you could see how these look in person. So pretty!

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I simply tied these to the chairs…

Tip 2: Decorate your Chandelier!

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I used crepe paper tied on a string and made like THIS

 

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It’s so easy and cheap and it creates such a festive party atmosphere!

 

Tip 3: Don’t limit yourself to tablecloths

This is important. Invest in white tablecloths and you’ll always have flexibility with your tablescapes.

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I found my fabric at Ikea. …when I was shopping with Michael for some college room bedding.

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Tip 4: Accentuate your theme colors by using spray paint (the best way to paint in a hurry)

I made these:

White spray painted mason jars

Gold painted champagne glasses

 

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Tip 5: Use mason jars for inexpensive vases

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Tip 6:  Shop the Dollar Store for Creative Place Cards. Here’s mine:

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Isn’t this perfect for a 21st birthday dinner?

I love how these turned out!!!

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7. Emphasize your color scheme by using card stock place mats

 

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This is a perfect way to add color to your table.

DSC_0210use_thumb1The black “place mats” are simply two pieces of black card stock

laid side by side.  How easy it that?

And I used one piece of glitter paper for $1.99

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Each place card is sitting on a piece of glitter paper

so it can “pop” out from the white plate.

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Look how pretty the glitter looks in the evening sun….

 

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I laid my striped fabric down at an angle for visual interest. I didn’t even cut it.

And I love the bold black and white stripes, don’t you?

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Gray, white and yellow balloons

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the gold stem champagne glasses for toasting our twenty-one year old

(not bad for spray paint huh?)

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Stuffed mushrooms with mustaches (I threw this in because the stashes’ are so cute)


  • two yards of fabric from Ikea: $7.00 per yard
  • yellow and white crepe paper: $2.00 from Dollar store
  • plastic animals: 2 for $1.00 dollar store
  • champagne glasses 99 cents each from thrift store
  • spray paint: white and gold
  • place mats: 29 cents for each paper
  • mason jars, dinnerware, water goblets: mine
  • black and white cloth napkins: not shown (mine from CostPlus)
  • 2 dozen helium balloons: $9.99 per dozen
  • game of beer pong afterwards: free

 

Which tip did you like the best?

xo

Leslie

I’m sharing this post with these friends:

 

26 comments:

Art and Sand said...

Oh, so cute!

Love the elephant place cards.

I have seen the painted jars, but haven't made any yet.

I wish I had a party coming up soon, but we are going into new parent mode - picking up a goldendoodle puppy in 1 hour!

Unknown said...

Leslie, it looks absolutely fantastic.....I would be thrilled to sit at any table like this :)

I LOVE the "party animals", they made me smile....and the black, white & yellow looks both elegant, grown up & fun. Love the champagne glasses too.

Well done you....I bet you had a great time!! Xx

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

Hi Leslie, Happy Birthday to your son! Your table turned out beautiful and I bet he appreciated all the work you put into it. I'll be hosting a birthday party next week for my son and granddaughter and appreciate your tips.
xx,
Sherry

Kadee Willow said...

Without a doubt... if you must make me choose (lol)... are the party animals. They look quite hip and sophisticated ~ seriously! The touch of silver glitter paper with the name tag tied to the necks (sounds brutal but not meant that way!) just really made me smile. Congrats on hosting such a wonderful 21st birthday party!

Phyllis @Around the House said...

Your table is the cutest, I love the yellow and white balloons and the way you did the chandy is so cool..The tablecloth is so creative and the most creative are the sprayed animals for place cards, love that idea and the champ glasses do look so cool and festive...thanks for sharing such a fun table, it made me smile for sure...

Lynn Fern said...

Oh what a great party!! I love the "party animal" name cards. It is all fantastic! Coming over from Common Ground!

Sharon said...

This is stunning! What a lucky young man, to have mom throw him such a wonderful 21st birthday party!

Sarah said...

Well, this is one of the cutest party tables ever! Love all the ideas, but the "party animal" theme is my favorite. I'm going to remember to use that one. Your chalkboard and cookies are a fun touch. Love the color scheme too. Kudos for a fantastic party!
Happy Birthday to the Patrick.

Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co. said...

Oh what a fun and festive party! And I'm just crazy about the animal place cards! I know a whole lot of love went into making that special birthday dinner!

Gypsy Heart said...

I love it ~ all of it! I'm not sure I can pin point a favorite. You did such a beautiful job and I know everyone loved it too. I'll hire you to do a special birthday celebration for me! :)

Of course, black & white anything is high on my favorites list...the champagne glasses...the place card animals...on & on.

xo
Pat

Daniela @Frugal Aint Cheap said...

I love them all! the painted animals, the bold colors, the golden glasses...You should have planned my graduation party 10 years ago. The black and gold were my College colors

Jeanette@Creating a Life Studio said...

How festive! It's all wonderful, but I think my favorite little touches were the dollar store "party animals" (super cute and creative!)and the striped fabric. I bet your son was pretty impressed with what you put together in his honor. Happy birthday to your young man :)

Anonymous said...

Happy birthday to your son! Love the champagne glasses and the decorated chandelier! Everything looks wonderful.

My son is moving into the dorms on the 22nd. Do you or your sons have any tips on setting up a dorm room? It would be so great if you did a post on this subject! =)

Lori said...

I love the little place cards ~ what a great idea! The balloons just kick it up a notch ~ great table and happy birthday to Patrick! xo

Sunflowers With Smiles said...

Leslie
What a festive table setting! I love the crepe paper draped over the chandy, plus the balloons, animal place cards and on and on! Great job! Don't they grow up so fast?

Hope you are enjoying your weekend.

Gwen said...

Just fantastic! Can't thank you enough for sharing ALL of the ideas for those who are creatively challenged but great copiers :) Always look forward to reading your posts! Thanks again.

Linda @ DesignInMyView said...

Your Party Animals are my favorite (tough question!).

Cheers!

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

What a great party! I have to make some party animals for my next gathering...pure whimsy! Happy birthday to your son!

Barbara @ 21 Rosemary Lane said...

Your table is so beautiful! I love the colors you chose and yes I agree with you on spray paint. The only way to go when in a hurry! Followed you from Cedar Hill Ranch Scoop party.
Have a great week!
Your newest follower!
XO Barbara

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Gorgeous and such fabulous ideas and tips. Thanks for linking to Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty

thepaintedapron.com said...

Great, great table Leslie, so many ideas here! My favorite part are the party animals, too funny! You shared a lot of budget friendly tips too, much appreciated. Love the balloons and the chandy treatment, thanks for sharing this fab party
Jenna

Unknown said...

Hello lovely Leslie!
This dinner party looks smashing. I love the colors-so sunny and festive-what a lucky 21 year old you have! You have so many incredible ideas I'll be heading to pin some of these. I love the gold champagne glass idea and 'party animal' place cards are a hoot! You certainly know how to throw a party!
I always wanted to stop by to thank you for your kind and touching comments on Stylemindchic. You have a compassionate heart and I'm so happy that we have become friends through blog world.
Have a lovely day!
xx, Heather

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

Oh my goodness, Leslie! It is absolutely perfect! You have so many creative, wonderful and (I love this part) inexpensive tips in one tablescape that I couldn't choose a favorite! What a fun yet elegant look! Thanks so much for sharing it at The Scoop!...hugs...Debbie

The Style Sisters said...

This is the cutest birthday ever!!! I love all your ideas and they are soo dooable! Come link up to Centerpiece Wednesday and share this post with us. http://thestylesisters.blogspot.com/2013/08/centerpiece-wednesday-88.html
Karin

Unknown said...

Oh Leslie - this is absolutely over the top GORGEOUS BEYOND BELIEF!!!
Beautiful beautiful job!
XOXO

Jeannie and Linda said...

Leslie, what fabulous ideas, I love everything, the colors are so festive, and just using the three colors makes is festive, and classic. Party animals, what a great idea. Sure it was a fun party.
Jeannie

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