DIY First Birthday-- Dr. Seuss Theme

This article was written by a Frugal Fanatic reader: Tiffany from Jamestown, NY. I absolutely LOVE this article because I also did my son's 1st Birthday party this past May with a Dr. Seuss theme!! If you are interested in writing an article that would be helpful  for Frugal Fanatic readers and getting paid for it go here. Check out this other article written by Tiffany: DIY Wedding Ideas! When my youngest daughter turned One last year my family and I did not have lots of money to do something really special like most people try to do for their child’s first birthday bash. So with a little bit time, effort, and creativity I was able to throw a very unique and awesome Dr. Seuss themed party for her! Decorations:• Red and Yellow streamers (dollar store)• Pack of bright color ceiling flowers• Happy Birthday Cake cardboard for high chair decoration (dollar store)• Happy Birthday Banner (dollar store)• Lifelike Cat-In-The-Hat (I had two large cardboard pieces laying around the house. I taped these together and drew a picture with markers and paint of the Cat-In-The-Hat. I cut out around his hand and intended to put a sign (as if he was holding it) that stated Happy Birthday Carra on it – that fell off.)• We did a very special birthday gift for my daughter and used it as a memory book. I purchased stock paper and found a very cute Dr. Seuss poem on the internet. Then with construction paper I used my scrapbook skills and decorated, ribbon tied, and glued decorations on each different themed page. At the end was enough room for guests to sign their name as well as leave a little message for her to see for when she gets older.• Blue canopy was borrowed from family. Table Settings:Polka Dotted Tablecloth and Centerpiece (the centerpiece I bought online with Birthday Express when they had a huge sale. The centerpiece was able to be customized by having her picture place in it.) I also purchased additional blue tablecloths from the dollar store to place on the picnic tables.I wanted to stick with the theme so I just purchased a small set of themed napkins, dessert plates, and cups from Birthday Express. Then purchased color related cups, napkins, dessert plates alternating with the themed to appear as if they all went with each other.Silverware I purchased red/blue spoons/forks (Dollar Tree) and placed them in opposite color napkins. Then I purchased Happy Birthday ribbon and tied each silverware piece with the ribbon.Birthday Express also had Dr. Seuss rubber band bracelets in which I just sprinkled across the cake/gift table along with confetti. Party Favors: Purchased 6 Red/Blue plastic cups (Dollar General) and taped cut-out pieces of fish on them. Words were RED FISH, BLUE FISH, YELLOW FISH, GREEN FISH, and PIZZA FISH – in each cup was goldfish that went in the corresponding cup. Each guest was allowed to grab a bag and take goldfish home that had a handmade printable thank-you note on it. Food:• Red/Blue Jolly Ranchers pop• Cousin made a beautiful tipsy turvey Dr. Seuss fondant cake for the guests• Tops Friendly Markets gives every a child a free cake on their first birthday. We used this cake for the birthday cake to devour without worrying about sharing.• We had crock potted BBQ roast which I got on sale, veggie/cheese tray, chips (dollar store) and ice cream cups (better survival of hot weather).  Activities: water balloon fight, football, and we held it at our local community park which they had a huge playground, creek to play in, as well as lots of running room! Most of my ideas came from the internet and discovered that hand-made parties can turn out just as well as all-that-fuss parties!