This party was affordably (and quickly) put together.  Pretty much everything you see came from Michael’s.  I would love to be one of those plan ahead, print out invites and order-it-all-online kind of moms, but I’m just not.  Maybe one day?  

The inspiration for the party’s aesthetic was this stripey graphic horse I found.  This image summed up two things my daughter loves:  vibrant color and horses.  For the life of me I cannot figure out where it came from – please share if you know the source!  Maybe it was on pinterest?   

My favorite part of any party is always the favors.  I just love surprising little treasures wrapped in fun containers!

I thought boxes would be fun.  For their tops, I cut little squares of leftover newspaper on diagonal and wrapped with ribbon.  Then I glued on the wooden horses.   Boxes were 79 cents each at Michael’s.  The wooden horses, 50 cents each.

The horses were unfinished wood, so I spray painted the day before.  So easy.  Even did a few that morning, hence the dirty barn boots.

Inside the favor boxes I placed knitted gloves and holiday-inspired bubble bath in different flavors.  I usually try to avoid candy as party favors, although I cheat sometimes.  Mittens were $1 a set from Michael’s and bubble bath came in a pack of ten from Tuesday morning.

To embellish our balloon garland, I printed out the graphic horse and framed it in a leftover IKEA frame.  I like the modern frame against the rustic wood.

About the balloons:  my friend Tamara’s husband, Brett, blew up every balloon for our garland.  He told me he was happy to offer his hot air, ha ha.  To give the balloon garland a “swag,”  he put a little bit of water in the center balloon.  Smart!

Since I don’t own a fancy punchbowl, I used one of our Tarjay jars for the lemonade and just wrapped decorative felt ribbon around the top and secured with a glue gun.  Added one of our wooden horses.  Ribbon $3 from Michaels.  Straws $2 from Wal-Mart.

We set up a s’more station.  You know it’s totally against the rules to have a bonfire without s’mores.  Containers $1 each from Michael’s.

I had a professional s’more stylist : )

My cutlery container came from TJ Maxx.  And in case you’re wondering about my extra fancy unhemmed, white trash sophisticated tablecloth, it was a piece of scrap fabric I used from this picnic way back when.  I have it in green too – it’s this cheapy from IKEA.  I’ve loved that fabric forever and hope to make a tablecloth in it someday!

Thanks to Tamara, Brett, Judy, Maddie and my daughter, Sterling, for helping me put this all together.  And to my amazing husband , Peter, for carting two carloads of stuff AND cooking all of our food.  It’s always much more fun doing projects with loved ones!