Attend my Party: A Backyardigans Pirate Birthday Party

This is a repost from my original blog - addicted2jakey

*NOTE: Be prepared for a very looong post :)

Yay! At last, Jacob’s party was over – and it was a Blast! I’m so excited to share all the ideas, details and photos from his 2nd Backyardigans Pirate Party! Here are the details, enjoy!

Theme: Backyardigans Pirate Party My Jacob is soo into Backyardigans – thanks too Amos (nephew of our friend, Arnel) who gave the DVDs as a gift on his 1st birthday. I, personally thought of having its one episode as his theme for the 2nd party. I was torn between “Heart of the Jungle and “Pirate says Arrr” episodes – but with the venue we rented , Pirate theme fits!

(Note: 2nd party – it wasn’t a plan to have a 2nd birthday party as big as this [as I promised my husband last year :-)], but my mother requested to have a party (though not this grand) in Laguna since the 1st party was is Manila (Ortigas – click here for 1st Sesame Street Party).

Party Planning in Laguna (or Province, in general) or throwing a not so ordinary, unique party in the province is quite difficult to pull off! The suppliers are very limited, or if opt to bring them from Manila, the rate is waaay higher! I’m so glad I had close group of contacts (suppliers), and for second time in a row, they made Jacob’s party truly memorable and special for everyone.

Date and Time: 11 Sept 2011 – 3 o’clock in the afternoon

Venue: Pavilion Area, Panguil River Eco-Park, Panguil Laguna

Website: www.panguilecopark.com

It’s really our first choice for Jacob’s party (though, at some point we consider another spacious venue - blog it here). The place is soo nature-looking, and I know everyone, especially those guests coming from Manila will enjoy scenery and place like the eco-park. We rented out the Pavilion area for a whole day.

Included in the amenities are:

□ Our guests are free to enjoy the water stream/river (take a dip or swim)

□ Free use of the Pavilion Area ( including the tables and chairs [with linens]

□ Free sound system

What really caught my eye and it soo fits our theme is the Hanging Bridge! Connecting the main road of the eco-park to the Pavilion Area.


Hanging Bridge @ Panguil Eco-Park

Other amenities of the eco-park (which are not included in our rental) are:

□ Trekking/Hiking to Ambon-Ambon Falls (we tried it last Holy Week 2011- post here)

□ Water rafting These could be address/inquire directly at their office.

Advantages:

□ The Guests (even US), especially those who came all the way from Manila enjoyed the venue. They even took a dip at the river.

□ Affordable and very spacious venue. The rental is food of one day.

Disadvantages:

□ [Good thing we arrived early to check and setup] The Administrator forgot to advise the Tenant/caretaker regarding Jacob’s Party. When we arrived, many hikers who had overnight stay were still in the Pavilion resting.

□ Their staffs were quite “slow movers”. We have to help them out setting up some tables and chairs. □ The party ended late, no street lights in the area! Watch you step especially when crossing the Hanging Bridge

Price: P6000.00 (for a whole day rental, they offer 12hrs for lesser amount)

Verdict: We will still rent the venue for our future occasion. RECOMMENDED!

Foods and Menu: Setting a party in the province means lots of unexpected guests . So,my parents decided to have a 90-100kg pig for the event. The good thing about our province, is the “Bayanihan type” of gesture. You could just ask friends (friends of my parents) to help out, cook and prepare the menu for the party.

Here are the menu prepared by my parents: buffet set-up (for adults)

□ Rice

□ Menudo

□ Caldereta

□ Hamonado

□ Embutido (my mom's specialty)

□ Fried Chicken

□ Fresh Lumpia

□ Lumpia Shanghai

□ Kinilaw na Beef ( c/o Ate Czel by MIL)

□ Spaghetti

□ Water

□ Leche Flan (ordered from a friend)

□ Buco Pandan (prepared by MIL)

□ Pichi Pichi (ordered from a friend in Lumban, Laguna)

Good thing that my family has food warmers, etc so we do not have to hire catering services. All the plates and utensils are disposable.

For the kids, since we had good experience with styro packs during Jacob’s 1st birthday party, we decided to do this again. We bought around 100 pcs of Styro packs with Disposable Utensils. For the drinks, I opted to serve water and scramble (details below) .

Here’s the food we served for them.

□ Spaghetti

□ Fried Chicken

We opt not to give lots of food since Candy/Dessert Station is open anytime they want to get treats. Alloted budget for this is P35,000.00 (from me and hubby). I don’t know how much my parents added. Verdict: Super Love it! Saves a lot of money and serves a lot to guests and neighbors.

Decors:

I tried looking for another supplier for Jacob’s party but they quoted me way too high. Maybe because it will be our first party together, so, I decided to contact again Kiko’s Balloons and Services. They’re the ones who made Jacob’s 1st Birthday so fab! But this time, I decided to allot less budget on this. I availed same party package as from last year’s Sesame Street party. The only difference is I opted for tarpaulin than styro backdrops. Reasons why I chose this:

□ Quite expensive for a 2nd Birthday Party though I really wanted it (re: styro backdrops)

□ I remembered the crews (during planning stage), since they'll all coming from Manila, they will be leaving the venue just after the party wrapped up! I felt guilty, so Tarpaulin was the best thing.

