around the world party

Kirst mentioned our Around the World Party last week... I've been so excited to share the pics with y'all!

See, Drew and I have a serious affection for world travel and geography... and we love watching our girls become interested in the world. So when Keadryn asked for a fourth birthday party with a 'little explorer' theme, I was more thrilled to oblige.

My inspiration for the invites (right) was this vintage "Around the World in 80 Days" poster (left)...

... and we incorporated vintage-y maps into the decor, favors, water bottle wraps, drink flags, and more. Even the dessert table had map-backed labels and map-made favor bags (we had a plentiful supply from a falling apart 1970s Geography Textbook that Kirst found at a thriftstore).

PARTY DETAILS

We planned the party as a Tour Around the World. There were "layovers" in various locales...

...in 'Mexico' for some pinata fun...

...in 'Australia' for some kangaroo races...

...in 'India' for 'henna'...

...in 'France' at a "Bonbonerie"... and back to the good ol' USA for an All American Lunch.

Each of the party guests was equipped with a Passport to Fun (they collected stamps at each 'country' we visited).

The coordinating dresses were gifts from Aunt Kirstin.

FAVORS
What better way to keep track of the party favors (or 'souvenirs') than in a stamped, vintage-y suitcase? Party guests toted the suitcase from layover to layover, collecting treats at the various stops. It was also the perfect catch-all for Keadryn Approved Travel Elixir, a map-made party hat, a telescope, and novelties like kangaroo ears.

DESSERT TABLE

The dessert table (or "Bonbonerie") was one of the layovers in our Tour Around the World. Let me tell you something- if you want a group of absolutely elated three and four year olds, include a whole trunk full of candy as one of your party features!
 

 As guests stepped up to the trunk, they 'ordered' various varieties of candy (they were labeled in French... but since most of the guests can't read yet, that was just for looks). 


The candy bags (maps sewn into little tabbed favor holders) were filled with scoops of 'guimauve' (marshmallow scewers), 'etoiles' (starburst), 'poissons' (swedish fish), 'menthe' (peppermints) and plenty of other 'bonbons.'  


DECOR
Maps, flags, and hot air balloons were the major decor motifs.

There were map paper airplanes, map drink flags, map water bottle wraps and map party hats.

There were hot air balloon signs, including a "Keadryn" banner.

And there were fluttery flag garlands and flag toothpicks (for scewering fruit).

I seriously love (love!) this "Around the World" theme. Though there is a both hilarious and tragic tale to tell of the party day itself... Let's just say that these are the pics of our plans and of the party stuff we made. Can't wait to fill you in on the rest- stay tuned! :)

ps- Thanks for all of the Harry Potter love yesterday (and all of your shirt input!). I'll email the winner later today!