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Planning A Worm Themed Birthday Party

As we mentioned for a hot minute back in this post, Clara picked her party theme this year. What does she love more than monkeys, ice cream, firetrucks, and the mailman? Worms.

So the first thing on the party agenda was settling on a date (this Saturday the 12th, two days before her actual b-day on the 14th) and figuring out the guest list (our closest family and friends totaling about 30 people, ten who are kiddos under the age of four). Then it was the fun part. Invitations! We made three versions of them before picking our favorite (yes, making invitations is our idea of a good time). For the first one we used some shots from her 22 month photoshoot and although we loved the shapes and the fabric and that cute smile, it just didn’t have any worminess.

Clara Invite Alternative 1

So we played around some more and came up with this guy, who runneth over with worminess:

Clara Invite Alternative 2

As cute (and worm-ish) as we thought it was, we just kept playing around (yes, we’re nerds, and we only get to do it once a year) and came up with this more graphic – and just as wormy – alternative:

Clara Invite Final

Third time was the charm. Yes, we made chevron worms (maybe worms are the new chevron?). Of course we thought any of the options above would be great (and some folks might prefer #1 or #2 more), but we just loved those three little worms inching their way onto the number two with our smily girl in the middle of the number and the promise that “there will be worms.”

So we ordered just enough to send out to our crew, and even saved $15.77 thanks to googling around for a Winkflash coupon code:

Invite Coupon Code

It ended up being $1.58 per invite including an envelope ($28.54 for eighteen 5 x 7″ invites on matte card stock – not photo paper). Which isn’t  pennies, but definitely was a nice discount from the original price of $2.19 per invite. As for why we went with Winkflash, we used them for last year’s invite and were really happy with them. A lot of services offer templates for folded cards but it’s hard to find postcard-ish offerings that are completely blank (so you can upload your entire design without them putting a frame or some type around it).

And when they arrived? Love! They do such a good job- no weird printing lines or cheap-o feeling – we liked going with the larger size (5 x 7″) and the thick matte card stock paper. So that’s probably more than you’ve ever wanted to know about a two year old’s party invitation, huh? Haha.

Invite Here

But now for the party deets. Of course we’ll be back with a post after this weekend’s festivities, but just like last year, we thought a little sneak peek of our supplies might be fun (here’s last year’s). This is our table o’ stuff, some of which we had around already, like the yellow napkin dish ($2 from a thrift store a few years back!) and the fabric banner I sewed for Clara’s first birthday (we’ll re-use the runner I sewed too) along with a paper one I made for that party as well and some cute bird napkins we grabbed from Ikea about a month ago (birds like worms, right?). Some of the stuff is new of course, like the plates, worm-ish candles, some balloons and streamers, some paper lanterns, etc (all hailing from Party City or Target).

Invite All Stuff

Oh and see that pink arrow in the top left corner of the picture above? It’s pointing to this ice tray that we picked up at Ikea last month, because we thought we could even make some worm-ish ice. Or fill it with jello and make little jello worms.

Invite Ice Cube

So that’s on the agenda along with blowing up some polka dot balloons and some worm ones too (there is close to zero actual worm paraphernalia at Target and Party City, so when we saw worm balloons we couldn’t believe it).

As for all of the worm-related ideas, here’s what’s on our crazy brain dump list:

  • Make pipe cleaner worms to hide outside for a worm hunt
  • Make a grass runner with gummy worms (or plastic worms) on it
  • Collect paper towel rolls for some sort of worm craft…
  • Use streamers taped in little swags to look like worms (maybe across the beams in the living room and out on the patio somehow)
  • Serve apples with a gummy worm coming out and other worm-ish snacks
  • Cut peppers, cucumbers, and cheese into worm-like sticks and serve with dressing (worm crudité? how fancy)
  • Skewer grapes or other sliced fruit onto straws (less pokey for the kiddos than skewers)
  • Worm pizza (we’ll serve regular pizza for adults but put some cooked spaghetti on the slices for the kids)
  • Worm dogs (these are just hot dogs, haha, but we could make ketchup or mustard eyes and a smile)
  • Make white frosted cupcakes with oreo “dirt” sprinkled on top with a gummy worm (we thought about “dirt cake” or “dirt pudding” in a mason jar but it’s just too messy and hard to eat for all the 2-3 year olds)
  • Worm jello (we could just toss some gummy worms into jello sort of like a jello mold but instead of fruit it’s worms…)

Who knows what we’ll end up doing (definitely not everything!) but it’s fun to write down a bunch of things to see which ones stick. Oh and check out the favors I love so much that I assembled them a full week before the party. Nerd alert.

