I can be a bit controlling when it comes to organizing or decorating for parties. It’s kind of a problem. I like to know that I have complete creative control over how everything will look and how the event will flow. Because of this, it is really hard for me to let go of control. So, at the beginning of the year, with my pregnant belly ever-expanding and my daughter’s fourth birthday fast-approaching I was conflicted. How could I make sure her special day was extra special with my due date just a week after her birthday? This Frozen-themed birthday party post is in collaboration with Oriental Trading. All opinions are my own.
a Frozen-themed 4th birthday party
learning to let go
Mike and I had never thrown one of our children a birthday party at an event place before. As much fun as I knew my kids would have, I just couldn’t bring myself to let go of control. Whereas some parents love the extra help, leaving the prep to someone else made me anxious. However, and thankfully, my husband is a wise man. Mike helped me realize that throwing a party just a couple of weeks before my due date might not be the best idea.
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Eventually something clicked and I realized that in the end all that mattered was that my daughter have a fun birthday party. That’s it. Not the fun themed activities I had planned. Or the fact that someone else would be dictating what time we played and what time we ate cake. JUST the fact that my daughter had a fun birthday party with her friends.
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And guess what? She did have a great party. She had such a fun time at her Frozen-themed birthday party and was beaming with pride and excitement all day. Our daughter was thrilled to see every friend that came and every element in her party room. Unsurprisingly, she didn’t complain once that we hadn’t played with pretend snow or jumped in a Frozen-themed bounce house or consumed blue cotton candy. She was just a thankful kid who had fun despite the fact that her mother hadn’t been in complete control.
finding the perfect balance with Oriental Trading
I knew that my daughter wanted a Frozen-themed party and cake. The problem was–how was I supposed to give her that at an event place with generic decorations? Luckily, after speaking to a local indoor playground center I learned that I might be able to have a little bit of say in things after all. Especially since we wanted to book her party for a weekday when they were much less busy. So once we had reserved our party venue (still with a little bit of reluctance on my part) I got to planning the part that I could control a little bit–the party décor.
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I turned to Oriental Trading and discovered an array of Frozen-themed items. They had themed paper goods, favors, décor, and some generic snowflake items that I added in. I might not have had any say in the bright murals on the walls of the party room, but I was able to cover the brightly colored tables with a light blue plastic tablecloth and bring in my own paper goods and table decorations. I also strung some snowflakes up over the windows. Lastly, I added snowflake wands to the fronts of our party favors.
in the end…
It all turned out for the best. Not only did the birthday girl have an amazing time, but the weather being pretty cold that day and it rained. Plus, it ended up being just a week before our newest little bundle of joy joined our family. By that point my body had had it. Once we left the party I was able to go home to a clean house and put my swollen, pregnant feet up to rest a little. Talk about a perk and big win!
Do you have a hard time letting go off control? Or do you embrace someone else taking on the party stress?
49 Responses to Frozen-themed birthday party and letting go
When it comes to parties I’m a total mess stressed with every detail. I’m nervous about how my house will look after 10 or so kids run threw it. If it’s in the budget I’d rather have it somewhere else like an event place to save my own sanity. I like when someone else does the set up and clean up. Food is usually included in the price and takes away the what should we feed everyone. If my child wants a themed party then I’m fine with picking out a few decorations and bringing them to venue.
It can definitely be stressful, but for some reason I enjoy it! LOL. However, after my recent experience I am definitely seeing that there are lots of positive things about having it somewhere other than your own home!
Yeah, it is so hard to relinquish event planning control, And I’ve worked as an event planner, so I’ve been on both sides of that! This was really helpful since I’m planning birthday celebrations for both my little boys in the next couple of weeks! And, the last thing I want to do is really stress myself out.
It was hard to let go of control for me, but in this situation it was the best thing for me! And for the birthday girl!
What a happy little girl! Kids love birthday parties as long as there is cake and presents haha. I also used Oriental Trading Company for my sons dinasour themed birthday party 😄
Oriental Trading has so many great supplies on their website for any party! Thanks for your comment Annie!
Such a sweet read, congrats on the new baby! Although I don’t have children of my own yet, I feel that your advice here on “letting go of control” can be useful in so many different aspects of life, whether it’s in relationships or work, it can certainly be applied. Thanks for the good read!
