AN I LOVE PARTIES VINTAGE CIRCUS PARTY

In May this year, my son and I had a combined Christening and 1st Birthday (him) and 30th Birthday (me...obviously). He and I share a Birthday which means double the party fun for the next couple of years (while I can still get away with it).

The theme was vintage circus - the perfect theme to cover all age groups.

The room was decorated with colourful banners, vintage circus posters and a "homemade" big top (long strips of calico and lots of red paint!).

The tables were decorated with red and white striped table runners, tin toys, circus megaphones and bunches of red, yellow, blue, green and white balloons.

Brown kraft paper favour bags were decorated with variety of ribbons and filled with old fashioned lollies (including large jaffas, sherbet bombs, bananas, bullseyes, conversation hearts and lollipops) and some red "Admit One" tickets.

We set up a fairy floss, peanut and popcorn stand for people to help themselves. The peanut and popcorn bags were from etsy.

We had the meal catered, and it was a lovely BBQ with fresh salads and bread. I printed signs for the "Big Top Bar" and "Big Top Buffet". The kids ate fairy bread, cheese sandwiches and cupcakes with clown toppers and drank ice cream sodas.

I found a beautiful vintage clown doll on eBay that I propped up on the cake table.

Almost all the supplies for this party are now available at I Love Parties (http://www.iloveparties.com.au/).

It was a brilliant day and I had a great time organising it. I just hope everyone had as nice time...

VINTAGE CIRCUS PARTY

Today we are looking a little more closely at the Vintage Circus Party theme - a really wonderful unisex theme that is fun for all ages. This party theme is a particular favourite because it was the catalyst for I LOVE PARTIES. I chose this theme for my son's first Birthday and it was a huge hit.

• Set up a fairy floss / peanut / popcorn stand. If your budget permits, why not hire a fairy floss or popcorn making machine.

• Fill your I♥PARTIES favour bags with lots of old-fashioned lollies, including red & white striped Bullseyes. We recommend Goodygoodygumdrops.

• Scatter or hand out some red and/or white admit one tickets.


• Make some signs for the "Big Top Buffet" and "Big Top Bar".


• Set up a "big top" in the backyard and drape it with red & white striped fabric. Alternatively, find or make some red & white striped fabric and string up a "big top" against a wall inside.

• If your budget permits, and the party goers are of the right age, why not hire a clown.