Invites Favors1

One of Clara’s favorite things to play with outside is our watering can (filling it with leaves, rocks, sticks, you name it) so when we saw cute green ones at Ikea for 99 cents we grabbed one for each kid (hoping they’ll like them just as much as our girl does). Then in the toy aisle we came across tiny stuffed worms for 49 cents each! Just kidding, they were snakes, but we cut off the pointy red tongues and voila: happy little worms. We also tossed a bottle of bubbles in each watering can along with an orange or pink scoop from Target (50 cents each). Brown tissue paper (aka: dirt) finished things off and gave us a spot to stick our scoops full of worms. We’re so excited for Clara to see hers. We’ve been hiding them all (I made them during a nap and stashed them all in the guest room) so it should be a pretty good time when she realizes that everyone gets a watering can, bubbles, a scoop, and a worm of their own at her party.

Oh and look at these candles we found at Tar-jay. Wormy, right?

Invite Napkins

This = a typical trip to Target. We thought grabbing two outside balls for kids to play with on the patio might be a good idea. And of course Clara picked her two favorite colors (orange and pink – which are one of the reasons we picked those colors for things like her invitations and her streamers).

Invite Target Balls

So that’s the deal with party planning. The basic gist is that I’m wishing we bought one more watering can, scoop, and stuffed snake worm so I’d get one of my own. I’m totally 30 going on 2.

Invites Favors2

Any party prep going on for you guys? Do you have any tips for keeping it simple and fun? We generally like to order food (something inexpensive but crowd-pleaser-ish, like pizza) so we’re not slaving over the stove all day. But cooking is my mom’s favorite thing, so she’d rather cook for thirty people and just grab ready-made invites. So there’s definitely more than one way to get your par-tay on. Can’t wait to share pics from this Saturday! And we’re building Clara something for her b-day. Something big. Ok, I’ll just tell you – it’s a dollhouse!!!!!!

Dollhouse Started

So excited to share the breakdown with you guys when it’s done (as expected, we’re just getting started so we’ll be working overtime!). And now for the general trite mom statement (but it’s painfully true). Oh my gosh,  how is my baby two already??? Dude, she was just turning one like three months ago.

Psst – You know $herdog loves her some Eminem, Snoop, Dre, and Biggie, but the new Karmin CD is uh.mazing. Seriously. Anyone else in love? I’ve been “YouTube in love with them” for a while (since this) and adored when they were on Ellen. Their new songs make me want to finish that dollhouse double-time (while pausing for a few obligatory dance breaks).

Comments

  2. amyks says

    I love your invitations. They are so cute and the party favors are also very clever. My oldest daughter turns twelve on the 13th. She wants a “dance party” with all her friends coming in a costume to represent some type of dance, ie. ballet, ballroom, hip hop, etc. Party favors will be cds of her favorite top 40s music. So happy that she is still letting me help out with her parties.

    Reply

  5. Ursa says

    I just have to comment on this post!

    You trully are amazing to turn such a (lets say) wierd theme into so much fun! I think I will be smiling from now on, when I’ll see a worm :) Also wish, you would come and plan my bd party this year. Who cares if I’m turning 26, I want me some worms for the party!!! :)

    Worms, lol :)

    Reply

  6. Loey says

    Those ice cube trays are cool. Why not freeze gummy worms in them and make a “wormy” punch! Have fun. I love your creativity.

