My son was turning 3 and we wanted to celebrate it with a party like we always do.

However, since our new home is almost done being build and we are trying to save as much as possible, we needed to come up with a way to celebrate on a budget but not skimp on the wow factor.

I had all kinds of ideas – hot dog bar, nachos stations, donuts party, snacks and refreshments…. I finally decided on a “Cookies and Milk” party.

We didn’t do too much on the decorating aspect but  we sure went all out with the cookies.

We had the party from 1-4pm so it would land between meal times. Read more on this below.

Invitations: I purchased a pack of kraft blank invitations with envelopes from Hobby Lobby.

I used shipping labels from OnlineLabels.com to design the interior of my card and the glass bottle sticker on the front of the invitation.

After printing the labels, I simply cut them out and attached them to the kraft card. For the front, I wrapped a brown satin ribbon underneath the bottle label. It looked so cute!

Cookie Jars: I made these adorable cookie jars using glass bowls, terra cotta saucers, wood balls, glue, and blue spray paint.

They were super easy to make and they turned out to be darling. Have to thank Jennifer from Banner Events for posting a tutorial on this.

I used the cookie jars as centerpieces and as favors. Each family got to take home one cookie jar filled with a variety of cookies.

Cookies and Milk Bar: The dessert table is always my favorite part of any party. I usually focus the most time to it when I’m styling a party.

This time it was even more important to make sure this table looked right since it was the only food we were serving (along with fruit and veggies which were on another table).

You know me, I couldn’t just go buy a cookie tray from the store.  I had to bake my own fresh and delicious cookies. I

began by coming up with a list of cookies I would make for his party. We decided on 8 different varieties:  Cookie Dough Truffle Pops, Peanut Butter Cookies, Maple Glazed Oatmeal Cookies, Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies, White Chocolate Chip Macadamia Cookies, Snickerdoodle Cookies, Double Chocolate Cookies, Sugar Cookies with Vanilla Glaze, and Meringue Cookies. (See recipes links below).

Luckily, I had a friend who volunteered to come over a couple of days before the party to help me bake over 20 dozen cookies.

I used white platters and cake stands to make the cookies stand out and be the main attraction.

I had light blue paper suitcases that I purchased for Aiden’s “Keep Soaring High” birthday party a few years ago and thought I’d use them to add volume to my table. On top of the suit cases, I placed empty Starbuck’s Frappuccino bottles with stripped paper straws. I filled up my beverage dispensing jars with whole milk, strawberry milk and chocolate milk.

And finally, I had my mom make a cute little simple cake for the center piece.

My incredibly sweet and thoughtful friend, Brittany from Edible Details, sent me as a gift a few fondant decorations to add to the cake.

They were perfect! 

Paper Goods: I made food labels for each cookie and milk using scrapbook paper and printable labels.

I made a background label for the cookie station using twine and scrapbook paper.

Let me tell you, I definitely need to invest in a Cricut machine because hand cutting these letters and banners is getting old fast!

Activity: We had our jumper in the pack for the kiddos to play in and we also had a little activity for them at the kid’s table.

I purchased felt mats and fabric paint from Hobby Lobby and had the kiddos decorate their own place mats.

I was surprised this was a hit activity and each kid was thrilled to get their paint on.

Sweet thanks for visiting my blog today and reading about Keiran’s little party!!

Resources and Vendor Credits:

• Styling and Photographer: The Marshmallow Studio
• Cake: Carmen Ramirez
• Fondant decorations for cake: Edible Details
• Glass bowls, terra cota saucers, wood balls, ribbons, felt, paint scrapbook paper, kraft gamble boxes, and kraft cards : Hobby Lobby
• Paper suit cases: Shop Sweet Lulu
• Letter “K” dish: The TomKat Studio
• Paper straws: Green Party Goods
• Labels: Onlinelabels.com

Recipes:

• Cookie Dough Truffle Pops: Bakerella
• Peanut Butter Cookies: Brown Eyed Baker
• Maple Glazed Oatmeal Cookies: Honest Cooking
• Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies: Nestle Toll House
• White Chocolate Chip Macadamia Cookies: The Novice Chef
• Snickerdoodle Cookies: Sally’s Baking Addiction
• Double Chocolate Cookies: Sally’s Baking Addiction
• Sugar Cookies with Vanilla Glaze: Sweet Sugar Belle & King Arthur Flour