Smith Family Weblog

When I decided on a owl theme for Olivia’s fourth birthday, I was sure it was a relatively unique idea. However, my first search for “owl birthday party” ideas turned up four million results. Literally, FOUR MILLION. So, not terribly creative, it turns out. However, the first 500,000 or so ideas really helped inspire the details for this party.

I started with paper craft invitations, securing the wings with rhinestone brads.

I also created what I continue to call my “second and last” pinata. I used a large, oval balloon for the body, and a smaller balloon for the head. I covered both with two layers of newspaper coated in wallpaper paste. I found that if I painted the paper mache body the same color as the tissue, I was able get by with fewer “feathers,” which proved to be a good time-saver. In all, this was about an eight to nine hour project. I’ll post photos of the pinata portion of the party later.

I think these treat bags, which were filled with owl stickers, pencils and temporary tattoos, as well as a few other treats were my favorite part. I used white lunch sacks and adhered the paper toppers with hot glue.

I also made owl masks and wings, which proved to be incredibly unpopular among my nieces and nephews. Thankfully, Jess wrangled at least a few into costume toward the end of the party. The masks were a bit time-intensive, but the wings (just ribbon and felt), went together in a snap at the last minute the night before the party.

I found adorable owl plates and noisemakers online at Celebration Express. Apologies for the dark photo. Also, I’m not sure noisemakers are needed at a party with seven small children…

Once I arrived at Doug and Karyl’s, I had a huge amount of help from Debbie, Laura, Jess and Karyl, and my mom and Gramma Great brought items as well. Debbie and Laura iced the cutout cookies.

I topped Livie’s cake with an owl formed from Rice Krispie treats, then covered him in fondant frosting. As I noted on Facebook, it’s much easier to smooth buttercream in PhotoShop than in real life…

Owl silhouettes with rhinestone eyes topped sandwich skewers …

…and Odell’s makes a Double Pilsner with an owl on the label—how lucky is that?

That’s all for the details–more on the party participants soon!