Lumberjack First Birthday Party

There is no denying the first birthday is the most special. You made it through the newborn and infant stage, it is time to celebrate! We were ready to celebrate and host a first birthday party for our oldest son (Noah). But, unlike our daughter, who is born in July and had an opportune time for a party, Noah was born in February… when it is COLD! Also, did I mention we lived in MinneSNOWta?

I knew I needed a creative theme for our winter boy’s birthday. A quick Pinterest search and a theme was an obvious front runner! Buffalo check, rustic wood, and s’mores cupcakes. It was perfect for our snowy wooden home during a Minnesota winter. Plus, our boys nickname is “Noah BEAR”. The lumberjack theme provided a fun way to add in his nickname with rustic bear inspired decor and be completely cohesive with the theme. I needed no further persuading!

Here is a recap and walk through of hosting a LUMBERJACK FIRST BIRTHDAY PARTY.

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Invitations

The starting point and glue to a good party theme is in the invitation. Invites are where the theme is born!

 

My go to invite sites are Etsy and Zazzle.  Both sites have endless options and support small creators like myself, win + win! There are so many to choose from. When looking for great ones to share, I came across our exact ones from six years ago! I cant believe they are still listed, goes to show great styles last 😉  Check out the link here.

 

 

 

I also found these adorable favorites too! Easy to download and print, or screen shot and send digitally.

 

 

 

Cake/ Cupcakes

At the time we were planning Noah’s birthday, a co-worker of my husbands had a cake side business. We talked about our theme with her and some ideas and came up with a log looking smash cake and s’mores cupcakes for the guests. I was so excited!

 

This was the first time we had hired out the cake and/or cupcakes for a party. I LOVE cake. It is the highlight for me for any party, event, or wedding. I simply love cake. So to have a professional create actual flavors and designs for us is something I easily became hooked on.

 

 

If you don’t have the budget, don’t let that stop you from cake to dazzle. Hit up youtube and get your DIY on!

 

Sometimes less is more too.  Bake your own cake/ cupcakes and spruce it up toppers! This is my favorite cake hack when budget and time are tight.

 

For the topper for Noah’s first birthday I wanted it to be bold yet simple. I wanted plaid. I grabbed a cheap wooden number one from my craft store and my trusted mod podge.

 

Using left over fabric from the other decorations I covered the number in buffalo plaid.  My husband drilled holes on the bottom to insert skewers in to placing in the cake.  This process was so easy, so cheap, and yet still made a big impact on the cake.

 

 

 

Decorations

 

Noah’s birthday was our second birthday hosted as our new (then) home. I had the lay of the land figured out and knew what and where I needed decor. 

 

First up was the fireplace. I’ve said it before, we built this fireplace to be our focal point.

 

Holidays- we take a picture.

 

Birthdays- we take a picture.

 

Kids dress cute and it’s a Wednesday- we take a picture in front of the fireplace. 

 

It was my go-to place for decorations and celebrations big and small.

 

 

The fireplace banner quickly became one of my top sellers in my Esty shop.  I am still, absolutely, in love with the design six years later, and still keep it in stock.

 

 

 

First birthdays are fun to showcase how much your little one has grown their first year.  I love making a special banner or piece to showcase each monthly milestone picture.

 

 

Our entryway was the perfect place to add this decoration.  I cleared all the toys and junk off our entry table, set out some more beloved buffalo check plaid, and hung-up Noah’s first year in photos.

 

 

For added style, I picked up paper mache letters from JoAnn’s and left them as is for a rustic natural look.  I threw down some pinecones from our normal winter decor and the entryway was set!

 

 

Lastly, for major décor is the coveted birthday spot.  The head chair at the table where the birthday boy gets to sit and be in all his glory.  I like to hang some type of focal decoration to enhance all those cake photos 😉

 

 

Scrap banners are so easy to make, even the beginning DIYer can achieve this look!  My favorite part of these banners is coming up with the fabric/material combinations. It was the perfect little accent to add to our backdrop for this special moment.

 

Now… the stage is set lets get the birthday boy himself ready!

 

 

Party Outfit

 

I had so much fun dressing up Noah for his big day. A mixture of new, handmade, and old, his outfit is still one of my favorites!

 

First, I made his bodysuit. Good and trusty iron-on adhesive for yet another win! I took more of the buffalo plaid flannel and cut into big bold ONE. Ironed it on a simple white long sleeve (because winter) bodysuit and his look was set. Paired with some of his already owned skinny jeans and a pair of boots I found at Walmart and he looked like a little lumberjack set in our winter woods. He was cute enough, but what really set this look apart was the amazingly funny (yet functional) hat I found on, where else, Etsy!

 

 

It doesn’t get much cuter than a chubby baby with a fake crochet beard!

 

 

 

After half a dozen years I loved looking back on my oldest son’s first birthday. Some of the details may not be as elaborately written as current parties, but I hope I could give some inspiration for your own lumberjack party!

If anything, this is proof that not only are you creating a fun party in the moment, but memories for many years to come. Happy planning friends!