It's a question that I see get asked a lot on party blogs and now it has been directed at me.
An anonymous reader posed the question "Are these parties about the kids or the parents? Just asking".
It's a question that, yes, I have asked myself before (my husband even jokes that we should be called "Parties for Parents") and while I can't answer for every party stylist out there, I'll give you my view.
I'll start by saying that when it comes to little kids (1-5 years) they couldn't care less about extravagant parties and elaborate dessert tables - just give them some cake and balloons, friends, family and presents and they are happy and in fact I let the party stylist in me take a rest and I recently did just that. My son turned two a few weeks ago - he loves balloons and the Wiggles and that's about it really, so, we celebrated his birthday very simply with a homemade cake (in the shape of the number 2) and lots of balloons in red, blue, yellow and purple - yep you guessed it Wiggles colours, he had a fabulous time and had a smile from ear to ear - which is what we all want to see, right.
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So why do we do it, why does a 1 year olds party have such a neatly arranged and perfectly styled dessert table? Once again I can only answer for myself, but for me it's an outlet for creativity, I have worked as a floral stylist and I enjoy making things look beautiful my work has now evolved into the styling of dessert tables so I too think it is important to show people what can be done.....to inspire. Everyone loves to look at pretty pictures.
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At the end of the day, the kids are going to be happy either way, sure they are not going to "get" the whole concept behind a dessert table but does it really matter? Yes a child's birthday is a day that is all about them but that doesn't mean there can't be something that appeals to the grown ups as well and having said that, seeing the kids eyes light up and the smiles on their faces when they see the dessert table is priceless.......so I'll ask you, Why can't the parents and the kids be happy?
And now, because we ALL love to look at pretty pictures, let's have a look at how some other talented party stylists do it.
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Hope I answered your question anonymous! Party On!
Kx
An anonymous reader posed the question "Are these parties about the kids or the parents? Just asking".
It's a question that, yes, I have asked myself before (my husband even jokes that we should be called "Parties for Parents") and while I can't answer for every party stylist out there, I'll give you my view.
I'll start by saying that when it comes to little kids (1-5 years) they couldn't care less about extravagant parties and elaborate dessert tables - just give them some cake and balloons, friends, family and presents and they are happy and in fact I let the party stylist in me take a rest and I recently did just that. My son turned two a few weeks ago - he loves balloons and the Wiggles and that's about it really, so, we celebrated his birthday very simply with a homemade cake (in the shape of the number 2) and lots of balloons in red, blue, yellow and purple - yep you guessed it Wiggles colours, he had a fabulous time and had a smile from ear to ear - which is what we all want to see, right.
So why do we do it, why does a 1 year olds party have such a neatly arranged and perfectly styled dessert table? Once again I can only answer for myself, but for me it's an outlet for creativity, I have worked as a floral stylist and I enjoy making things look beautiful my work has now evolved into the styling of dessert tables so I too think it is important to show people what can be done.....to inspire. Everyone loves to look at pretty pictures.
Styled by me for my son's 1st birthday.
At the end of the day, the kids are going to be happy either way, sure they are not going to "get" the whole concept behind a dessert table but does it really matter? Yes a child's birthday is a day that is all about them but that doesn't mean there can't be something that appeals to the grown ups as well and having said that, seeing the kids eyes light up and the smiles on their faces when they see the dessert table is priceless.......so I'll ask you, Why can't the parents and the kids be happy?
And now, because we ALL love to look at pretty pictures, let's have a look at how some other talented party stylists do it.
Styled for a child's bar mitzvah from the queen of dessert table styling Amy Atlas.
Styled by Sharnel Dollar for her daughter's 6th birthday.
Styled by Tracey Lau for her son's 1st birthday.
Styled by Leanne Ambrogio for her daughter's 2nd birthday.
You should do what you enjoy, what you are passionate about and what makes YOU happy, so if styling the perfect dessert table is it - then I say go for it and I'll enjoying looking at the pretty pictures when you post about it!
Hope I answered your question anonymous! Party On!
Kx