I just instructed Ms. Kristine through e-mail I wanted a ceiling long balloon drop-like décor since the venue has high-ceiling. Color combination would only be: red-white-black, since it’s a Pirate Party. And they executed it soo well!

Ceiling decor

For the stage, I leave it up to them (how they would decorate it). They put the balloon pillars, together with the cake arch and stage decors in front. Since the pavilion has no flatform of any kind or even a stage, they need to accentuate one side of the pavilion to make it look like a stage, and they did! I’m soo thankful to them.

Stage Decor

(This setup gave me an idea that creativity is really the key for fab decors! I never thought cakes and cupcakes would accentuate and give and extra "wow" factor to our stage!

For the table centrepieces, since I provided these, I just asked them to decorate it with long stemmed balloons: design – artist’s discretion. Originally, the plan was to use helium filled balloons, but they told me since they will be comin' from Manila – balloons won’t look good if they have to transport it from Manila to Laguna. I handed them some Pirate themed balloons, my Ate San from USA, sent me those (a week before the party)! I soo loved it! (Thank You, ate!)

Backyardigans table centerpiece

From this look:

To this (during the party):

Table decor

Table Centerpiece with Jacob and Daddy

The package arrived on time knowing of the risk that LBC could deliver it after the party, soo glad Ate took the risk! (Another blog for this)

For the ceiling decors, I added some paper mache decors shaped into Pirate’s hook, Sword, hat and boots.

And one (1) of the boots (bigger dimension) served as the Pinata for the party! The piñata has Backyardigans Pirate Key Chains inside as prizes. (see right side of the photo)

Pinata

Backyardigans Key Chains

Party details

I put the party details at the back of the key chains.

Thank Ye Matey!

Jacob Cedric @ 2

09.11.11

Moreover, with the package I availed, it comes with a free Balloon Bursts with 50 pieces of small balloons inside. I instructed Ms. Kristine (thru e-mail) to put 3 notes on 3 small balloons for a special prize.

Jacob's playing with the balloon

Balloon Burst

At the entrance to the Pavilion, I asked our artist to make a Huge Letter Standee for the party. Spelled out JACOB at 2. I just instructed them of the height (in feet) of each letters and painted them it with Red (specifically Jollibee RED). Result: Everybody was awed with it!

Entrance Decor

Most of the guests took photos on each letters (like what we did!)

Also, I added 2 Parrot (paper mache) since they matched the whole Pirate Theme of the Party!

(looks realistic on photos, huh!)

All the letter standees and Boots Pinata are from Handicrafts,atbp

(www.facebook.com/handicrafts.atbp)

Price: not available (contact me)

Verdict: Kiko’s Balloons – there would be another party for us Together! Visit their site! www.kikosballoons.multiply.com

CAKES, MINICAKES and CUPCAKES

Since the party will be in the province, the best choice for cake supplier is within the area. So I went to my ever reliable cake maker from Laguna - Ms. Laura of Marinella's Cake Shop in Siniloan, Laguna.

Ka Laura (as I call her) made my Debut Cake, and Jacob's Christening Cakes and Cupcakes. I gave her 3 preferred cake designs I googled from the internet and based the design from it. It could bear the theme, either Backyardigans or Pirate, or better both.
I assumed she don't know much about Backyardigans, so I really expect a Pirate Themed Cake.
When I saw it at the venue! Oh My -- I fell in love with it! She did what she best can for Jacob's cakes, minicakes and cupcakes! They were placed at the front, on stage.

Pirate Cake

I'm glad Ms. Laura opted for a different shade (not red,black and white combination), because, the cakes and cupcakes really stood out!

Closer Shot - see details

Minicakes

Pirate Cupcakes

Half of the cupcakes were placed on the Candy/Dessert Station and half with the Cakes and Minicakes.

Price: I'm not really sure but I remembered it costs me more or less P3000.00 for all! 1 2-layered cake, 11 Minicakes (which also served as giveaways) and 100 cupcakes. So cheap, right! But really, it tasted soo good!

VERDICT: Til our next party!

Party Host/Magician: CHRIS O

For this matter, i got Chris O from Kiko's Balloons. At first, to save money, I want to hire someone from the province, but good thing, I saw his performance (from another party), so I asked Ms. Kristine to give me a good performer for the party. She recommended Chris O.

He arrived just before 3 o'clock PM at the venue. We discussed regarding things I wanted, the flow of the program, etc. Also, gave him instruction on giveaways and prizes. He's good in connecting with our guests, though, at some part, they just stared at him. But, I don't mind. Everybody enjoyed him!

Adult Games

He prepared games for the kids and adults, performed magic and tricks, balloon twisting and ventriloquism, too! Though, I'm busy with some things during the program, I could see them enjoying especially the Ventri Act.

K
ids' games

Ventri Act - Jacob's enjoying the program!

Balloon Twisting

Magic Show using Live Animals

VERDICT: Recommended! For contacts, refer to Kiko's Balloons.