    Reply

  7. [email protected] says

    After reading this post now all I can think about is Dumb and Dumber and how Harry and Loyd were going to name their store: We got Worms :)

    Also I wanted to share a link to my blog: http://www.heartsweethome.com/?p=822

    Because when celebrating my daughters birthday I bought Hampen Bathmat in Ikea, and after cutting it into three pieces I had a runner for the table that looks like grass. Could be perfect and maybe place the little worms on it so you can just see them peeking up from the grass.

    Hope you like it, I thought it looked rather wonderful ;)

    Reply

  8. emily says

    I don’t know if this has been mentioned already, but your balloons are sold as worms and not as the other, not-kid-friendly thing. “Ver souriant” means “smiling glow-worm” in French. I can’t promise that they won’t be suggestive once they’re inflated, but don’t worry about having bought something from the bachelorette aisle… y’all are in the clear :)

    Can’t wait to see pictures from the party. Clara is going to be in worm Heaven (aka a warm pile of dirt).

    Reply

  10. Ginger says

    I must be a huge geek/nerd too, because i loved this post! Nothing gets me going like invitations/birth announcements/xmas cards! These ideas are fantastic!

    Reply

  11. Larissa Peitsch says

    Very cute guys! I was just wondering what design program you use to make all your stuff? Just Photoshop?

    Reply

  12. Debbie @ My Little Mess says

    Although the first two are cute, I LOVE the one you went with. I didn’t notice the chevron was made of worms until you pointed it out. Very cute party theme. I can’t wait to see the big reveal!

    Reply

  15. Hannah says

    Have you guys ever heard of the children’s book called “Diary of a Worm” by Doreen Cronin? It is a really cute story written from the perspective of a worm. Just though Clara might enjoy that.

    Reply

  16. Alice says

    Yay! I love that Ikea snake…I have one on my desk at home, to cheer me up when I don’t feel like doing my work. I bought him to use for a singing game in my classroom, but here he sits, over a year later.

    Happy birthday, Clara!

    Reply

  17. Emily says

    That’s so funny! One of my earliest memories is going to the store with my mom to buy the ingredients for my 2nd birthday cake. She asked what kind I wanted, and I said “A Worm Cake!!!”. :) I ended up with an awesome cake with gummy worms and “dirt” all over. Awesome! :)

    Reply

  18. Katherine says

    I love the invitations! You guys are so creative. It’s enough for me to come up with one party invite that I kind of like…If you’re ever looking for a different line of work (though I hope that is never the case!) you could go into designing party invitations instead. :)

    Reply

  23. Megan says

    There’s a way to make Jello worms that someone may have mentioned already but in case they didn’t, you make them with bendy straws and you pour jello into them, chill and let set, and take them out. Check them on Pinterest. I haven’t tried but thought about it during Halloween. Maybe some fun colored ones? Can’t go wrong with dirt cake with gummy worms hanging out too.

    My daughter’s been dreaming too and she woke up in the car on the way to my parents’ house and said “Papa and I were riding a crocodile!” My dad was so confused when she told him this… he didn’t realize she was dreaming this since he doesn’t remember his dreams at all. Too cute on Clara’s dreams!

    Reply

  24. Steph says

    I know you guys had good luck with getting cupcakes from a local bakery for her first birthday, if you’re not looking to save money (by making them yourself) I would do the same! Sometimes to cut time and order from a bakery I love, I’ll order a plain, iced cake and decorate it myself! Maybe that would work with ordering plain cupcakes and adding the oreo crumbs and worms yourself?
    I just LOVE the idea of a worm birthday party! She is going to love to look back on that one day :)

    Reply

  25. Christine says

    I had way too much fun planning my daughter’s 2nd birthday party! I made a cardboard barn to go with my barnyard bash themed party. It was so awesome and I totally wish that I was small enough to play in it. Hope the party is as much fun as planning it!

    Reply

  26. Nicole T says

    Hi Sherry!

    I’ve never commented before, but this post reminded me of something that I saw on Pinterest ages ago…Jello worms made using straws! Not having any worm-loving children myself, I’ve never tried it or needed it, but thought Clara might just love them for her party!

    http://www.instructables.com/id/Bowl-of-Worms-Anyone/

    Hope its a blast! She sure is a cutie.

