Easy, Colorful Toddler's Birthday Party

2. Think outside the box. While the kiddos are still young you have a little more leeway with party themes. In no time they'll be asking for a party centered around their favorite cartoon characters.

Although I chose the theme for my daughter's party, I still wanted to reflect an interest of hers. She loves to play with our set of stacking Russian dolls, so that gave me a fun way to incorporate something she likes while still allowing me to use my design skills.

3. Find decor items that you can use again. I have a stash of items I use over and over again. They just get reinvented for each new party, but most people never notice.

The red stallion could be used as a home accessory or for a new party theme, and the Russian Doll Decal I placed on a canvas will hang in my daughter's room post-party.

4. Display paper or plastic plates and silverware in a fun way. Disposable plates are a must for many parties. Instead of just laying out a box of plastic forks and spoons, wrap them in a napkin and tie them off with a ribbon. It looks prettier and makes it easy for your guests to grab a bundle at the buffet.

5. Make food easy. Kids make your life busy enough. Add entertaining and cooking on top of that — someone's going to need a vacation.

You can serve simple foods and just display them in a beautiful way. I lined this metal fish cooker with a beaded napkin and it became a great way to serve bread for the adults' sandwich bar.

7. Make healthy lunches that will please even the pickiest of eaters. Nobody thought they'd have that "picky eater" but let's face it — it happens to the best of us. By offering a variety of healthy finger foods you're sure to hit the mark with at least a few items on every kid's list.

Displaying the toddler lunches in ice cube trays was a fun way for the kids to eat. They were also easy for parents to just grab as their own children became hungry. I found these trays in the Target dollar bin — two for $1.

8. Use signage as decor. I always try to label foods or create a listed menu that I put in a frame. It gives you one more fun design element to add to your party and also gives parents a quick list to browse, in case their child has any food allergies.

This idea can also work for any activities you may be having. You can make signs explaining directions for any activities you have at the party. I once made a sign for a bubble station at my daughter's 1st birthday party. It read, "The Bean's Bubble Bar." We used her nickname in the title.