Shayna, from Dallas, wrote in asking for some inspiration in planning her baby girl's MONKEY themed first birthday. Here are some fun ideas and if anyone out there has additional ideas for Shayna, leave a comment! Let's help Shayna celebrate her "little monkey" in a fabulous way!
Monkey themes have gone more modern lately, which thrills me. I love the bold, but modern lines of the sock monkey type image.
In realizing that everyone is either not crafty or just doesn't have the time to be crafty, there are plenty of great "store bought" monkey supplies that you can pick and choose from these days.
This set from Paper and Napkins:
This one from 1st Wishes:
My friend Jennifer of Nounces Design, makes a great invitation that fits with the above set or she can create something specific to your color scheme or any theme... not just monkey.
Parties by Hardie has full kits you can purchase that are handmade. Still "store bought" but without the look of the store. Love the napkin rings and treat bags!
The key to any theme like this is finding a main element and working around it. Take those yellow plates above and those cupcakes, and add on something creative like these banana sugar cookies made from half of a circle cookie cutter.
Notice the plate that they sit on. Details like these plates that tie in with the theme are what make a party come together. It's one of those things that someone may not notice right off the bat, but makes a person oooh and ahhh.
And what about these cute handmade monkey pinatas? Even if your child and their guests aren't old enough for the game, they really make a decorative statement and are great space filler! Look at how LARGE these are. I could really see putting a piece of painted circular wood on top and making toddler tables out of them!
Love this banner by LePoppy Design:
Pull in some greenery for easy themed decor. Order banana leaves. They make great filler and tie in perfectly. Make a large arrangement and stick in a couple bananas. To make the bananas stand up, spray paint dowel rods green and stick into the bananas.
If you're using the sock monkey theme, buy a small monkey and include him in the centerpiece or leaning up against the vase. Burlap or netting would make a nice tablecloth for the main table.
Get a roll of thick twine and hang monkeys from it.
Food can tie in with this party as well. Of course, the cake! Love the mini donut ears!
Want to do cupcakes? Of course, cupcake toppers are everywhere, but I'm loving this different take on them. Felt! Better than your average flat printed ones. Get them here.
that you can now buy pre-made hand painted fondant cupcake toppers. Beautiful! These are from Clineffs Confections.
And look at these! wow! From Raspberry Pink
Most children like chocolate covered frozen bananas on a stick.
Or, if you're having a cookout, try the BBQ'd chocolate bananas! Not the best LOOKING thing in the world, but they are heaven. Slice a banana lengthwise, leave it in the peel and fill with pieces of chocolate and marshmellow. Heat it up on the grill!
This party is a great excuse to incorporate healthy foods like fruit skewers, etc.
Of course, I've been known to tie in my son's attire to his party theme. Some people think it's corny, but oh well. I've only got a little bit longer to dress him before he says no. hehe
Shirts by Jill Alvarez.
Just a few ideas to get the creativity flowing. Like I said, if you've thrown a monkey themed party or have ideas, please feel free to leave a comment.
Hopefully Shayna will take lots of pictures to share with us!!!
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Wow, thank you so much, those chocolate stuffed bananas sound wonderful, this really helped me get the wheels turning in my head and I can't wait to execute them, of course I will share pictures, the party is Aug 1.
Posted by: Shayna | June 19, 2009 at 07:04 AM
Thank you for featuring my mod monkey invitation! Lots of great ideas here!
Posted by: Jennifer@nounces.com | June 19, 2009 at 08:22 AM
What about a whimsical, interactive and eco-friendly monkey wall sticker?
Greenie2Steps is a new, Boston-based company dedicated to making the world a greener place, one leaf at a time. All educational products are safe, non-toxic peel and stick pieces of wall art featuring a host of animal characters. Our jungle scene has the CUTEST monkey. The website features Greenie in her pineapple plane. So fun!
Hope you like it!
Posted by: Cassandra Nicholson | June 19, 2009 at 10:15 AM
Oriental Trading (my old favorite) has a few different types of monkey-theme party supplies. Another place to get good party stuff is www.joissu.com - they have a lot of toys, candy, etc. that is great for when you need more then a few of something at good prices. [I did a "Beach Monkey Luau" for my son's 1st birthday last year and got a lot of things from OT...it is a fun theme to work with.] Can't wait to see pics.
Posted by: Tiffanie Burger | June 20, 2009 at 12:25 PM
I love your blog! adorable monkey stuff; my little boy would love it all.
Posted by: Aimee | June 24, 2009 at 05:35 AM
We did a safari themed party for my son's first birthday, but it was heavily monkey themed! He had a shirt like the one in this post (monkey on the front, 1 on the back) and a monkey crown that I ordered from Parties by Hardie. Anyway, there are lots of pictures on my blog, including a wonderful monkey cake that my MIL made if anyone wants to check it out!
http://southerndomesticgoddess.blogspot.com/2009/06/birthday-party-fun.html
Posted by: Cassie | July 05, 2009 at 05:56 AM
Thank you so much for the banner shout out! A client let me know that they found me via your site - thank you! I'll be back again and again!
Posted by: Le Poppy Design | July 07, 2009 at 12:58 PM
I just wanted to thank you again for all the great ideas, here's a link to my party for my monkey.
http://texasmonkey.blogspot.com/2009/08/happy-birthday-monkey-themed-birthday_03.html
hope you like what I did.
Posted by: shayna | August 13, 2009 at 10:29 AM
We did a sock monkey party for my son's first birthday earlier this year. Everything from cupcake toppers, custom gift bags to a custom cake topper is here:
www.sockmonkeyparty.com
Posted by: Tommie | August 14, 2009 at 01:23 PM
There are free monkey magnets here!
http://lemondropstudio.blogspot.com/2009/08/giveaway-love_14.html
Posted by: Tommie | August 14, 2009 at 01:29 PM
WHERE DID YOU GET THOSE SHIRTS MADE? WAY CUTE!
Posted by: ERICA | July 02, 2010 at 11:41 AM
Your existing blogs normally have a whole lot of very as much as date information. Wherever do you arrive up with this? Just declaring you could be highly resourceful. Thanks yet again.
Posted by: Creative Recreation | August 02, 2010 at 12:12 AM