But when Briel came to our life, things changed. I now wanted to give him his 1st birthday party. Based on our observation, Briel do like to be around with kids. He do really wants to play with them as if he can run as what the older kids do. He keeps on kicking and shouting and smiling at them. He also loves to stare at colorful objects and the people around him. I wonder what is he thinking when he look at the person walking around or doing things. With that I believe he will still enjoy attending parties.
So as much as possible I would like to have as many kids as I can invited from our circle of friends and relatives' kids.
We (hubby and me) started planning his birthday party. They said planning must start 6 months before the event nowadays. It's the same concept why couples who are getting married starts their preparation 1 year ahead of time. Basically the reason is to get the best supplier at their current price before they increase. That's what inflation can do these days.
Briel's birthday party will be simple but happy. I still want my guests to feel the same way as they did during our wedding last 2008. Feel full in their stomach and bring home happy memories with lots of goodies hehe.
Okay, to start with, I surfed and joined forums regarding birthday preparations. That was my first time to prepare a birthday party for kids. I had some ideas in mind but I still wanted to get more ideas and experience in that area to make my simple birthday party a blast!
Well, I noticed that some suppliers for weddings were not the same suppliers for kid's party like photo and video, cakes, and others but of course balloons and food carts are not for weddings generally.
Maybe those suppliers i usually encounter in weddings are those who are already famous in the industry of wedding.
Enough of these introduction. Let's start planning.
Browsing through the net. I find these Elmo/Sesame Street themed parties and I so love it. Well in my time I seldom watch sesame streets. Batibot baby ako hehe..
CAKE
These are some inspiration pictures I got from the internet and have it made with some changes with my cake supplier, Iko's. They are the official cake supplier of Shakey's for birthdays.
These are some inspiration pictures I got from the internet and have it made with some changes with my cake supplier, Iko's. They are the official cake supplier of Shakey's for birthdays.
I just have the 3D Elmo topper made but Iko's
can only make the head for me. It's OK.
The box will have Sesame Streets characters (face only)
with Briel's name on top (all made of gum paste)
We roughly spend 3,000 pesos for this cake (one layer 12 inches round soft icing cake) plus free 12 pcs of cupcakes with no Elmo character topper made in gum paste. The 36 cupcakes plus 12 pcs free were also included in the 3k amount. The 36 cupcakes with free 12 pcs is a promo from Shakey's. Cakes and cupcakes are all chocolate moist. each cup cake cost 18 pesos. An additional of 16 pesos for any character topper. To sum-up I have paid 36 pcs cupcakes and got 24 pcs cupcakes for free.
The cup cakes look like this (I choose all red icing)
Actual Photos of the cakes and cup cakes amde by Iko's bakeshop.
Actual Photos of the cakes and cup cakes amde by Iko's bakeshop.
VENUE
The party will be held at Shakey's Makati Ave. branch at 11 AM. What I love on that place is since we only have 50-60 guest (I hope since i mistakenly did not counted the kids), the venue can accommodate up to 100 guest and it will be on the second floor. We can have our private party on a small and cozy place.I am very thankful that Shakey's particulary that branch is very lenient regarding the themes. Shake's carries only two theme character for birthday party, the power puff girl and Ben10. Though in our case we won't be getting their party packages and will provide your own amenities such as tarpaulin, souvenirs, place mats, balloons and etc. We were informed not to use any Ben10 or power puff girls stuff in the party.
We reserved 1000 for the 30 guaranteed order and added another 20 after few months. 30 is their minimum order. The reservation fee is consumable in case the event will be canceled. Sound system is already included in their package meal. package meal are cheaper than getting their bunch of lunch or fiesta meal alone with additional cost for the drinks and service charge. We got package C at 154.00 pesos. The food is similar to bunch of lunch with one round of ice tea. They also allowed us to get our own cake, food carts (ice cream- sorbetes type), face painting and others.
Ingress time is 1 hr before the event but they will allow us to start 2 hours before the event if there is no event ahead of us. Egress time is 30-45 minutes after the 2 hours limit party time. I'm fine with that. I just hope we could start setting-up 2 hours before the event.
