Arielle’s First Birthday

I think I started planning Arielle’s mermaid-themed First Birthday Party before she was even born. Alex and I would joke that on the invitations we’d include, “Shhhh! It’s a Surprise!” As if you can surprise a one year old. 

But the joke was on us in the end. While I kept planning her party, the world had another kind of plan and life, as we knew it, shut down. Finally at the end of April we called it. There would be no traditional Birthday Party for Arielle this year. 

Now obviously, in the grand scheme of things, a First Birthday Party is nothing compared to the loss of life that has taken place over the past few months. I’m just sharing the party that would have been had we been able to have it as well as how we decided to celebrate our little girl’s first year in a safe way while still involving family and friends. 

A Birthday Caravan

I am a huge believer in birthdays, so in lieu of a party we planned a Birthday Caravan. 

We began early on May 27th at my sister and brother-in-law’s house for a morning of cake. They had already given her tons of presents the weekend before so it was a nice time that we could just spend together. It was a Wednesday and Alex had to work so the rest of the day we spent reading Arielle’s favorite books and watching her favorite movies. After lunch my mom gave Arielle her gifts, a beautiful Princess Tea Set amongst other things. Then we headed to Nunny’s for a small birthday gathering out on the porch. Arielle just loves spending time with her great grandmother! After that we finished out the day at my in-laws where we had cupcakes out on the lawn and they gave her a convertible tricycle and matching helmet.

It turned out to be a very successful and fun day. But since I had already gathered most of the supplies and decorations, I decided to put together a peek at the party that would have been for our little Birthday Queen. 

How to Throw a Mermaid-Themed First Birthday Party

I spent a good portion of the Memorial Day Weekend assembling a three layer, tri-color cake, covered in fondant mermaid scales. I crushed butter cookies over the top to create a sandy beach and sprayed sugar shells with pearl food coloring. When you cut into the cake, mermaid sprinkles were hidden in the middle.

But the showstopper was this incredible cold porcelain cake topper that my mom got on Etsy. I picked up a glass dome at IKEA to keep it safe and it’s on display in Arielle’s room. It’s a great keepsake.

Since we were taking this show on the road, I also made cupcakes for everyone we visited. With special cupcake holders and mermaid picks, they came out just as pretty as the cake I had spent so much time on! And a party isn’t a party without food and drinks. I used a large shell cookie cutter to make “shell sandwiches” in some of Arielle’s favorite combinations: cucumber and cream cheese, lox and cream cheese, and peanut butter. Displaying them on these scalloped cake stands made everything look particularly beachy. Drinks were served in a seashell punch bowl which has become my new favorite party decoration. 

I found the cutest plates and napkins (linked to alternatives since the set I bought is no longer available) and some sparkly cups and “dinglehoppers” (if you don’t know what I’m talking about, why are you even throwing a mermaid-themed birthday party?). I am in love with this blush sequin tablecloth but to make it a bit more on-theme, I threw on some netting which you can find on Amazon or at any craft store. I bought this ombre mermaid scale backdrop and the cutest “Happy Birthday” sign online. I then wrapped her gifts in mermaid scale wrapping paper and ribbon.

Of course, the birthday girl had to have a special outfit, crown and a tutu for her high chair! 

After all of this work, Arielle was thrilled with her mermaid-themed First Birthday Party. And it’s a good thing because if we’re lucky, we’ll be using these decorations for her second birthday party next year. 

You can check out more of Arielle’s Adventures over on my Instagram. And if you have any ideas on how I can add to this spread for next year, please let me know in the comments.