GIVEAWAYS AND PRIZES

For the Giveaways, I really wanted to stick with our theme: Backyardigans Pirate. This year, since Jacob already started schooling (saling-cat) I decided to give Lunchboxes for the Kids! I prepared 60 pieces of them. These are all from Handicrafts,atbp.

Also, since we have a difficult theme, and the resources were limited here in P.I, I also gave out more items from Handicrafts,atbp:

Kiddie stool - These were handed out as Major Prizes for the Games (kids and adults)

Backyardigans Kiddie Stool

Mini Stool with Backrest and Penholders

Backyardigans Penholders

I also went to Divisoria, but since Backyardigans are hard to find, I just went generic with other prizes. And for this, Toys 'R Us is a haven for me. I rely to them since Jacob's 1st Birthday Party or gifts for the kids. They always has clearance sale and I look forward to that, ALL the time! They sell items from P20.00 up! Isn't that so affordable? I don't need to go to Divisoria!

We bought Jigsaw Puzzles (1500 pcs) for only P50.00 each!

Prizes

Board games! for only P40.00

Prizes

Some unique and cute items!

I just added Thank You tags in each items. I made it using MS Publisher (I'm not good with Photoshop) I glued it on some prizes or tied a ribbon with it.

Thank You tag

Photo Ops with the Giveaways and Prizes:

Giveaways: Handicrafts,atbp

PHOTO AND VIDEO SERVICES

This time, I'm looking for an affordable yet trusted and has a talent when it comes to party coverage. Fortunately, SP Forum recommends JV All Events Services. (I'm a SP Mom, by the way). I'm glad they accepted our event eventhough they have to travel for 3-4 hours from Manila. And they are way cheaper than everyone else (knowing it's an out of town event).

I contacted them thru Facebook and Ceejhei (Sir Jun's daughter from SP Forum), deposited and just reminded them a day before the party.

On the date of the party, they arrived early (same as with Kiko's Balloons crews)! And, before, during and after the party, I'm impressed! I never saw them resting - they keep of shooting and taking photos of Jacob, my family and the guests! Same with Sir Rudy, who's in charge of the videography!

And I'm more impressed, a week after the party - I already received the raw video and photos (in CD) of the party!

Here are some of the pictures from the party: Be Impressed

Can't wait for the Edited photos, Video teasers and print outs!

VERDICT: RECOMMENDED!

JV All Events - Facebook

Email: jvallevents@gmail.com
Contact Numbers: 09168483342 or 9846842
Contact Person: Sir Jun Villanueva

CANDY STATION

Last year I also prepared a Candy/Dessert Station (click here) for Jacob's 1st Birthday Party - and surely it was a HIT! So I decided to come up with a candy station again, but the challenge for me now was to recreate an even better and a Pirate Themed Candy Station.

Wit a limited time I had for this (I have lots of commitments for the past months prior to the party), I'm still happy I pulled this off! I could see in every guests' faces how they enjoyed the candy station (especially, it's a new thing for a provincial party like what we had).

Since it's a Backyardigans Pirate Party, I decided to have a loot treasure box as the candy loot for the guests. I prepared 100 pieces of it, and just put a sticker label (photo below). These are all from Handicrafts,atbp.

For the candy jars, I'm not really a fan of glass containers (even last year) since most of the guests were kids, and that won't really fit our theme. Also, Jacob is a boy so I need a not so girly containers for Candy Station.

So, I decided to make a step-stool. It's a ladder-like decor. I bought all the materials from National Bookstore (free advertisement, huh). The materials were:

a thick Styroboard
glue sticks and glue gun
Styro paint (in black color)
Illustration boards
Poster paints (white and red color)

Cut,shape and stick! That's the key to my DIY Project!

I just patterned the box dimension from Bubba Gump Glass I bought from a recent trip to HK. And reproduce it in 11 pieces (JACOB CEDRIC). I made using MS Publisher letter cutouts of Jacob's complete name (approximately 4-5 inches height). I painted it with white, black and red colors. Lined the inside with a plastic (I worry about the candies that may melt and the paint might stick to them)

And here ye - the finish product!

Candy Buffet

I bought the candies and the gummies from Divisoria. I bought around 11 - 12 assorted candies and gummies. For the gummies, 1/2 kg. of each (from bears to worms to teeths, etc).

The candy scoops (less than P50 for 5 pieces in different sizes and colors) and clear plastic thongs (less than P50 each) were from SM Department Store (Home section). And I also used the scoop from Jacob's Sand pail :)

Also, these were added for more colors to the candy station.

I also ordered, 2 bilao of Pichi-Pichi from a co-staff in GCMDH after I tasted how yummy the delicacy was!

More to my surprise, my friend and co-staff, Jacob's Ninang Bel called me up. She gave around 4 boxes of Macaroons! We also had this last year from Trois' Restaurant and Pastry Shop

Ate Czel - Jojo's cousin gave also some candies - Thank you! I also added half of the cupcakes since I ordered 100 pieces of these. I made that cupcake tower, too!