Asian Inspired Birthday Party

It was my sons 22ND Birthday last week. I cannot believe how old he is. Where did the time go?

One of the hardest things about having your children grow up and move out is that you no longer see them everyday. Well, a sure way to get the family together is to have a party. I figured that I would throw a dinner party for my son. I used to throw the best theme parties for the kids when they were little. No reason I could not tweak a theme into something that was not childish but still fun for someone that age.

I have been wanting to throw an Asian dinner party for the longest time. First thing I did was go around my house and gather everything that would go with the theme and pile it up in my dining room. Looks like I had everything I needed right here at home which was an added bonus!

My first project was the Birthday Banner.

I went online and downloaded a free Asian font. I was originally hoping to be able to just print out the letters. The free fonts did not come that big, so I ended up drawing the letters out myself. Not too bad if I do say so myself. I used red card stock for the backing and just drew the letters on white card stock, then attached. I used gold ribbon(in the xmas wrapping box) and a hole punch to string the letters together......whola......a wonderful homemade birthday banner!

Another easy touch was the paper lanterns. I have a bunch that I use in the back yard and on the deck for summer parties. I just brought those inside and hung near my can lights so that they would glow.

Another quick and easy use for that card stock.....a quick wrap around a cylinder vase and a couple of pieces of ribbon and you instantly create a look made just for your event. The little Buddhas were favors from a friends wedding and the inspirational candles were a gift. Good thing they came with one for every month. The whole neighborhood experienced a power outage right after we ate dinner. All of those candles really came in handy!

Here is just a pic of the birthday boy as a kid. I had some bamboo and a bamboo frame, so I just put that out for added decor.

I was super excited about these homemade fortune cookies. They were really easy to make and added a personal touch to the table. I used black and white card stock that I had left over from my dads party. You cut into circles, fold, then bend. I found instructions on line. You do have to use a pretty strong adhesive, as mine all opened up after being left out. I ended up taping the backs of them. You can go online and find free printable fortunes, but I wanted mine to all have a birthday theme, so I made them up myself and just printed them out. I had things like"the heat of many candles will warm you" and "you will sing a song tonight". I placed one on each place setting.

I used a takeout box to hold the forks and we ordered up a bunch of PF Changs for our dinner. Good option for my son as he is a vegetarian. To keep the cost down, we bought a big thing of Veggie Spring rolls at Costco and heated those up as appetizers. Good thing we all got to eat before the power went out!

This was originally going to be the kids table. Here I just have a lantern from out on my deck along with some birds left over from the bird theme baby shower.

The paper signs around the room are a family tradition I started when the kids were little and I was a single working mom. I always felt bad getting up and going to work on their birthdays. Not having a lot of money back then, I would take a piece of paper and write a silly little birthday poem then stick it on their bedroom door so they would see it when they woke up. Over the years they came to expect them and it made me happy knowing they would find them while I was at work. I have since expanded it to all over the house and make them for everyone in the family.

I made a Chinese zodiac to hang on the wall. Gives people something fun to do while standing around.

I thought it would be fun to include our pug Poochie in the festivities as he is a Chinese pug. This was my attempt at making him a costume. He looks more like the tin man. The idea did not last long as he got the hat off and started eating it!

My favorite project for this party......the Candy Sushi!! Here are all of the supplies. This idea really took off after Rachel Ray made them on her show. They are basically rice krispy treats wrapped with fruit roll ups. I made two variations for mine. I liked the ones covered with white chocolate better. If I had known, I would have tried to make the rolls like that as well. The middle of the rolls are gummy worms and the chopsticks are biscuits called Pocky. You can get in the asian aisle at the grocery store.

Look how cute!! People thought they were real sushi. The white chocolate ones really looked like piles of rice!

Out on display at the party. YUM

Candy Sushi was not the only dessert. We had a delish birthday cake. I had Good Fortune written on the top.

I have come to accept that my son is 22 and that he now drinks beer. My husband went along with my theme and brought home some asian beer. I love that he appreciates the theme as much as I do!

As I mentioned, there was a huge power outage smack dab in the middle of our party. What is a hostess to do? Well, my guests did not even skip a beat.....everyone got the candles together and started off a game of charades. We were lucky that we started early, so we had some time before the sun went down.....but it was a good reminder to always have a back up plan for your party.

Just a pic of me and the kids. While I miss having those little kid parties, it is nice knowing that even as adults, they let mommy have her fun and enjoy her party planning.