In keeping with our annual tradition, we wanted to share Clara’s invitation and a few of the party supplies, just like we did last year and the year before. Many of you have been guessing this year’s theme (after Clara chose worms last year) — so here’s the reveal: a dragon-themed celebration.
The dragon idea evolved more slowly than last year’s worm theme. Between Clara declaring Dragons Love Tacos her favorite book (we even read it to her preschool class) and her insistence on wearing a dragon cape around the house, it felt like a natural fit. She also started telling us that dragons were coming to her party, so we leaned into it.
Invitations went out last week, so that’s one big task checked off. For reference, her first birthday invite riffed on a weekly photo project theme, and last year’s chevron-y worms helped set a playful color palette.
For this year’s invite we wanted friendly, Clara-style dragons. The idea that Clara herself could be the dragon led us to try to capture an open-mouth portrait of her to simulate a little fire-breathing charm. Getting the right shot was trickier than expected, but when we saw the final photo we knew it was perfect — she looks playful and a little coy, like “oops, am I breathing fire?”
We created the graphics and text in Photoshop, aiming for a paper cut-out look. To get texture we scanned construction paper and layered cut shapes to produce a flame-like effect and a bit of tactile depth.
In previous years we printed through Winkflash because they allowed fully custom postcard printing. This year we used a Shutterfly promotion for 15 free 5 x 7 stationery postcards. We found blank postcards in the holiday section; they were already discounted and with our coupon we only paid shipping and a small rush upgrade. Total cost ended up being about ten dollars.
We’ll share a full recap after the party, but here’s a sneak peek at some of the decorations and favors.
Those dragon socks were 99 cents each at Target — Clara loves novelty socks so they make cute favors. The large ikat serving plate was a $6 clearance find. We’re also planning a dragon egg hunt, which explains the plastic eggs. The party will be low-key — about eight kids and fifteen adults. Clara helped me paint inexpensive wooden castles from Michael’s while the alarm system was installed at our new house; I thought they’d look sweet on the table and she loved the painting project.
The celebration will take place at our current house. We wanted Clara to have her three first birthdays and three Christmases there, and the new house isn’t quite ready to host guests yet — though the occasional centipede does lend a vaguely medieval atmosphere.
Psst—Tonight at 7pm we’ll be chatting with Kate Hall (aka Richmond Mom) about parenting, decorating with family in mind, and Mother’s Day gift ideas at the Barnes & Noble in Glen Allen (near Virginia Center Commons). The event includes a Q&A and a book signing — we’d love to see anyone who can make it.