Hosting an elegant birthday party doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With a few thoughtful details and inspiring theme ideas, you’ll be ready to raise a glass and celebrate beautifully!
Let’s Set the Scene…
Your friend’s birthday (or your birthday) is coming up and you want to plan something nice for them without overexerting yourself through planning and financing. You keep scrolling Pinterest or Instagram and see how simple it looks to create, however you don’t really know where to begin. That’s exactly how I felt when I planned my friend’s 24th birthday.
With the hustle and bustle of life, sometimes it feels like there is simply no time for planning an elegant birthday party. Well, what if I told you planning a party at home can be simple and seamless. All you need is a spark of creativity and maybe a quick trip to the store–or the thrift store if that’s your jam!
Stay tuned for how I pulled together an elegant birthday party for my bestie and how you can too!
Elegant Birthday Party Ideas
Alright, first off, you might be looking for some inspiration on which direction to take this elegant birthday party. Here are some classy, yet easy, ideas to get the ball rolling.
1. Wine and Cheese Night
Escape to Florence, Italy in your own space!
- Encourage guests to bring a bottle of wine or champagne.
- Grab a variety of cheeses, cured meats, and a few extras like figs, honey, and nuts from Costco or Trader Joe’s.
- Arrange everything beautifully on a wood cutting board or a vintage tray for presentation.
- Add a few cocktail napkins and a mix of mismatched salad or dessert plates for a quick setup.
- Use a mix of different wine and champagne glasses to add a bit of eclectic pizazz.
2. Candlelight Dinner Party
Gather all your candles around your house for this one!
- Start with a simple yet delicious dish, like this pasta recipe. (or of course you can pick it up at your favorite local Italian spot!)
- Serve it in thrifted dishware, like depression glass or a thrifted platter.
- Scatter candles of varying heights across the table to set the mood.
- Use soft linen napkins and some fresh greenery.
- Mix in mismatched forks for an elegant touch.
3. Afternoon Tea Party
Create a charming afternoon tea party!
- Find a vintage tea set at your local thrift store–or, better yet, maybe you have one from grandma!! (Thanks Mimi)
- Pair them with a beautifully patterned, feminine tablecloth or placemats.
- Serve an assortment of light bites, such as finger sandwiches or small pastries.
- Add fresh flowers in a teapot or vase.
4. At Home Spa Day
Convert your space into a relaxing retreat at home!
- Begin by serving chilled champagne in fun glasses, or keep it wellness- focused with a Poppi or Spindrift in a fun thrifted glass garnished with fresh fruit.
- Pick up a selection of luxe face masks from Sephora or your local drugstore.
- Set out some towels and a little dish of chocolates or cucumber slices to emphasize the spa scene.
- Put on a soothing Spotify playlist of acoustic melodies or serene spa sounds.
5. Garden Party
Take your celebration outside, just maybe not in the peak of winter or summer… haha!
- Grab some fresh flowers from the market, or snip some from your own yard.
- Create a simple arrangement in thrifted pitchers or a pretty vase.
- Use colorful, unmatched China plates from either a vintage shop or the thrift store (read more about it Franciscan’s Desert Rose).
- Polish the assortment by laying everything over a reusable tablecloth with florals or gingham.
- Candles!
- Chill the rosé, bubbly, or other refreshing drinks in a galvanized tub filled with ice.
- Set the table with floral fabric napkins and colorful glassware.
These themes are elegant, simple and fun!
Now let’s dive into how I hosted an elegant dinner party using thrifted decor and household items!
5 Small Details That Create an Elegant Birthday Party at Home
Hosting this birthday gathering was pure joy. I wanted something special without the stress, just a few simple touches to make it chic, classy and fun. With a recent move and little time, I needed something quick yet beautiful and personal. A thrift store run and a few pieces gathered from around my house, and the tablescape all came together effortlessly. And the best part? It was incredibly easy. Here are the 5 tips I have to make your party a little extra special.
1. Mismatched Drinking Glasses
First, I embraced the charm of mismatched wine glasses, tying delicate pink bows around each stem for a fun and polished aesthetic. It added a sweet, personalized touch and made every glass feel special.
2. Easy Food Options
Instead of a full dinner spread, I kept it simple as more of a pre-dinner toast with a boxed cake and fun pink macaroons from the store! For the drinks, I kept it simple and classy: chilled champagne in a vintage crystal ice bucket.
3. Thrifted Plates
Next, I set the table with some pretty plates I already had in my home. (I actually found them at an estate sale). I added some cute pink patterned cocktail napkins, which gave everything a timeless, polished touch.
4. Candlelight Ambiance to Set the Mood
I used all the candles around my house to set the mood and create a warm, inviting atmosphere to the room.
Hosting Tip: Create a Candle Drawer that you can pull from whenever you have company over! Put all types of candles in there from Tea lights to cute heart-shaped ones.
5. Printed Canva Graphics
Canva is truly one of the best tools for creating fun graphics. I wound up making a couple invites for this event and a fun mood board that I printed and put into gold frames. This created fun focal points and a chance to explain what everything was on the tablescape!
With a few thoughtful details, the evening felt effortless and . In the end, it was not about perfection, as it never should be. It was about creating a beautiful moment to celebrate someone special. Simple, charming, and polished, because birthdays should always feel special.
An Extra to Consider:
When in doubt grab some flowers because they are always a show stopper to any tablescape!
This night was one of my favorites, and I can’t wait to see the elegant birthday party you decide to host this year! I hope you gained some inspiration from these tips and are off to see what you have around your house to throw together a little something fun this weekend!
Xo,
Loved and Polished
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