As Ryan approached his first birthday, mom Laura was struggling to come up with the perfect party theme for her son’s initial milestone birthday. After talking with her event planner, Jaclyn Hamilton of Party Designs by Jax, she had a lightbulb moment! She thought, “if my son had his way, we’d have the party at a grocery store. He just loves going there.”
That was all it took for Jaclyn to start dreaming up a supermarket themed first birthday party! And we’re so glad she did because it’s unique and totally adorable! So get your grocery bag ready and join me on this fun “errand” to the store!
Supermarket First Birthday Party Ideas
This Supermarket Themed Party all started with the invitation – a grocery receipt! I love a creative invitation like this – it primes your guests to anticipate a fun-filled event filled with creative details.
First Birthday Party Decor
Jaclyn chose a bright and cheery color scheme with oranges, greens and blues and party decorations that the birthday boy would be able to use after the party as learning toys. She found some great play food toys that will help him learn the alphabet and to count which she utilized for the supermarket shelves and the party tablescape.
One of the main features of the party was “Ryan’s Market” which was created utilizing a new toy box that was decorated with a personalized printable sign from Paper & Cake. The toy box turned grocery store housed party snacks in its bins for guests to shop for and enjoy! You can find similar toy storage solutions that would work great for your version of this party here and here.
Focused on creating a true supermarket experience, additional shelves were stocked with play food and the children were each given a paper wallet with play money (personalized with the birthday boy’s face) at their place setting so they could go shopping and “buy” their groceries.
First Birthday Party Food
The supermarket was designed to be interactive and function as one of the party activities, so it was featured real food like fruit, veggies, snack bags and juice boxes. These items were displayed in bins and baskets and featured labels similar to what you’d see in the grocery store. I love that they were left in their store bought containers – no need for anything fancy with this party theme!
First Birthday Party Activities
During the party the children stayed busy playing shopkeeper wearing the personalized apron, ringing up the items at check out with Ryan’s new cash register and packing groceries in the personalized shopping bags. The party guests also enjoyed coloring the large cardboard grocery store that Ryan will be able to enjoy long after the party ends.
First Birthday Party Cake
Kristi’s Tasty Treats provided the cakes and cupcakes for the party and she tied them into the theme perfectly! I love how she used his personal logo on the cash register and added gum paste money on top of the cupcakes. And although the birthday boy wasn’t quite sure about his personal smash cake topped with coins, he did enjoy feeding his mom and dad the frosting!
We hope you enjoyed this darling First Birthday Party Theme as much as we did! Be sure to Pin this post for later as you put together your own Supermarket Party!
Featured Vendors
- Event Planner: Party Designs by Jax
- DIY or Handmade Goods Designer: Paper & Cake
- Cake Designer: Kristy Tasty Treats
- Photographer: Skye Mason Photography