“One for the Books” | Oliver’s First Birthday Party Bookish Mood Board
One for the Books: Celebrating Oliver’s First Birthday with a Bookish Bash
There’s something magical about a child’s first birthday—it’s a celebration of life, wonder, and the tiny pages of their story just beginning to turn. For our sweet Oliver, we wanted a theme that captured that sense of wonder while reflecting one of our favorite shared joys: children’s books. So we’re throwing a “One for the Books” birthday party, and I couldn’t be more excited to share our inspiration and plans!
Also quick note: how has it been nearly one year since he was born? My how time flies!
The Theme: One for the Books
We’ve chosen a book-themed birthday for our little reader-in-the-making, filled with sweet nods to classic children’s stories. From decorations to desserts, the day will be sprinkled with pages of literary charm. Think cozy corners, party hats on beloved stuffed animals, and a gentle color palette inspired by vintage storybooks.
The Decor: A Little Bit of Whimsy
Oliver isn’t old enough to care about his party theme (hooray, lol), so I chose a theme that I was really excited about. And honestly, Ollie loves reading books with us, so it is totally fitting for his personality. My ambition for this party is to use what we have — reusable party decorations, stuffed animals, and books from our shelves — as the party decor (I’m only planning on purchasing food and few balloons as consumables for this party). Our party setup is designed to feel like a storybook come to life. We’ll have a printable book cover bunting and “Chapter 1” banner that I made in Canva hung near the food, surrounded by our reusable bunting and clusters of warm-toned balloons. Our (ever-growing) collection of stuffed animals will don party hats in hopes that each little scene will feel like its own charming illustration.
We’re creating a “Chapter One” display featuring Oliver’s (okay, my) favorite books, plush friends, and some literary-inspired signage. A banner of classic book covers will hang above the cake table—think titles like Goodnight Moon, Corduroy, and The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
The Food: Straight from the Storybooks
One of my favorite parts of planning this party has been matching foods to storybooks. Here’s a peek at the menu:
- Blueberries for Sal – A bowl of fresh blueberries, of course.
- If You Give a Mouse a Cookie – Chocolate chip cookies for nibbling.
- Peter Rabbit – A garden veggie tray we’re calling “Mr. McGregor’s Garden.”
- The Very Hungry Caterpillar – Fruit kabobs that echo the caterpillar’s colorful feast.
- Winnie the Pooh – Honey sticks and graham crackers.
- Book Worms – Sour gummy worms in little “Book Worms” treat bags.
Each station will have a little sign and book to tie it all together!
The Sweet Stuff: Cakes and Cupcake
We’re keeping things simple with store-bought cupcakes, but giving them a special touch with mini book toppers. Each cupcake will display a tiny cover from a classic Golden Book or a vintage story favorite. The party favors will be gummy worms in little bags marked “Book Worms” (I also made these labels in Canva). We’ll also have a candle marked “1” to celebrate Oliver’s big milestone.
The Mood Board
To bring this vision to life, here’s a visual snapshot of our inspiration (all taken from Pinterest):
- Soft neutral tones with pops of vintage color (rust, gold, sage, navy)
- Bunting banners and cozy corners
- Classic children’s books and plush animal friends
- Story-themed snacks and treats
- “Chapter One” signage
Turning the Page
We’re so thankful for this past year with Oliver—one filled with snuggles, laughter, quite a bit of fussing, and a whole lot of books at bedtime. This first birthday is truly one for the books, and we can’t wait to celebrate this sweet chapter with our family and friends.
Whether you’re planning a first birthday or just love a good literary party, I hope this gives you inspiration to create something meaningful and memory-filled.
Happy reading—and celebrating!
