Alvin & The Chipmunks/Chippettes Birthday Party

Both my sons have their birthdays in February 7 days apart. We've always sent cake and favors to their classes and then held a combined, quaint family party on the weekend.

Every year they choose a theme. This year they were so into Alvin & The Chipmunk movie "Chip-wrecked" it only made sense for it to be the theme.

I decided in my quest to keep my New Year's resolution, instead of paying $60 to Publix to buy amazing cupcakes, I would do the entire party by hand.

I spent all of January researching ideas to make it fabulous. I found the KitKat cake on Pinterest and did a trial run. Everyone loved it. Besides the cost of the KitKats and M&M's, it's still a steal.

The cupcakes have wrappers & toppers all within the theme. I found images of the chipmunks and pasted them onto card stock. Added some embellishments and Voila!

For favors, I always send juice boxes, fruit rollups and fruit snacks. This year instead of the treat bags I would usually purchase in the birthday theme I had the kids help make "crackers" also known as "poppers". They're cute, easy and still in the theme.

Finally, for each major holiday, birthdays included, I've decided to decorate the fireplace mantel. It's a reminder of the upcoming holiday and adds a punch of color. I always go through withdrawal after taking down the Christmas decorations.

I make all of the decorations by hand and have included in the pics our Valentine mantel as well.

The good thing about the birthday mantel is that in our house alone we have three birthdays in succession so I will get good use of the decorations.