Plan an Ice Cream Shoppe Party
by Hostess with the Mostess
Nothing screams summer fun like an ice cream social! It's the perfect way to celebrate a boy or girl birthday, all you have to do is change out the party colors to his or her favorite. We gave ours a vintage ice cream shoppe vibe, with sweet stripes, playful polka-dots and a sherbet- inspired color palette. Snacks and decor designed to look like ice cream cones add a fun, unexpected touch. But the sweetest thing about this party has to be the sundae bar and all of its delicious toppings*.
THREE TO FOUR WEEKS BEFORE:
Decide on a location and time. This theme — which can be hosted inside or out — is ideal for spring or summer. If you decide to host your party outdoors, make sure to scout out a shady spot for the sundae bar.
Plan the decorations. Our printable designs make it easy to give your party a professionally styled look. Download party signs, ice cream topping labels, and other fun designs, and use them as a guide for color and style when purchasing items for the party. Play up the ice cream theme by attaching paper cones to balloons and
and decorative paper lanterns to turn them into giant "ice cream cones"! Print out our patterned paper to make the cones and other cute decorations.
Plan your menu. Make your sundae bar extra inviting with a creative presentation! Display sundae toppings in white bowls embellished with scalloped labels and mini wooden scoops. Dress up paper ice cream bowls with party circles, and use craft glitter to add sparkle to whipped cream cans! For melt-proof treats, whip up some cute Mini Cereal Treat Ice Cream Cones or Cupcake Ice Cream Cones.
Week of the Party:
Shop for food and desserts. Prepare what you can in advance to save time on the day of the party. If you're ordering anything from a bakery or caterer, now is the time to put in your order.
Decide on your dessert table setup. Determine the placement of your sundae table and pick out the various serving dishes and containers you will need for the toppings and other dessert items. Be sure to create varying heights for the display table to add interest. Sturdy boxes covered in decorative paper or gift wrap are great for DIY risers.
Prepare your decorations. Print and assemble any of the paper elements you are using for the shower, including party circles, drink flags, and patterned paper (view all of the free downloadable templates for this party here). Assemble crafts that will serve as part of your display, like Giant Paper Ice Cream Cones and Glittered Whipped Cream Cans. Our Yarn Ball Ice Cream Cone garland takes a little longer to assemble, so make sure to give yourself ample time. You can also make the Ice Cream Cone Favor Bags ahead of time, as well as fold the napkins for the Ice Cream Cone Place Settings and roll the paper cones for the Ice Cream Balloons.
Day of the Party:
Prepare food and desserts. Finish preparing any of the items you will be serving at the party. Set out and arrange all melt-proof treats and toppings on the Ice Cream Bar. Mix all ingredients for the Pink Lemonade Sherbet Punch ahead of time except for the sherbet, which should be added to the punch immediately before serving.
Decorate for the party. Set the kids table with Ice Cream Cone Place Settings
and Ice Cream Cone Favor Bags, and decorate their chairs with metallic gold tissue tassels. Incorporate Yarn Ball Ice Cream Cones into the centerpiece, or use hot glue to string them into a party garland. Attach drink flags to gold striped straws and display printable party signs in white or gold glitter frames. Close to the time that the party starts, blow up the balloons for your Ice Cream Cone Balloon decorations.
