LOCATION AND THEME
When thinking of locations for my son’s New York birthday party I did not consider conventional kids’ locations. I wanted something completely and totally New York City. Instantly the iconic Waldorf=Astoria came to mind. Using The Waldorf=Astoria allowed me access to the hotel’s amenities. The suite came fully stocked with beautiful loungelike furniture. Room service provided the best party food.
INVITATIONS
I found a great black-and-white vintage photo of the hotel entrance for the front of the invitation. My friend Lior is a graphic designer and, as his birthday gift, he Photoshopped images of my son and his dog Lulu Flynn into the picture so it looked as if they were standing outside the Waldorf=Astoria.
TOYS
I brought toys from home, a rug, and blankets for the kids to lie on throughout the party along with play tents and stuffed animals.
FOOD
I selected food that everyone likes and is easy to pick up and eat. No plates, just finger food: French fries, mini pizza, grilled cheese, French toast cutouts that spelled LUCAS and pita sandwiches in personalized wrappers
DRINKS
Personalize water bottles by ripping off the existing label and creating your own. This way you don’t have to use glasses.
SWEETS
Mrs. Beasley’s cookies and cupcakes with a picture of my son imprinted onto the treats, shipped from Los Angeles. (A big party tip of mine is to always have something at the party that you can’t get in the place where you are.)
THE CAKE
I ordered a car-shaped cake from the Waldorf=Astoria: a basic white sheet cake decorated with cars and sparkler candles.
DECORATIONS
To add a personal touch to the party I designed a few stickers on my computer and printed them out as labels to use for decoration.
I designed a sandwich wrap on my computer with my son’s nicknames and made photocopies. used the L stickers to seal the wraps.
For a finishing touch I designed a large square HAPPY BIRTHDAY sticker on my computer with a photograph of my son to put on the gift bags.
RESOURCE GUIDE
THE WALDORF=ASTORIA
301 Park Avenue
212-355-3000
INVITATIONS
LIOR ZAKEN
Graphic Designer
liorzak@yahoo.com
PHOTO COOKIES, CUPCAKES
MRS. BEASLEYS
mrsbeasleys.com
BROWNIES
FAIRYTALE BROWNIES
brownies.com
CHILDREN’S MONOGRAMMED NAPKINS, STOOLS, PLAY EQUIPMENT, INFLATABLE CHAIRS, LARGE STUFFED ANIMALS
IKEA
ikea.com
MONOGRAMMED NAPKINS THE ELEGANT SETTING
theelegantsetting.com
PERSONALIZED CD
nameyourtune.com
ENTERTAINMENT
DOWNTOWN BABIES EDUCATIONAL PLAY AND MUSIC CLASS
downtownbabies.com
