Lumberjack Birthday Party

Designing a Lumberjack-Themed Birthday Party for My One-Year-Old

Time flies, doesn't it? My son Owen turned one in December, but due to a snowstorm and my busy schedule, we had to postpone his birthday party until this weekend. It's crazy how quickly the year has gone by! It’s hard to believe how fast he's growing.

As a mom, one of my favorite things to do is craft. And while my husband often jokes that I get way too stressed out before parties (he’s probably right), it’s a way for me to create a warm, welcoming environment for our guests. I want our home to feel comfortable and full of love, even amidst the inevitable mess of everyday life.

The Invitations:

Given the last-minute nature of the party, I opted for a quick Facebook invite. I also whipped up a simple design for the cover photo using a new tool I received for Christmas—thank you, hubby! The process was so fast and easy, and I loved how it turned out.

Decorations:

I initially had bigger plans for the decorations, but life with two young kids means things don’t always go as planned. I’m learning to embrace the chaos and remember that it’s okay to have a bit of a mess. Life isn’t perfect, and I want my guests to feel comfortable in a lived-in home—where, yes, even with the clutter, God’s presence can be felt.

Since Owen’s birthday falls so close to Christmas, I decided to go with a lumberjack theme—practical and budget-friendly! I was able to find great deals on party supplies after Christmas (thank you, Target—85% off, woohoo!), and I didn’t have to make everything from scratch this time. My husband helped by cutting a few log chunks from our woodpile, and I used leftover Christmas decor to bring the theme to life. I also repurposed a poster board from my daughter’s second birthday to create some birch tree wall decorations—super easy and done in about an hour!

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Here is SMORE fun:

Everyone loves smores, right? Well, at least my family does. I saw some pretty cute ideas on Pinterest so I thought I would make a family smore kit. The kit contains enough ingredients for 4 smores. If the family was large I just gave them two...or three. We only had 3 families come but that was enough for our little country house. 10 kids and 5 adults was enough and luckily I had enough smores for them all.

My Thoughts:

Looking back, this first year with Owen has been full of joy and growth. He’s a bundle of love, curiosity, and energy, and it’s been such a privilege to watch him develop into his own little person. This year has taught me so much—about motherhood, patience, and what’s truly important.

Here are a few things Owen has taught me over the past year:

1. Breastfeeding is still the hardest thing on earth.
2. Sibling rivalry is real (and it starts early!).
3. Being in two places at once is possible with young kids.
4. Poop has impeccable timing and usually appears right after breakfast.
5. Baby kisses are best when they're full of slobber.
6. The best snuggles come at 3AM.
7. Date nights are a must for maintaining sanity.
8. It’s okay to stick the baby in a highchair just so you can use the bathroom by yourself.
9. Owen can make me laugh and cry, often in the same moment.
10. If he wants something, he will perform a running tackle to get it.
11. Life is short, and the moments we have with our children are precious—enjoy every minute, even the messy ones.

I’m so thankful for the opportunity to be home with my kids and witness their growth. I look forward to the adventures the next year will bring, and I can’t wait to see what else Owen teaches me.