FOOD CART AND FACE PAINT
We reserved ice cream cart (sorbetes) from Bukas Palad. Bukas palad is a is a non-government organization that provides sustainable development, education, livelihood, information and communication technology to needy children, elderly, urban poor, and victims of calamities and disasters.(exept from http://en.wikipilipinas.org/index.php?title=Bukas_Palad_Foundation_of_the_Philippines%2C_Inc.)
I was hesitant to push through our reservation with them because it seems they are difficult to be contacted. They don't even provide us a contract or any agreement that indicates the service we are getting from them. No downpayment is required. Payment will be settled on the event day which I find it weird. Few weeks ago (June 2010), I requested Fred to visit them and see what we can get. Fortunately, they are really a valid organization. They even sell foods. They have this little carindera thing outside their office. Fred was introduced to all staff and he was able to see children at their care. With this we decided to continue our sorbetes order from them. It cost 2200 for 3 gallons of 3 different favors.
The face paint on the other hand is a gift from a friend of mine. I don't have any idea how much does it cost but on some suppliers basic face painting cost around 2500-3500 depends on the paints to be used.
THE PHOTO
This is the first supplier we booked. I was with a friend in a bridal fair at Mega Mall last January 2010. This bridal fair features weddings and kiddie party suppliers. Due to some negotiations and freebies given to me by Nice Print courtesy of my friend (Nice Print was their official wedding photographer) I booked them at 9,000 pesos for a 8X10 size leather cover album with free 11X14 blow-up picture of my son in our choice of frame. I didn't bother upgrading the packing to include the video because it will cost 15,000 pesos. I can't spend that much anymore. Though as my preparation progress, I found some photo supplier that also provide the same service at lower price (6-7k). I was tempted to cancel our reservation but 1K is 1K. This is not refundable anymore. So we rather stay with Nice Print.
I find Nice Print staff slightly difficult to talk to. They don't even have our contract in their office because it was with their Boss who was at the bridal fair during that time when we paid our 50% down payment.
The second time we visited their office, we requested a specific photographer who will cover my son's birthday. We didn't bring the copy of our receipt and the contract. It was surprised to know that the contract was still not updated. They could even find the copy of the receipt. Good thing the lady at the front desk has this messy notes with lots of things written there wrote that we indeed paid the 50% DP.
We were also told that the pre-event pictorial starts 2 hours before the party. But the next time we finalize the time of the party to them, they said it should be one hour before the party. Again, i couldn't control my temper. I let my husband handle the talking with them. Luckily after explaining that we really would like to have our son pictorial for 1 hour only but we need a time for our son to rest first after the pictorial so that he is not tired during the party. The girl name Flor who is our main contact agreed on it and noted that the photographer will be arriving at the pre-event pictorial location at 9 AM.
Lesson learned: Always bring the receipt or contract/agreement signed when visiting the supplier's office for finalization of details and some request. My husband will also contact them a week before the event for confirmation if they indeed noted all things we requested from them from photographer to call time.
THE BALLOONS
I inquired from few balloon decorator suppliers mostly through online inquiry. Most balloon decorator hosted their business in Multiply and Facebook and less expensive than those who have a shop.
I booked Jojo of Mr. Balloonatics after comparing the prices and works of different suppliers. Basically all of them really good at their craft.
I got the package of 3500 for 100 pcs balloons with curling balloons for ceiling, 1 pair of pillar and 2 customized character standee with free cake arc and 20 pcs balloons on straw. He informed me that the balloons in straw that he will be using has no prints but on the event day the balloons has this "Happy Birthday" prints. Jojo is easy to deal with and you can ask for freebies easily. You can also have him copy a balloon decor.
LOOT BAGS AND CONTENTS
Where else can you find lots of goodies at very low price aside from Divisoria. From 168 to divisoria mall to new divisoria mall (the building right across divisoria mall along tabora st.)
We started buying few things months before the birthday event so that we wont need to shell out big amount of money at once. It will also help us save more for the next batch of buying those remaining items.
I bought these jigsaz puzzle at 30 pesos for 4 puzzles, crayolas at 8 pesos for 24 pcs of crayola but later on disposed due to the smell so i changed it to crayola brand at 13 pesos for 8 pcs in a box and sticker at 5 pesos.
For these pencil cases i found a store only one store at that time that sell this design of pencil case. Most pencil case found in divisoria are those with usual cartoon character designs and cars. So I immediately bought this at 3 for 100 pesos.
