My son Ben turned 18 on Sunday, April 18th. When your age and your date of birth match up that is called your GOLDEN BIRTHDAY and is supposed to be particularly lucky. I took the gold theme (and added red as well) and thought I would share some snippets of the party. We had a glorious spring day and had 28 family/friends come over to celebrate!
I have old gas station numbers that I always put out on the front lawn to announce the age for the birthday. My neighbors know my kids are having a birthday and I think my kids secretly like the attention. Added gold and red balloons.
I had an old gold and red chinese lantern that I hung from the living room chandelier and hung the number "18" from it.
Cupcakes decorated with tiny gold pinwheel flags. Golden candies in glass containers.
Unexpected party guests with party hats.
I set up the bar area with the gold and red theme. I used gold pinwheels to add to the fun.
I had a bowl of gold Mardi Gras necklaces for guests to wear in honor of the golden birthday.
A little fun arrangement with old plastic sign letters.
Fun to have an outside party after all the cold winter weather.
A birthday message written on our driveway in sidewalk chalk.
I went the ice cream cake route as it always gets devoured. I always order a super plain cake and gussy it up myself. I added gold coins and gold colored Reese's peanut butter cups. I used extra long red candles as they took awhile to light - 18 is a big number! (note Ben's multiple gold bead necklaces)
I even got into the theme and wore a vintage gold little jacket.
Happy 18th Ben...
hope you had a wonderful golden birthday!
How fun ! Love the ideas :) My son will be 25 April 25th, so I will have to give him an extra special party ! :) Cute blog :)
Posted by: Miss Rhea | April 19, 2010 at 01:41 PM
Happy Birthday Ben your Mom is great to give you such a cool party.
Posted by: Nancy Jane York | April 19, 2010 at 02:08 PM
Hapde burfday to a not so little boy who looks a lot like his mama. :-)
Posted by: Sarah | April 19, 2010 at 02:13 PM
Happy Birthday Ben. What a fun party!
Posted by: Linda @ A La Carte | April 19, 2010 at 02:28 PM
My baby had her golden birthday-21 on July 21st while studying abroad in Paris this past summer. So I didn't get to do any fun things for her. I do think that the fact she was in Paris will make it memorable. :o) Her host family were so sweet to make all of her favorite foods and have a party for her. I love your decorations for your son's birthday. Your kids are going to have such good memories of growing up with a creative mom!
Posted by: Melissa | April 19, 2010 at 02:28 PM
he looks just like you!!!! what a fun and festive 18th birthday surprise..you are one kewl chick.;)
Posted by: gina | April 19, 2010 at 04:07 PM
ADOPT ME!!!!!
Posted by: Lisa | April 19, 2010 at 04:25 PM
Happy 18th Birthday to Ben!
It looks like you succeeded in making it a very special day for him!
:)
~Becca~
Posted by: Becca | April 19, 2010 at 04:28 PM
Looks like you had a great day. (I have never heard of a golden birthday before.) Your Ben looks like a great kid, just like his Mom.
Posted by: Janet | April 19, 2010 at 04:59 PM
I want to be one of your kids.
Posted by: sandy | April 19, 2010 at 05:41 PM
I think you deserve the mother of the year award. wishing Ben, birthday blessings!!
hugs
vivian
Posted by: vivian | April 19, 2010 at 05:43 PM
Happy Birthday Ben!! You are so creative!! What a wonderful party!!
Posted by: elma | April 19, 2010 at 07:02 PM
What a fun Hurrah for your baby boy! (He is still your baby boy, right?) It looks like a great party!!!!!
Posted by: Shara | April 19, 2010 at 07:28 PM
Happy Birthday Ben! Love all your ideas. It's so fun to make bdays special. Mimi
Posted by: Mimi Sue | April 19, 2010 at 08:58 PM
Okay, I LOVE the party hat on the deer. Too cute!!
Hugs,
Jill
Posted by: Jill | April 19, 2010 at 09:49 PM
What fun - I wish you'd adopt me!! But I'll never have another golden birthday - I'm too close to my "golden years" - I've even passed the age that was the same year I was born in - over 1/2 a century ago!
HaPpY BiRtHdAy BeN!!!
Posted by: Lynn | April 20, 2010 at 04:35 AM
Happy Birthday, Ben! Such a handsome young man. :)
Posted by: rebecca | April 20, 2010 at 08:00 AM
Oh Laurie, With vintage treasures like you have, holidays and celebrations MUST be over the top at your house. Congratulations on this wonderful milestone! Elizabeth
Posted by: Elizabeth | April 20, 2010 at 01:41 PM
Happy 18th Birthday Ben!
Laurie what a wonderful party
you had to celebrate his special
birthday. I can see so much of
you in him!!! : )
Hugs,
Janis
Posted by: Janis | April 20, 2010 at 03:23 PM
Awwwww - happy birthday to Ben! (But does that mean there are no extra-special birthdays once you're over 31? Which, I will admit, I am. By quite a bit.)
Posted by: barbara | April 20, 2010 at 04:00 PM
Happy Birthday to Ben! I agree with you that your kids must enjoy feeling special on their day, and you always go the extra mile to make it happen. What a good looking guy he is. Expect girl trouble very soon! Oh, and my favorite part was the party deer!
Posted by: Carol @ Old Glory Cottage | April 20, 2010 at 05:36 PM
Wow! You know how to throw a party! Isn't it strange having your son turn 18? I am a year ahead of you. My Joey just turned 19 last week. See you in June! Let me know if you get the badges for The Farm Chicks going again and I will spread the word!
Posted by: Mermaid Debbie | April 21, 2010 at 06:54 AM
that's so nice how you did his birthday. And...I learned something new. Never knew about the Golden birthday - My girl will turn 18 on the 18th too! I'm going to steal some ideas from you and do the same thing in a couple of years. Your son is adorable.
Posted by: monica kaul | April 21, 2010 at 01:23 PM