I’m working on a custom party plan now for a 4-year-old’s Strawberry Shortcake themed birthday. Of course, I’m taking the focus off the commercial aspects of the theme and playing up strawberries and the colors and patterns of Strawberry Shortcake. In addition to my original ideas, I always include links to other fabulous parties with similar themes. So here are some of my very favorite strawberry parties.

From Love the Day

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Owl parties continue to be an extremely popular birthday theme, I think in part because the concept is so flexible. The owl theme works for any age, as well as boys and girls. I’m planning a party right now with adorable owl printables by Lindi of Love the Day. So last night I went on the hunt for owl party favors. Here are my favorite favor and packaging finds from Etsy.

1 – Owl favor box by Cake-a-doodle-doo

2 – Mini travel chalkboard by Chic Mama Covers

3 – Personalized favor totes by Ellery’s Designs

4 – Owl ribbon by Katie Bird Studio

5 – Owl soaps by Favors by Angelique

6 – Zipper pencil case by SSK Designs

7 – Bottle cap necklace and charms by Badge Boutique

8 – Hand puppet by Maria Palito

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“Oh my gosh! How did you think of that?” It’s one of the questions I hear after parties sometimes, and it’s so sweet. But of course, parties don’t come to me full-blown. Creating the details is work, but I do have a trick to make it easier.

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Just send this link to your husband, ya know? Make his life easier. (Just give your Etsy seller as much time as possible to deliver.) Some of these lovelies would be great for parties, too!

Magnetic Chalkboard Silver Tray by Her Majesty’s Pug

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I am ready for it to be warm. So, so ready. Seeds are out in the stores, even though it’s way too cold to plant, but it’s made me start thinking of a gardening party. I think this could be a really fun outdoor party for kids 4 and up. Here’s what I’m dreaming of.

From The Art of Cookies

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One of my friends is hosting an (indoor) pool party in February, so I created a Pinterest board full of ideas for her. You can find the entire board here. These are some of my favorite ideas. P.S. Another friend had a pool party/slumber party this winter and hosted it at a hotel with an indoor pool. While not everything went according to plan (due in part to, ahem, nameless twins who couldn’t sleep), I thought using the hotel was a pretty nifty idea. Who needs to let cold weather spoil your splashy fun?

Pool Noodle Garland Tutorial from Lovely Party Things

I am in the thick of planning the girls’ 8th birthday party, and so wanted to share some of the wonderful inspiration I’ve found on Etsy. You may remember that they requested a Surf Girl Party. I am relieved that — since their birthday is in February — they have dropped this idea. (Although, I did have some fun ideas planned, so I may have to pull them back out come summer!)

Our new theme (which shall remain a secret) involves sunshine yellow. One of my favorite ways to start brainstorming for a new party is to enter a broad search term in Etsy. In this case, it was “yellow.” Thousands of results came up. That’s a lot to go through, but the point is that sometimes things pop up that you wouldn’t have dreamed up on your own, so I think the search is worth it. Just turn on some fluffy TV, pop open your tablet and start searching!

Here are links to the Etsy shops for each item.

I really want this one. Please don’t buy it while I’m trying to decide if I’ll splurge on this.

Etsy > Flat Tire Vintage

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One of my favorite shops in downtown Woodstock is Linden European Gardens. Owner Laurie has created a shop full of European influence. Laurie regularly travels to England, Belgium and France. (Yes, I am totally jealous!) In her words, she goes “from village to village, looking through quaint little shops, rummaging in barns, and walking in fields to bring antiques, gardening, and floral inspiration back to Georgia.”

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