Coin banks in cylindrical shapes cost 6 pesos each. The rest I forgot really how much it cost already.
As for the loot bags in elmo print, the only shop that i saw that sells it is at Market Market in The Fort. It cost around 39 pesos for 10 pcs. We use that for balloon burst prizes containing edible goods such sa pop corn, marshmallows, chocolates and candies.
MY DO-IT-YOURSELF ITEMS
Balloon Centerpiece for Tables. It cost me around roughly 68 pesos for this alone (35 pesos for the mylar balloon, 3.25 each for 5 inches balloon, 6 pesos for the pot, 1 peso for the stick) which i think cheap enough. Though you can still look for cheaper mylar balloon at 20 pesos in divisoria mall basement though most characters available in divisoria are spongebob, hello kitty, nemo, winnie the pooh and mickey mouse. You can also find smaller pot at 2 pesos each near Juan Luna beside the stuff toy shop. There is a store there that sells paper plates, plastics etc.
Another table centerpiece. Using 7 pcs of 5 inches size balloons at 3.25, stick, pot, japanese paper for wrapping pots and white cement for 60 pesos in 1 kilo i was able to fill 6 pots.
Thank God, I learn how to do some basic lay outing in Adobe Photoshop. I was able to customized all printing needs for my son's birthday. I had the invitation printed at Simply Touch in Divisoria mall at 12 pesos each. The store is located at the 2nd floor near the escalator. They uses lazer printer and the result really was good.
The tarpaulin i made was printed at Tarpaulin Kingdom near Abad Santos-Recto. They print at 25 pesos per sq. ft.
All guest sheets, program cards, sticker for envelope seal, name tags were all printed at a local computer shop near SM manila. They charged us for an A4 sized photo paper prints at 20 pesos. The sticker was 5 pesos expensive than the photo paper prints.
These themed loot bags were made of cartolina at 5.50 pesos from National bookstore transformed into a paper bag with a string bought at carolinas. I printed out a sesame street photos downloaded from the net and use it as a decor with some embellishments use for scrap booking
The candy cart was transpired from some real party taken from the internet. But due to the limitation of the budget we decided to make our own candy cart. The jars and plates used were all borrowed from a friend for i find it not practical to buy those glass wares just to be used once. With the help of my brother-in-law who has experience in banquet arranged the candy table placing goodies such as choco mallows bought from Comfoods in Pasong Tamo Makati by bulk, gummy bears from Landmark, pop corn from kettle korn in small packs, waffle sticks and jellies. The candy table was opened as soon as the guests arrived.
We reserved ice cream cart (sorbetes) from Bukas Palad. Bukas palad is a is a non-government organization that provides sustainable development, education, livelihood, information and communication technology to needy children, elderly, urban poor, and victims of calamities and disasters.(exept from http://en.wikipilipinas.org/index.php?title=Bukas_Palad_Foundation_of_the_Philippines%2C_Inc.)
I was hesitant to push through our reservation with them because it seems they are difficult to be contacted. They don't even provide us a contract or any agreement that indicates the service we are getting from them. No downpayment is required. Payment will be settled on the event day which I find it weird. Few weeks ago (June 2010), I requested Fred to visit them and see what we can get. Fortunately, they are really a valid organization. They even sell foods. They have this little carindera thing outside their office. Fred was introduced to all staff and he was able to see children at their care. With this we decided to continue our sorbetes order from them. It cost 2200 for 3 gallons of 3 different favors.
The face paint on the other hand is a gift from a friend of mine. I don't have any idea how much does it cost but on some suppliers basic face painting cost around 2500-3500 depends on the paints to be used.
THE PHOTO
This is the first supplier we booked. I was with a friend in a bridal fair at Mega Mall last January 2010. This bridal fair features weddings and kiddie party suppliers. Due to some negotiations and freebies given to me by Nice Print courtesy of my friend (Nice Print was their official wedding photographer) I booked them at 9,000 pesos for a 8X10 size leather cover album with free 11X14 blow-up picture of my son in our choice of frame. I didn't bother upgrading the packing to include the video because it will cost 15,000 pesos. I can't spend that much anymore. Though as my preparation progress, I found some photo supplier that also provide the same service at lower price (6-7k). I was tempted to cancel our reservation but 1K is 1K. This is not refundable anymore. So we rather stay with Nice Print.