    Reply

  28. Jamie says

    I love that you choose a birthday theme based on what your child is “into” at that given time. It’s a great reminder of memories for the future. Our son’s first birthday party was “Goldfish cracker” themed. We had fun with it, and made up our own decorations. Then it was a No. 2 pencil/”draw-ring” for his second, and a “T-rex bird-day cake” for 3rd and I’m currently working on a Billy the Exterminator theme for this year! Wish me luck. Anyone have ideas I’m open!!

    Reply

  29. Rebecca Torres says

    check out vat19’s giant gummy worm. she may be too small for it, but it is AWESOME.

    Reply

  30. Marina Spiczak says

    I’m in the middle of finals otherwise I’d check the comments, but in case someone hasn’t posted this:

    Richard Scarry, Lowly Worm character-does Clara have those books? They have fire trucks and mail carriers too!

    http://www.amazon.com/Richard-Scarrys-Biggest-Word-Book/dp/0394873742/ref=sr_1_14?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1336603318&sr=1-14

    Biggest word book ever! It’s 2 feet tall and has Lowly Worm on the cover! Love this book.

    Happy birthday Clara!

    Reply

  35. Erin C. says

    Sooo creative! Clara is going to LOVE her party. I’m currently planning (/obsessing) over my son’s first bday party- June 2nd and a train theme. Got some really cute stuff from etsy (http://instagr.am/p/KYLi1xnlHw/). I’m going a bit overboard, but oh well. :)

    Reply

  37. Lindsey says

    I went to a party once and the dessert was in little paper cups that consisted of chocolate pudding (as ‘mud’), crushed oreo’s on top (as ‘dirt’), a flower made out of a straw and gummy worms. The kids LOVED it.

    Both of you are so creative, Clara’s party will be a HUGE hit!!

    Reply

  38. Jerri says

    Great ideas~ HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CLARA!!!!!

    I saw an idea on Pinterest that will be great for your party…poke some spaghetti through the weiner before boiling~ looks like worms in the hotdogs.

    Reply

  39. Kara says

    I don’t have time to read all the comments but wanted to tell you i’m sure i saw something on Pinterest about making jello worms using bendy straws (the accordion pleat in the bend makes the band-like section of the worm). Sorry if this is repeat info!

    Reply

  40. Alexis says

    can you PPPLLLLLEEEAAASSSEEE let me know what font you used for the big number 2 on your birthday invite?!?! I am a font fanatic and am in looooove with it!

    Reply

  42. Mia says

    I just want to wish Clara a very Happy Birthday! Now I know why Sherry hasn’t been around lately..cute party ideas!

    Reply

  43. Lauren says

    Haha I love the theme and ideas you guys have! We have the stuffed Ikea “worms” at home, too – used as a cat toy :)

    Reply

  44. Trisha says

    I love this! I’m totally going to convince my husband to throw me a worm birthday party next year. Seriously, why have I never done this?! :)

    Reply

  45. Amanda says

    An FYI, I also just bought that black ice tray from IKEA, and it is a huge pain. It needs something under it, or the water all spills out, and the ice cracks in the middle when you try to get it out! It seemed like a good idea though. Just use caution :)

    Reply

  46. Becca says

    Of course I live in Wisconsin the cheese capital of the world…but here we have mozzarella “whips” that look like little worms of mozzarella. They really look like worms and about exactly the same size around as a good old earthworm. They would be perfect! If you could find them it would totally save you time because you wouldn’t have to cut them at all except maybe to trim them by length. Some of them can be pretty long. I can’t wait to see the pictures of Clara’s special day.

    Reply

  49. Michelle says

    That’s great that your making Clara a doll house! She’s going to love it. I’m dying to make a doll/barbie house for my little. I can’t wait to see the finished product.

    Reply

  50. Jovi says

    How cool! We’re celebrating our dtr’s 1st bday on the same day! Sounds like you’re gonna have a fabulous party. Happy birthday Clara!!

    Reply

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