Monday, August 28, 2017 Events Kids

Damien's Jungle Safari-Themed 1st Birthday Party at Papa John's, QC

Sooo... all I could say is time flies really fast too fast actually. In fact, I could still remember how I used to stay at home and enjoy my three-month maternity leave, go out to give my baby some needed sunshine, breastfeed all day, every day, anytime, and even anywhere. How sentimental it is for me to vividly remember the sound of his infant small cry to now a commanding and demanding talking/goo-goo-gaga tone (much like the movie Boss Baby, hehe.) He started walking before at 10 months and now past one, he's walking, running and jumping until he feels tired. He's learning a lot at a faster pace compared to his brothers when they were babies.

So yeah, we all happily celebrated his 1st year birthday at Papa John's in QC with a Jungle Safari theme. We've scouted many venues and restaurants around Quezon City, we really wanted a pizza-chicken-pasta party, but not in a venues we've had parties before. Thanks to the internet, saw that Papa John's QC is open for parties with complete party packages and food we prefer, we booked our party. Though they offer party packages, we opted not to get them so I may maximize the services and package inclusions I got from other party suppliers.

Good thing about Papa John's they didn't charge unbelievable corkage fees (like others do) for party suppliers. So today in this post, I will be sharing with you the Jungle Safari themed party elements which we executed that happy day. Party suppliers will also be shared below so in case you'd also want to get them, you could check out their services and rates. Enjoy! :)

VENUE DECOR:

I found Reds Party Shop in a Facebook Group for party planning. I compared rates from other suppliers and theirs came the most sulit, not necessarily the cheapest. I was fortunate to also book them during their promo period. The package I got included the following decor:
Themed stage backdrop with Damien's name

Welcome Signage

Balloons:

- 100 pcs Ceiling balloons

- 12 Table centerpieces

Two (2) Pillars

One (1) Cake Arc

FAMILY COSTUME:
Instead of dressing up Damien as one of the Safari animals, I dressed him up as the Zoologist. He leads our team. The rest of the family wore a white top and khaki cargo shorts.
I just bought Damien's top khaki polo for less than Php 300 (it was on sale!) and shoes for Php350 (which we forgot to let him wear!) But what he was wearing here was the brown sandals which I bought from Divisoria for only Php100. I DIYed his name plate by the way. :)

DESSERT BUFFET TABLE:
I proudly and joyfully DIYed the dessert table.

I didn't want too many candies so the dessert buffet was comprised

with the following treats which both kids and kids-at-heart love:

Cupcakes

Marshmallows

Stik-O's

Gem Biscuits

Gummy Candies
Read more here: Damien's Jungle Safari Dessert Buffet
I bought the dessert treats from the supermarket. Used mom's white trays, used the gifted wooden boxes to elevate the plates. I also made use of the cake stand I also got as a gift. The vintage luggage were my mom's and the stuffed animals were just sitting somewhere in my kids' room played roles in keeping up with the theme. The mylar letter balloons were Php15 each at Divisoria. The backdrop used for the gold letter balloons were from orange and brown crepe papers which I cut in strips and stuck one by one at a long jute string (also just sitting in my arts and crafts box).

CAKE AND CUPCAKES:

I have a Pinterest account and when you are planning for an event, any event like birthday, weddings, baptism or anything else, Pinterest is heaven for inspirations. The cake was done by Damien's ninang, Shae Mendoza-Conducto of Delishaes cake. I gave her my pegs and she executed it waaay better, plus I tell you the taste of her MOIST CHOCOLATE cake is as good as how the cake looks. As her gift, She gave the cupcakes as freebies to me!

SAFARI LOOT BOX/PARTY GIVEAWAY:

Because I am not a fan of hard candies, I chose cookies, chocolates, marshmallows, and gelatin as content in the loot boxes. I included small toys like blowing bubbles, clay, and pencil as well. I bought the Safari boxes online through a mompreneur, but these are available in Divisoria.

The Thank You sticker label was personally made by us.

INVITATION

I think ever since we started throwing our children their birthday parties, we'd always personally design them. Again thanks to the internet because that's where we get our pegs for the design.

Husband made this invitation and map to the venue via Adobe Photoshop. He also got pegs from Pinterest as well. Thanks also to Google Maps by the way! :)
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PHOTOBOOTH

The photobooth was part of the package I got from Reds Party Shop. But I want to show you the design of the photo prints which the supplier designed based on Damien's party invitation and photo shoot. I love the quality of the pictures and the photo prints as well. It came with a cardboard frame. The photos, both raw individual photos and the photo layout, were uploaded the following day.

PAPA JOHN'S FOOD

We had a total of 100 adults and 30 kids during the party. Initially we ordered food good for only 120pax anticipating that some of our invitees wouldn't be able to make it. So we ordered 12 of their BIG TIME FEAST good for 12 pax per feast which includes:

22 Family Pizzas (Specialty, Pepperoni, Cheese)

32 Pasta Platters (Spaghetti and Carbonara)

12 dozens of Flavored Wings (Soy Honey, Buffalo and Hickory BBQ)

22 pitchers of Iced Tea

PARTY ACTIVITIES/PROGRAM:

The Host/Magician was part of Reds Party Shop's package. The kids enjoyed the games and entertainment so much that they were going crazy laughing and engaging with the magician all throughout (feeling ko sugar rush ata from the dessert buffet eh!)

I also had a Best In Costume contest and the winners were soooooo adorable! Ang cuuute!

Side activity, face painting, was open from while waiting for the party to start until it finished. The artist and the activity was also part of the package I got from Reds Party Shop. I bought 60 pcs of game prizes for kids and 20 prizes for adults as well. Everybody came home with something and sobrang daming prizes na nag-iisip na lang kami in the end ng extra games to be able to give them all away. I also raffled prizes for the adults! It was so much fun to give and give and give! :)

So there you have it, Damien's super fun Jungle Safari themed 1st birthday party. I'm sure this is the part of the post which you've been waiting for, the list of suppliers and our party expense right? Here you go:

SUPPLIERS/COST:
*Their prices/rates/packages may change without prior notice and also depending on the inclusions or designs. I highly suggest you contact them directly for rates. Thanks!)

1. Photo and Video services (plus make-up!) - R & L Prints/Photography: Php 6,400
2. Venue Decor/Entertainment (Hosting/Magic Show/Face painting)/Photobooth - Reds Party Shop: Php 13,500
3. Cake - Delishaes Cakes Php 2,300 (cupcakes were given as gifts)
4. Papa John's Food (good for 130 pax) - Php 26,600
5. DIY Dessert Buffet (plus props) - P700
6. Divisoria Prizes and Loot boxes giveaways/content - Php 1,000
7. Costume/Clothes - Php 500
TOTAL: PHP 51,000

So if you are planning for your child's party, one of the best tips I could give is to have a budget budget in mind, list down the things you need for the party and also the nice to haves. If budget permits, you can get the extras. But you have to learn to let go of things that will not fit the budget. Lastly, enjoy every moment of party planning and of course the party itself!

To all moms out there planning their child's birthday party, may you find this post helpful and inspirational. Happy planning and God bless you and your children! :)

Louise Antonette

Hi, I'm Louise Fandiño Santos, a wife, a mom of all boys and a campaigns strategist by profession. My family, singing, flowers, chocolates, coffee, and traveling make me happy. I passionately blog about pretty and practical things and choices concerning motherhood, relationships, food, travel, events, and shopping. MORE?