I'm excited to share my son's FIRST birthday with you all–a Notorious BIG party! It's weird to think that the very first party I shared on this site, was my daughters' (one and only) shared party. It was a candy themed party––11 years ago. Wow . . . how times flies! (Proof in this guy's monthly photos from his first year!)
I knew I wanted to do a Notorious O.N.E. theme for our son Reid's 1st birthday (my all time favorite 90's rapper) and I knew I wanted to keep the colors simple and neutral.
When I did a quick search, I stumbled upon another party that was EXACTLY what I would want. So, given 2020 has sucked all the creativity out of my "mom brain", I basically just replicated it. No shame here. I loved every detail and just didn't want to reimagine it.
Given Covid and our families social distancing efforts, the party was tiny and in our home. Just our immediate family attended but we still had an amazing time celebrating our little Reid turning The Big One!
Related: Reid's Chugga Chugga Two Two Train Birthday Party and his Modern Race Car Theme Birthday Party.
My husband found it hilarious that after 19 years of throwing GIRL birthday parties, I somehow managed to have the only pop of color be what looks like pink. In truth, I bought peach balloons and was hoping for a more muted, natural color but they did totally look pink (sorry Reid!).
Party Planning Tip: I didn't know this then, but I learned if you double the peach balloons before you fill them, the color will be closer to actual pale peach.
Oh well, next time!
I made the invites myself and loved the way they turned out! I added a little surprise to the back just for fun.
The party theme was pulled together with printed popular lyrics from Notorious BIG songs. Of course we had a playlist too, all clean versions of course. No, just kidding he's only one so he doesn't understand curse words (yet!).
Here's a peek at the monthly photo we took. I'm so glad we did it!
We set up Reid's favorite blow up pool and filled it with ball pit balls for a little V.I.B. lounge fun! He loved it so much that it's still set up two weeks later. ;)
These acrylic signs are my favorite. You just print vinyl using a Cricut machine and you have a really unique sign. (You can see it used in this engagement shoot). I actually used the same process to make the wall decal that said "The Big One."
The black and white desserts were on point. I loved the Biggie Smalls themed cookies!
Here's Reid with his big sisters. You might recognize their shirts from our pregnancy reveal.
Of course he went for it! This is our favorite black silicone bib and it matched the party perfectly.
This was such a memorable day! I hope you like the pictures and I've added links to sources in case you want them.
More Details From Our Notorious BIG Party
Here are some sources, let me know if you have questions in the comment section!
- Peach Balloons (Don't forget to double stuff them!)
- Balloon Arch Tape (just use command hooks to attach to your wall)
- Cake Toppers
- Personalized Napkins
- Inflatable Boom Box (Not pictured above. We were going to use as an ice chest but ended up putting his gifts in it instead)
- Ball Pit Balls (Peach and Black, Gray & White)
- Inflatable Pool
- Mom & Dad's Shirts
- Baby Hat
- Baby Bib
- Cricut Machine (To make vinyl stickers)
- Acrylic Signs
Update: Check out his second birthday theme, Chugga Chugga Two Two!
Kathryn says
Do you have the link or information for the cricut machine? I would like to make my own items and love the fonts you used.
Tori says
Hi Kathryn! Here's the machine I have: https://amzn.to/3DnsTjZ
As for the font, I used for the wall vinyls stickers... it's called "Black Diamond" https://www.dafontfree.co/black-diamond-font/
Hope that helps!
Kelsey says
Do you have a link for the invitations?
Tori says
Hi Kelsey, no I don't. I made them myself using photoshop.
McCall says
Hi! Where did you make the invitations?
Tori says
I made them in Photoshop and had them printed at my local Staples.
brandi says
What kind of printer do you have #rookiemom
Tori says
For the invitations and signs I just used my inkjet printer. You can also send your files to be printed at an office supply place like Staples or Fedex. Hope that helps!
Ashley Dahdona says
Where did you find the plates from?
