Planning a first birthday party for your first kid is essentially the same thing as walking into a cage full of hungry lions. All these Pinterest moms watching your every move, judging your decor choices, the ambiance, the food… Okay… that was dramatic, I don’t think anyone really cares. But I’m not going to lie, I do feel like Stetson’s first birthday sets the tone for what my motherhood style is the rest of my life.

Growing up we always had big parties that were ALL out. My mom had everything from petting zoos to hummer limos picking us up from school. Full on princess parties, fear factor themed parties and more. It was the most awesome way to grow up and I want to give that same experience to my kids.

Even though he might only be turning 1, I know I only have a certain amount of years where I get to do this. So I am going to take full advantage of each moment.

Of course, his first birthday will be western and cowboy and all the things. That’s our life, and it makes the most sense. But just to clear the air, I do not plan to do every party cowboy themed for the rest of his life.. okay?? I am sure we will throw in a construction theme or a baseball theme here and there.

The point of this post is to be a little “How The West Was One” birthday party resource for you. I have basically scoured the internet for cute party finds, but you know my go to is always Amazon.

 

My Vision For The Party

 

My plan is to throw this party in our backyard which is on our ranch, but there is this gated off grassy party that is a big open space. We are going to have water activities for kiddos, food and drinks, and of course a cake smash for Stetson.

We are going for simple, and western. My color theme is black, white, tans & rust tones with maybe a few pops of turquoise here and there.

I have included links for the cute decor finds I am purchasing down below!

 

Luckily for a party like this, much of our home decor can work for the party which saves us a lot of money! But also I try to be intentional about buying things that I can use over and over again and not just one and done.

It’s not always possible for everything but I do like being able to bring the party decor back in and reuse it in our home if we can! In other words, avoid things with too much of a “theme” to them. Not all the individual items need to be “western pattern” or something. It’s about the overall look once it all comes together for the party.

 

 

The Backdrop

 

My husband doesn’t know it yet, but he is going to be building a backdrop for this birthday party. And I want it to look something like the photos above. Kinda southwestern vibes, with soft colors. I have wanted one of these to put in our home for a while now so I think this is a good excuse to get it done!

I will probably hand a “how the west was one” sign on it. And put the high chair in front of it. That will be where Stetson sits, and does a “cake smash”

I’m also thinking about maybe stacking a few hay bales around it? Or setting our saddles down near it? So many ideas to think about!!

 

Photo Inspiration Links:

 

• https://www.salvagedapothecary.com/
• https://nataliehillsphotography.com/blog/intimate-micro-weddingbend-oregon-maddy-tatum

 

Dessert Table

 

I think the other main decor of any party is a dessert table. My plan is to incorporate balloons, dried plants, etc. Something similar to the vibes in the photos above! I will likely just have a small topper cake and then use other kinds of deserts. The cake will probably just be used for Stetson to eat and smash but I haven’t totally committed to that yet!

 

 

Drink Station

 

I’m slightly worries about being “that mom” and having something totally extra for every table. Of course we could just do ice chests for drinks… but how lame is that? I am thinking more simple but like stacks of hay bales with troughs of water stacked on them? Cute right? My husband is going to hate me after this party….

 

Amazon Links:

 

• Western balloon assortment
• #1 Candle
• How The West Was One Sign
• First Birthday Stationary
• Western Confetti
• First Year Monthly Photos

 

Check out my full amazon list here!

 

Etsy Links:

 

• How the west was one cake topper
• Cowboys eat steak not cake onesie
• Mom & Dad Of The Birthday Cowboy Shirts
• Gold How The West Was One Sign
• Western Paper Plates
• Western Wrapping Paper

 

Check out my full Etsy list here!

 

OTHER COWKID RELATED POSTS:

 

• Western Nursery Decor Ideas
• Stetson’s Nursery Tour