Party Spotlight: Turning Three in Radiator Springs
It all starts with an idea, and more often than not (especially with age) the party ✨IDEA✨ is inspired by a movie always on your TV, characters your child insists on wearing, and toys that fill your house, amen? Throwing a commercialized character party doesn't have to consist of matching trademark items off a themed wall in the party aisle. In fact, with Paper Plane - our goal is to avoid that concept completely by thinking outside the box!
By looking at the racing check runners, light up cactus, Rusteez Pringles Cans, and toys from home - you know EXACTLY where this party is taking you... *without* using one single Cars™️ or Disney©️ plate, napkin, or party supply. 😎
The invitation was a fun one to create, inspired by a Radiator Springs postcard, personalized with the highlights from Birthday Boy's big year to send friends and family. TIP: When you create an invitation THIS cute - order extra and use them as party decorations too! Bringing in black, metal barrels added texture and an automotive undertone, while also being a useful furniture piece to display the simple but adorable birthday cake! Adding wood textures and colors to the cake stand and centerpieces also helped achieve this rustic, Radiator Springs feel, and the location's brick walls and tall industrial ceilings framed it all perfectly.
Let's talk about that cake for a minute. 🍰 Did you know that this cake was ordered from a local Sam's Club plain? TIP: simplifying details like the cake can provide a blank canvas for your own personal touches. We added small versions of the centerpiece cacti, a toy from home, and a cardstock name in the perfect race font to complete this very cool and simple third birthday cake.
Guests were invited to decorate their own wooden race car and race in the main event: The Xander's3GrandPrix 💨🛞 and it was a blast for EVERYONE. Kids colored their cars and raced on a wooden ramp made with love by a talented wood-working grandparent, fans cheered from the sidelines, AND cartoon-eyed (courtesy of sun-shields ordered on Amazon) rock-crawlers surprised everyone outside with an appearance for photos to bring the party to the finish line.
This was a fun, active, but simple party to remember. Will you try to shop outside the box for your next trademark character party? Need some help? Let's talk - we love a challenge!