Little Cozy Solace

My daughter just turned 3 this year, she was finally old enough to make a big decision: party or holiday? Without hesitation, she chose a birthday party—and the excitement on her face was priceless. As a working mom juggling hospital shifts and university coursework, I knew it wouldn’t be easy… but I also knew I wanted to make it magical and unforgettable for her and just like that, the countdown began. 

Party Preparation:

1. Choosing the Perfect Theme

She’s always been an animal lover for her age she always love watching documentaries of animals—last year was all about woodland creatures—but this time, inspiration struck after a family trip to a sea life adventure park. She was mesmerised by jellyfish, turtles, and all things oceanic, so the decision was easy: a sea animal-themed party! To add a bit of magic, I mixed in a splash of mermaid sparkle and built the colour scheme around it—shimmering aqua blues, dreamy purples, and hints of coral.

2. Planning

With the theme set, I rolled up my sleeves and got into full planning mode. I started thinking about where the party would happen—did I want it at home, outdoors, or in a venue that could bring our underwater dream to life? Then came the details: what kind of decorations would make it feel like we were really under the sea? Would the party favours be fun and themed—or should I go the extra mile and have them personalised? I made lists, pinned ideas, and began sketching out what this magical day could look like. At the same time, I had to pin down a date that worked not only for us but also for family and close friends. And of course, I needed to figure out who could help me pull it all together—because balancing my shifts and uni deadlines with balloons and other decoration, goodie bags and food preparation is no small task!

3. The Venue

Choosing the right venue was a top priority—it had to be budget-friendly, accessible for guests, and most importantly, close to home for ease of bringing in supplies and food. Since we were doing everything ourselves, I needed a space that was practical but still allowed room for creativity. The goal was to find somewhere that made the setup smoother, not more stressful. We chose to host the party in a rented centre near us.

4. Buying Supplies and Decoration

Once the venue was sorted, it was time to plan exactly what I needed for the party—and that meant diving into the world of supplies. To stay within budget, I compared prices across different online shops, always hunting for the best deals. Instead of heading to physical stores, I checked their online counterparts first—it saved me time, energy, and often a few pounds. Slowly but surely, I started ticking things off my list—decorations, tableware, party favours—all coming together piece by piece in my spare moments between work and uni.

(You can see everything I bought on this separate page if you’re curious or looking for inspiration!)

5. Invitation

For the invitations, I created them myself using the Canva app, which made the process easy and fun. I even involved my daughter in designing them—she helped pick her favorite sea animals to feature on the invite, making it even more personal and special. Once the invitations were ready, we sent them out online, which was a quick and convenient way to reach everyone. One important thing I made sure to include was an RSVP request. It really helped us get a clear idea of how many guests would be attending, making the planning so much easier.

Here’s a sample of the invitation we made for my daughter’s party! If you’d like to use the same design, I’d be happy to share the link with you.

Just leave me a comment below, and I’ll send it over so you can customise it for your own little one’s special day.

6. Party Favours

Planning the party favors was actually one of the easier parts—having a set theme made all the difference. You can always buy ready-made favor bags, but if you want something more personal, like I did, a little research online goes a long way. When I was brainstorming ideas for my daughter’s party, I pictured something magical—maybe a sparkling shell or a sea animal-themed bag. I turned to Pinterest for inspiration and found plenty of creative ideas. Originally, I planned to make shell-shaped bags myself, but realizing I needed to make around 20 pieces, I knew it would be too much to handle alone. Instead, I found another charming idea while browsing for packaging: clear boxes with a window opening that lets you see the goodies inside. To give it a special sea-themed touch, I swapped out the usual heart-shaped lock for a starfish detail. It turned out to be the perfect mix of personal and practical!

7. Planning the food and desserts

When it came to the food, we decided to stick with what we know best—home-cooked meals and homemade desserts. As Filipinos, it only felt right to serve dishes that were not only easy to prepare but also party favorites everyone would enjoy. We chose recipes that were less time-consuming, budget-friendly, and enough to cater to all the guests we plan to invite. For the desserts, we got a little more creative, making sweet treats that matched the sea animal and mermaid theme—adding a fun, magical touch to the food table without breaking the bank.

For the menu, we chose a mix of Filipino favorites that were both crowd-pleasing and practical to prepare. We served Lechon Kawali (crispy pork belly), lumpia (spring rolls), bakareta (Filipino-style beef stew), and teriyaki salmon for a lighter option. Of course, no kid’s party would be complete without Filipino sweet-style spaghetti—a guaranteed hit with the little ones! We also made salted egg fried shrimp, a colorful plate of chopsuey (mixed vegetables stir-fry), and tender, flavorful baby back ribs. It was a feast that felt comforting, festive, and just right for the celebration.

For the desserts, we had a sweet selection that tied perfectly into the theme. Of course, the centerpiece was the birthday girl’s main cake. We also made cupcakes using a simple box mix to save time, topped them with frosting, and added candy decorations that matched the sea and mermaid vibe. We gave store-bought madeleines a fun twist too—turning them into little “clam shells” with a candy pearl inside. I also made pastel-colored chocolate mousse, carefully layered and served in sealed containers for an extra pop of color. And of course, we brought back last year’s crowd favorite: the berry cones. This time, we improved them by lining the inside of the cones with chocolate before adding the custard and berries, helping to keep them crisp and even more delicious. And to round it all out, I made a refreshing peach float, which was a light, creamy dessert that everyone loved.

(I’ll be sharing some of these recipes in a separate post soon, so stay tuned!)

8. Party games? or Just play?

When it came to entertainment, we wondered at first whether we should organize some party games. But since most of the children attending were toddlers, we decided it would be better (and easier!) to set up a dedicated play area instead. To match the under-the-sea theme, we brought out my daughter’s mini swimming pool with a slide, filled it with soft play balls, and added some sea animal balloons for extra fun. We even set up a bubble machine on the side, which added a magical, ocean-like atmosphere that the little ones absolutely loved.

A Celebration Full of Love and Laughter

At the end of the day, all the months of planning, organizing, and preparing were absolutely worth it. Seeing my daughter’s face light up with excitement, playing with her friends, and dancing around in her little under-the-sea world was the best gift I could have asked for.

It wasn’t about having a perfect party—it was about creating memories she would cherish, surrounded by family, friends, and so much love. I’m especially thankful for my wonderful friends who helped me bring everything together and made this day even more special. Their support truly made a difference and reminded me that even the biggest tasks become lighter when shared.

If you’re planning a toddler’s birthday and feeling overwhelmed, just remember: it doesn’t have to be grand or flawless. A little creativity, lots of heart, and a theme your child loves are truly what make the day magical.