Be a Hip Host: How to Plan a Vintage Ice Cream Party for the Kids!
Looking for a sweet way to beat the heat at your daughter’s summer birthday party? Three words: ice cream party! The little birthday girl and her guests will be giddy over the idea of everything ice cream—from decorations to party supplies to the birthday cake to favors. And of course, actual luscious, cold, and creamy ice cream! We picture this as a pastel-pretty scene, a la vintage era ice cream parlor. So we gathered some of the most creative ideas and products to help you get the scoop on styling this sweet birthday bash!
1 – A pretty invitation with a colorful buntig design – available as a digital file from LillyMaeDesigns
2 – Fondant cupcakes decorated as ice cream scoops – featured on Best Friends For Frosting, credited to Hello Naomi
3 – Sweet treats display using waffle sugar cones to hold anything from gumballs to delicious scoops of ice cream (or are those cupcakes?) – super cute idea from an ice cream social styled by Kara of Kara’s Party Ideas
4 – DIY ruffled ice cream cone decorations that would also make the sweetest favors – crafted by Icing Designs Online with a tutorial provided
5 – Pastel-colored ice cream pop cake – all-fondant creation by Erica O’Brien; as she describes it “everything is edible except the popsicle sticks”!
6 – Ice cream cone-shaped cutlery holder – bought from the dollar store by Kendra of Me and My Insanity and spray-painted pink
7 – Ice cream party set of 12 patterned cups and wooden spoons, packaged in a vintage van box – from Party Table, £8.99 (€10.50) (found via Baby Jungle)
8 – Ice cream bar with an array of toppings in jars – part of a real party featured on Pear Tree Greetings, using their adorable printed products
Creative Ice Cream Party Decorations: Dessert Display Inspiration by Party Blogs
As if all that ice cream party goodness (and cuteness!) wasn’t enough, we’re featuring even more inspiration—via creative examples of dessert displays by some amazing party stylists and vendors. Get ready to scoop up ideas for your party planning checklist!
1. Gotta love this 1st birthday ice cream shop dessert table from Jenny Cookies. The striped and scalloped café canopy adds instant chic to the fabulous “everything ice cream” treats display. While the green milk glass cake stands, distressed wooden drawers, and polkadot bunting provide a shabby chic look.
2. This vintage ice cream parlor display from Minted and Vintage features such darling details—from the pink and mint color palette, to the retro sign board, milk glass bowls and plates on stands, mason jar canisters, crocheted table runners, and the sweetest toy cash register!
3. Want to create a fancy backdrop for your dessert display? Check out this very thorough tutorial for a DIY awning and wall-and-window from The Life Jolie. It will require a bit of wood-working knowhow and clever materials sourcing, but the result is a striking recreation of an ice cream storefront. Pretty!
4. How whimsical and playful is this ice cream dessert table from Ice Cream on Wheels! No matter what treats you choose to serve, just add pom pom garlands and bunting and scatter loose confetti all over like giant sprinkles—and you’ll have the most irresistible sweets display for little guests.
5. What about a sentimental retro vibe? You cen recreate the look of a Sweet Sundae Social like this one, featured on Too Stinkin’ Cute as spotted on Pinterest. The secret is the iconic palette of red and aqua, plus a set of Retro Coke Float Ice Cream Printable Party Decor from Hello My Sweet.
There’s more to love here with these creative ways to have an ice cream social or birthday this summer! Whether it’s a vintage cart, parlor-inspired display, or conventional table presentation, we are sure that you will be inspired!
6. Talk about nostalgic! This Pastel Summer Ice Cream Party by One Stylish Party features an actual throwback ice cream cart, complete with a striped garden umbrella, balloons, honeycomb decor, fresh flowers, vintage serve ware—all in pastel hues inspired by mint, strawberry, and vanilla ice cream. Perfect for a summer garden party!
7. Totally doable for an at-home gathering is this simpler take on a Vintage Ice Cream Parlor display from Reid Girls Handmade. A selection of sodas for ice cream floats, cans of whipped cream, sprinkles, cherries, sugar cones, and a cute little cake are all tied together by a red dotted table cloth and a pretty pair of daisy arrangements.
8. How can guests resist an ice cream bar display as delicious-looking as this one featured on Ruffles and Bowties Boutique? Everything is “in color” from pink and aqua ice cream bowls and float/parfait glasses to frosted cookies, candies, cake pops, and marshmallows—displayed on a white bar cart, white cake stand, and white tub. Simple yet scrumptious!
9. Adorable up close are these details from Emma’s Ice Cream Party by A Little Loveliness. A printable sign from the Ice Cream Parlor party collection from hello love designs sets the look in a vintage-style frame. Then, gorgeous pink and white tulips in ice cream cone vases and rainbow-colored sprinkles in a cut-glass bowl provide a perfect match!
10. Color choice again is key in this lovely “Sundae Funday” display for an ice cream social party from American Greetings. Tissue pompoms, honeycomb balls, paper lanterns, and tassel garlands in shades of pink, aqua, lavender, and yellow make this sweets table a real treat for the eyes, too!
These are such adorable ideas! Nothing says summer like a fun ice cream party or social!