Lockdowns are over and parties are back on. We say it’s time: go big for your babies, or go home.
The last few years have been especially tough on parents with kids. Home schooling, lockdowns and isolation from friends and family. But this year feels different. This year, parties are back. And we say, go big or go home.
Did you hear the news? It’s 2022 and parties are officially back on. With most adults in the country vaccinated - and plenty of kids following suit - things have opened up in a big way and we couldn’t be happier. I don’t know about you, but my kid is a June baby and after two years of celebrating his birthday solo in the middle of lockdown, he’s absolutely, straight-up pumped to turn five with a bang - alongside a bunch of his friends for the first time ever. And he’s not the only one. Since the start of the year my social calendar has been taken up with baby showers, kids birthdays and adult’s belated birthdays. (42 is totally the new 40, amirite?)
If you’re planning a celebration in 2022, we think you owe it to yourself to go big. Whether you’re organising a baby shower, a birthday party or just a good old fashioned backyard BBQ bash, we’ve found the goods to set the scene.
It’s a bouncing baby… shower!
Baby showers have definitely been put on the back burner the last few years which is a shame because they’re such an important day for mums-to-be, both to celebrate the amazing way your life is about to change, and to share it with the people you love most. (And, let’s face it, to get some sweet gifts!) But now they’re back on, which means if you’re pregnant - or you have a special friend who is - it’s time to get celebrating that beautiful bump.
Set the scene with these themed “It’s a Boy” and “It’s a Girl” balloons or if your party is doubling as a gender reveal party, grab one of these “He or she, pop to see!” balloons in either pink or blue.
If it’s table settings you’re after, look no further than these “Oh Baby” napkins, plates and bunting. They’ll provide the perfect accompaniment for a long lunch or tasteful cocktail party.
And because it’s not a baby shower without a few games (which we can now play IRL!) grab a set of baby-themed charades or (if your party is determined to keep things real) a “poopy diaper game”. As someone who has been to a fair few baby showers (and had one of my own) lemme tell you: the more fun you have with the harsh reality of what is coming when bub arrives, the better!
A first birthday to remember
If you happened to be one of those new mamas who spent most of the last year at home in lockdown, you’ve got more reason than most to celebrate like crazy when your kid turns one. That first year of parenthood is nuts in normal times, but throw in a pandemic, border closures, working from home and isolation from friends and family and you deserve to mark the first 365 days with an at-home margarita bar and a ticker-tape parade.
If those things aren’t quite within your budget, however, you can still throw a pretty lovely first birthday. While plenty of people do paperless post, there’s something kind of nice about sending old-school invitations and it’s a great way to set the theme early. From jungle-themed to Thomas the Tank Engine, there are endless options out there.
When it comes to decorating, the sky's the limit. Think giant letter or number balloons, decorative garlands or this deluxe 1st birthday highchair set, just perfect for the special birthday kid.
When your child has very specific requests…
Anyone with little kids knows that they go through phases. My own son went through a fairly hectic Frozen obsession… followed by a total fascination with dinosaurs and is now completely one-eyed about anything LEGO. (No prizes for guessing what the theme for his long-awaited 5th birthday will be)
Luckily, these days, there’s party gear to suit any obsession. Got a kid who is barking mad for Bluey? Why not grab this Bluey bundle, complete with table settings, invitations, bunting and photo props. There are also bundles for the Spiderman obsessed, Paw Patrol preoccupied, Frozen fans and the Avengers…Assembly. (Geddit?)
No matter what your kid is into, it’s easy these days to find the party theme to match. Whether it’s a Batman costume or a Cocomelon balloon, an Encanto table decoration or a Wiggles pinata, it’s super simple to throw a party that will blow their minds.
It’s been a very long two years. So whatever you’re celebrating, we say go big and do it in style. Whether you’ve survived the first year of parenthood, homeschooled your kids like a boss or rung in a major milestone of your own, you deserve to celebrate with bunting, balloons and a very, very big drink. Congratulations, and enjoy your day!
This article was brought to you by Kidspot and BIG W