Berry Sweet Girls Birthday Party

Nadine Canestri is one of OHbaby!’s favourite photographers and she shoots many of our party features. When we saw the party she created for her own daughter Atlanta on her third birthday we simply had to share it with you.

Nadine says Atlanta is a huge Strawberry Shortcake fan. Her birthday is in December which, conveniently enough, is the start of strawberry season — so the theme worked out beautifully. 

Set the scene
As a lover of all things vintage, Nadine chose to use the original Strawberry Shortcake doll and colours to set the scene. The party was held at her parents’ house — a beautifully restored old villa with a gorgeous garden for entertaining.

A pop-up play tent provided the perfect background for the birthday girl to open her presents, and provided a great playhouse for the young guests.

You could even light strawberry- scented candles (at a safe distance from youngsters, obviously) for a full assault on the senses. 

Food and decorations
The party food was set out on an old painted cabinet with miniature Strawberry Shortcake dolls scattered among the treats. The food was all created by Nadine and her mum, and included a lot of soft pink, red and lime green.

Strawberry-flavoured jelly was served in baby food jars with gingham and strawberry print cloth covers. There were strawberry-shaped cake pops and cookies, cupcakes with strawberry pieces and the show-stopping Strawberry Shortcake birthday cake lovingly made by Nadine’s mother. They even whipped up a petal sponge cake for the adults. 

The kids also enjoyed fruit kebabs with marshmallows and strawberries which happily fit the pink and red theme perfectly. Green grapes would also work well with the colour palette. The savoury food was set out on a separate table along with coffee for the adults.

The kids sat at a party table decorated with a gingham table cloth and lolly-filled jars as the centre piece. A garland of crêpe paper flowers in pink and red from the Martha Stewart range hung above the table and the children had a choice of lime or strawberry milk to drink. 

Instead of the usual goodie bags, Nadine gave each child her very own potted strawberry plant to take away as a party favour — a way to say “thanks berry much for coming” and a lasting reminder of a perfect spring time afternoon party.

Get the look
Hopefully we’ve planted the seed of inspiration so you can create your own vintage Strawberry Shortcake party. Here are some products to help you give your own child the perfect pink party.

Left to right from top: Martha Stewart Pink Pom Pom Garland $24.95, sweetpeaparties.co.nz
Paper Eskimo Marshmallow Flag Food Picks (25-pack) $7.50, Paper Eskimo Marshmallow Paper Straws (50-pack) $14.95 and Paper Eskimo Lollipop Pink Spot Cups (12-pack) $8.95, all from poppyseed.co.nz
Paper Lantern $3.95
Sambellina Pink Polka Dot Plates (12-pack) $9.95, Sambellina Treat Boxes (12-pack) $14.95 and White Doily Cupcake Stand $39.95, all from sweetpeaparties.co.nz