Tori says
Oriental Trading :)
Christina says
Hi! Love this theme so much can’t wait to use it for inspo. Do you have any ideas for party favors ?! That would fit the theme and work for babies/toddlers. Or maybe just candy? Would love your thoughts. Thanks again and amazing job !
Tori says
I think anything can be made to fit the theme with a bag and a sticker with some lyrics on it. You could have a sign that said "Bottle service" and have juice boxes + snacks. Or "VIB Lounge" (Very important baby).
Anchal says
Love this !!! How long do you take to plan parties ?? Just need to know how much time I need !!
Also with the decal on the wall, did it come off the wall easily????
Tori says
You'll need enough time for shipping if you're ordering things online.
Also, yes the decal comes right off with no residue left on the wall!
Kaitlin Anthony says
would you sell the phrases that you made in photoshop? I have a cricut but am useless with photoshop lol Great job mama! party looked so cute
Kaitlin Anthony says
What font did you use for your signs? Soooo cute!
Kaitlin says
OMG just saw the post above! :-) sorry
Eric says
Hi Tori,
Great job on his party! LOVE this theme!! I have a circuit and have downloaded just about every font looking for the one you have for your vinyl..
Do you know what fonts you used? THANK YOU :)
Tori says
Glad you like it! So I designed the words in photoshop first (save as png file), then uploaded into Cricut. This is the font I used: https://creativemarket.com/SamParrett/682591-Black-Diamond-Brush-Font Some of the letters had some "gaps" like brush strokes in them so I filled them in using the paint brush in Photoshop first. I hope that helps!
Eric says
Thank you so much! I will try this and see if it (hopefully) works :)
Hannah says
Who made the baby face cookies? LOVE this!
Tori says
It was a local baker! https://www.sugarbitesdesserts.com/
Hannah Klocke says
Absolutely precious! Is there a way I could contact you with a couple of questions?
Bobbie B says
Hi! Love the entire theme, where did you get the napkins from? I have been trying to find a website to personalize them but nothing has let me choose over 3 lines.
Thank you!
Tori says
I'll link them above also, but here's the link: https://www.thestationerystudio.com/product/create-your-own-headline-napkins-p65502.html
Janet says
Hi Tori,
I love this and will definitely be taking inspiration for my babys 1st birthday! Well done mamma :) I just wanted to ask how can I find the black and white squiggle template for the signs you have done please? Thank you!
Tori says
Hi Janet! So glad you like it :) I bought the pattern that I used to make the signs here: https://creativemarket.com/anugrahadesign/3671939-Squiggle-Abstract-Memphis-Patterns Then, I just created them in Photoshop. I cannot remember where I got the napkins but I just googled personalized napkins and designed them on that website. Hope that helps!
Ro says
Hello, where are the BIGGIE stickers and wrapping from? Also, What did you serve in them?
Tori says
Hi! I wrapped up chicken sandwiches from Chick-fil-A (you could wrap burgers or regular sandwiches!) in parchment paper. The stickers are just round labels from the office supply store that I printed on with my computer and printer.
Haley says
I LOVE THIS. Is there a way I could contact you and ask a couple of questions?
Tori says
So glad you like it! I just sent you an email :)
Marissa says
Hi! Super cute theme! Great job! Wanted to know where you found those plates?
Thank!
Tori says
I got them from Oriental Trading!
Marissa says
Thank you!!! Also, where did you order the cookies from?
Tori says
A local baker (she doesn't ship at the moment)
Mandy says
I love THIS!!! Where did you get your signs and wall decor- I too want to replicate this birthday in July lol
Mandy T
mandy.besler@gmail.com
Tori says
Hi Mandy! I made the signs on my computer and the wall decor is vinyl lettering I made using my Cricut. Hope that helps!
Marissa says
Can you tell me what font you used on your Cricut to do “The Big One” decals?
Tori says
This is the font I used: https://creativemarket.com/SamParrett/682591-Black-Diamond-Brush-Font Some of the letters had some “gaps” like brush strokes in them so I filled them in using the paint brush in Photoshop first. I hope that helps!