So true, it’s definitely applicable to lots of different aspects of life. Thanks for your sweet comment!
We are a family that loves “Frozen”. The party looks like it was such a memory maker.
The birthday girl had such a great time, it was a fun day for sure!
the best parties for our kids are the ones that are at a party place. Oftentimes more than I’d like to spend but it takes away so much stress!
It was a really fun day, and yes, more than we would typically spend, but for this party it was worth it!
This looks like a great party and I love the favors. I bet she had a blast <3
Thank you so much Bethany, I was really pleased with how the favors turned out!
I have scaled back so much when it comes to parties and hosting at a location is the best since I don’t have to worry about cleaning before and after!
And you are the queen of planning and hosting so you definitely know what you’re talking about Ashley!
I still haven’t planned a themed birthday party for Little! His first, we just had our family and neighbors over and his second, we went to the zoo and celebrated with family after since my brother got married the same weekend. Year 3 might be the one I plan a real party for. I love how this turned out though. Your daughter looks so happy and really for the best that you could go home and relax after without dealing with tons of cleaning!
Oh my gosh, she was SO happy and appreciative all day, it was so much fun! The zoo sounds like a great time too!
She looks so happy. I am already starting to plan a Disney themed party for my youngest. You’re inspiring me.
I have been wanting to do a Disneyland-themed party forever, lol, I think there are so many fun ways you can take any type of Disney theme!
Awe! This turned out so cute! I love it. We love frozen too.
Thank you so much, all the kids had a blast!
such an adorable theme for a party and you did a great job! I love having creative control as well so I totally get it.
Isn’t it so hard to hand the reins over to somewhere else??
The party turned out so cute! It was nice that you still got to plan a little bit of the details to customize it more and your little one looks like she loved it!
I agree, it was the perfect combo of making it easier on myself and still getting to be in charge of some things.
what a fun party! Frozen is such a popular theme!!
LOL, I know, it really is, but you gotta go with what the birthday girl wants, right?? 😀 She’d probably have a Frozen party every year if she could!
I’ve tried to be less of a control freak in this area as well. It looks like she had a great time!
She really did have a great time and that’s all that matters!
That sounds like a great party! I’ve been going simpler each year and might do something similar this year!
Yes, I’ve been trying to simplify this year too so this really did work out well, even though it was hard for me to let go!
I had to giggle a bit at your comment of needing to be in control of every detail because I am the SAME way! And I’m not even a mom yet! ahh! I threw my husband a themed 30th surprise birthday party last year and planned for months and the day of setting it all up I was like a crazy person! Kudos to you for doing this all while expecting – and so close to her birthday! Everything looked beautiful and I’m so glad your daughter had a wonderful time! Great job mommy! ☺️
Aww, thank you so much! But yes, we’re obviously kindred spirits in the control area! It can be so hard Kayla, but in the end the birthday girl was happy and it all turned out great!
Looks like it was a fun time! I have yet to have a party at a place yet as well. One day I’m sure I will.
It was so much fun and the birthday girl had such a fantastic time! There are definitely pros and cons to having a party at an event center like that!
I love the snowflake wands! Sometimes you have to take a step back, especially when you’re very pregnant and don’t have the energy to plan an extravagant party! You’re right, the most important part is that she had fun.
Aren’t the wands so cute?! Yes, ti was hard for me to accept, but it was the best decision for sure!
Aww, this is so cute. I’m glad the birthday girl enjoyed her party 🙂
Thank you so much, she had a fantastic time!
Such cute party decor, my girls love Frozen too! Hosting parties can be so stressful, but in the end all that matters is that everyone has a good time!
Yes, so true! And she really did have a great time, it’s all about keeping the right perspective!
This party looks absolutely perfect!!! Good for you ❤️
Thank you so much, everyone seemed to have a great time, especially the birthday girl!
I am so with you on having a hard time letting go of control! Thats me too! But honestly the thought of someone else doing the clean up and me just being able to go home and nap sounds sooo good! Maybe I should give it a shot haha.
Yes, I don’t know if we’ll go this route every time from now on, but it was definitely the right choice for this time!
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