A Super Mario Adventure: Celebrating Our Son's 7th Birthday

While my blog usually centers around food, there are certain moments in life that deserve to be shared. Today, I want to take a break from the culinary world and write about something close to my heart— the celebration of our son's 7th birthday.

On June 29th, my little boy reached a significant milestone, and I wanted to make it an unforgettable day just for him. After asking him about his desired theme, it became clear that his current obsession with Super Mario would set the stage for an epic birthday party. 
Reflecting on my own childhood, I recalled the joy of elaborate birthday parties with family and friends. In the Philippines, it is customary to throw party celebrations, especially for a child's 7th birthday. In my case, there were Clowns, magicians, and delightful treats like "dirty" ice cream and cotton candy machines. Wanting to pass on this tradition to my son, I aimed to create a similar experience. However, organizing a grand party in Japan, where we currently reside, proved to be quite expensive. But I still wanted to do it, so I embarked on a journey to plan a budget-friendly yet remarkable celebration.

Planning the Party:

To begin the preparations, I started researching how birthday parties are typically celebrated in Japan. I wanted to strike a balance between cost-effectiveness and ensuring our son's special day would be filled with joy and excitement. With a month ahead, I meticulously planned every detail, from finding the perfect location to crafting captivating decorations.

Choosing the Ideal Venue:
Given my son's desire for active games and unrestricted play, I knew a traditional restaurant setting wouldn't suffice. However, renting a dedicated party space was initially beyond my budget. Usually, it will cost around 10,000 yen for 4 hours. That wouldn't be enough for the preparation, the party itself plus the cleaning of the place. Thankfully, a fellow "mama tomo" (mom friend) suggested exploring rental spaces managed by the local city or area. After some searching, I discovered a perfect venue near our home—a multipurpose hall typically used for meetings and gatherings. It was an incredibly affordable option, costing only 3000 yen for a 12-hour reservation from 9:30 am to 9:30 pm. I thought great! I wouldn't have to be in a hurry preparing and can still relax after the party. So, I reserved and paid for the venue the next day.

To transform the party venue into a Super Mario wonderland, I scoured online platforms like Aliexpress for decorations. Just keep in mind that it will take 10days up to a month for the delivery.  Ordering Super Mario-themed balloons, birthday banners, mini poster decorations, tablecloths, and paper plates. To complement the theme, I purchased red and blue straws and sourced simple yet practical party essentials like plastic cup with lids from DAISO. Make sure your cups has lids cause kids might spill their drinks.

The Birthday Boy!!!

Invitations:

With the decorations in progress, I turned my attention to designing the invitations using Canva. Adding a touch of authenticity, I incorporated the iconic Mario font then I asked my son to provide a list of his friends' names for the invites. Additionally, I composed a thoughtful note for the parents, introducing myself and including my LINE QR CODE for easy RSVPs. Considering potential allergies among the children, I also inquired about specific dietary requirements. Take note, I haven't met most of the parents.

Sooo...Fingers crossed they can come! 

Crafting Unforgettable Moments:

Games were an essential part of our Super Mario-themed party. Initially considering expensive options like a pre-made pinata or pin-the-tail game from Amazon, I decided to embark on a DIY adventure. Turning to YouTube tutorials, I learned to create a pinata using materials sourced from DAISO and used cardboard box. The iconic Mario and Luigi images were affixed to the pinata and added tons of candies and snacks. Then I drew Mario's face on a large white paper, drawing a mustache separately so they can stick it to the face while blindfolded. In my search for engaging activities, I stumbled upon a Mario-themed shooting game on AliExpress, which proved to be a perfect addition. To enhance the excitement, I prepared an assortment of prizes, including gold medals, stickers, coloring pencils, slimes, and snacks, all sourced from DAISO. I also wanted something relaxed yet fun, so I purchased a plain snap band bracelets and colored markers, enabling the kids to create their own personalized bracelets.

Cake and Food: Maintaining my tradition of baking my son's birthday cake, I realized I might not have enough time to create an elaborate Super Mario-themed design. Fortunately, a talented mom friend, known for her delicious and visually stunning cakes, she agreed to make me a customized cake toppers. When they arrived, they exceeded my expectations and added the perfect touch of magic to the celebration. *you can search her on instagram: sweettreatsbykath_jp* While for the food spread, I selected an array of kid-friendly snacks and also involved my son in baking Super Mario-themed cookies. I also ordered this super cute doughnut display and added colorful mini sized yummy goodness on it. To balance the treats, I sourced pastries, sandwich rolls, and nuggets from Costco to offer a variety of savory options. One of the moms also brought 4 boxes of Pizza. Thank You so much!🍕

The food spread!

Chocolate Cake with Buttercream Frosting

Homemade Mario Sugar Cookies

Party Favors on a Budget:

Considering the cost implications of providing party favors for 14 kids, I tapped into my creativity. Using Canva once again, I designed Super Mario character images and transformed them into instant stickers. I also printed black and white Mario character images on postcard-sized paper, creating budget-friendly coloring pages. Additionally, I ordered mini bubble containers and added personalized stickers to make them extra special. As a final touch, I purchased Super Mario pin badges and Mario-themed party bags to complete the party favors.

DIY Party Give Aways

An Unexpected Hurdle: Just five days before the anticipated celebration, my son fell ill with a throat bacterial infection, causing concern about whether we could proceed with the party. Thankfully, the doctor provided the green light, allowing us to forge ahead with our plans. It was a relief, and we were overjoyed that the party was still a go. YAY!!!

A Memorable Success: Despite the challenges and exhaustion that accompanied organizing the event—decorating, entertaining the parents, participating in games with the kids, and oh my, the tidying up part!—the effort proved entirely worthwhile. Witnessing the radiant smile on my son's face and observing the children's delight, all having fun especially during the pinata activity, it brought back nostalgic memories of my own past birthdays. I couldn't help but feel immense gratitude towards my parents for the wonderful but undoubtedly expensive parties they prepared for me and my brother. Thank you so much Mama and Papa. 💗 Now, as a mother myself, I understood their love and dedication. I hope this Super Mario-themed celebration will forever hold a special place in our son's heart, just as it does in mine.

Thank you so much for coming and celebrating this wonderful day with us.

You all made Souta happy. 💕

He hurriedly opened all his presents once we got home.😆

Preparing and hosting this unforgettable birthday party for Souta brought me immense joy. As a mother, my love knows no bounds, and I will always strive to make him happy. No matter what. Witnessing his happiness and growth fills my heart with anticipation for the wonderful person he will become. Regardless of the path he chooses, I will remain his steadfast supporter. FOREVER.💗

To my dearest Souta, may your life be filled with endless happiness and cherished memories. Mama and Papa loves you unconditionally and will always be here for you, no matter what.

PS.

While food is my usual focus, this deviation from my culinary world allowed me to share a glimpse into the personal aspects of my life. I hope you enjoyed reading about this unique celebration, and I appreciate your support as I explore different topics within my blog. 

To my fellow moms who plans to have a budget friendly party, I hope this post gives you ideas to help plan a memorable party for your kids. Aliexpress and DAISO is my go-to for cheap items. 😉 and if you need a party planner you can always message me! kidding!😜

Love,

Kath