I find Nice Print staff slightly difficult to talk to. They don't even have our contract in their office because it was with their Boss who was at the bridal fair during that time when we paid our 50% down payment.
The second time we visited their office, we requested a specific photographer who will cover my son's birthday. We didn't bring the copy of our receipt and the contract. It was surprised to know that the contract was still not updated. They could even find the copy of the receipt. Good thing the lady at the front desk has this messy notes with lots of things written there wrote that we indeed paid the 50% DP.
We were also told that the pre-event pictorial starts 2 hours before the party. But the next time we finalize the time of the party to them, they said it should be one hour before the party. Again, i couldn't control my temper. I let my husband handle the talking with them. Luckily after explaining that we really would like to have our son pictorial for 1 hour only but we need a time for our son to rest first after the pictorial so that he is not tired during the party. The girl name Flor who is our main contact agreed on it and noted that the photographer will be arriving at the pre-event pictorial location at 9 AM.
Lesson learned: Always bring the receipt or contract/agreement signed when visiting the supplier's office for finalization of details and some request. My husband will also contact them a week before the event for confirmation if they indeed noted all things we requested from them from photographer to call time.
THE BALLOONS
I inquired from few balloon decorator suppliers mostly through online inquiry. Most balloon decorator hosted their business in Multiply and Facebook and less expensive than those who have a shop.
I booked Jojo of Mr. Balloonatics after comparing the prices and works of different suppliers. Basically all of them really good at their craft.
I got the package of 3500 for 100 pcs balloons with curling balloons for ceiling, 1 pair of pillar and 2 customized character standee with free cake arc and 20 pcs balloons on straw. He informed me that the balloons in straw that he will be using has no prints but on the event day the balloons has this "Happy Birthday" prints. Jojo is easy to deal with and you can ask for freebies easily. You can also have him copy a balloon decor.
LOOT BAGS AND CONTENTS
Where else can you find lots of goodies at very low price aside from Divisoria. From 168 to divisoria mall to new divisoria mall (the building right across divisoria mall along tabora st.)
We started buying few things months before the birthday event so that we wont need to shell out big amount of money at once. It will also help us save more for the next batch of buying those remaining items.
For these pencil cases i found a store only one store at that time that sell this design of pencil case. Most pencil case found in divisoria are those with usual cartoon character designs and cars. So I immediately bought this at 3 for 100 pesos.
Coin banks in cylindrical shapes cost 6 pesos each. The rest I forgot really how much it cost already.
As for the loot bags in elmo print, the only shop that i saw that sells it is at Market Market in The Fort. It cost around 39 pesos for 10 pcs. We use that for balloon burst prizes containing edible goods such sa pop corn, marshmallows, chocolates and candies.
MY DO-IT-YOURSELF ITEMS
Balloon Centerpiece for Tables. It cost me around roughly 68 pesos for this alone (35 pesos for the mylar balloon, 3.25 each for 5 inches balloon, 6 pesos for the pot, 1 peso for the stick) which i think cheap enough. Though you can still look for cheaper mylar balloon at 20 pesos in divisoria mall basement though most characters available in divisoria are spongebob, hello kitty, nemo, winnie the pooh and mickey mouse. You can also find smaller pot at 2 pesos each near Juan Luna beside the stuff toy shop. There is a store there that sells paper plates, plastics etc.
Another table centerpiece. Using 7 pcs of 5 inches size balloons at 3.25, stick, pot, japanese paper for wrapping pots and white cement for 60 pesos in 1 kilo i was able to fill 6 pots.
Thank God, I learn how to do some basic lay outing in Adobe Photoshop. I was able to customized all printing needs for my son's birthday. I had the invitation printed at Simply Touch in Divisoria mall at 12 pesos each. The store is located at the 2nd floor near the escalator. They uses lazer printer and the result really was good.
The tarpaulin i made was printed at Tarpaulin Kingdom near Abad Santos-Recto. They print at 25 pesos per sq. ft.
All guest sheets, program cards, sticker for envelope seal, name tags were all printed at a local computer shop near SM manila. They charged us for an A4 sized photo paper prints at 20 pesos. The sticker was 5 pesos expensive than the photo paper prints.
