Just because it’s a kid’s birthday party doesn’t mean the adults can’t have fun too—and no, we’re not just talking about wine and beer in Solo cups (although that doesn’t hurt). This summer, we’re rethinking what a kid-friendly birthday bash can look like: Think platters of French pastries, silver coupes filled with grapes, and homemade paper chains that are prettier than the ones you remember from kindergarten.
Most recently, we’re looking to Tess Gigone—Toronto-based creator and our resident recipe try-er in It’s Fine—for all the inspiration. At Food52, we’ve seen her tackle classic recipes for the first time ever (gracefully, might I add). And if there’s one thing we’ve learned from watching her, it’s that she has an incredible eye.
In one of our recent episodes, she took on a 1950s jello salad mold (yes, complete with tuna, cucumbers, and neon green jello) and still managed to make it look enticing, with a green dress to match. She’s one of those effortlessly cool people you’re always curious about. You might know her from her cooking videos, but she also has great taste beyond the kitchen.
So it’s no surprise that when she recently threw a birthday party for her one-year-old daughter, it ended up being cooler than most of my adult parties combined.
“I didn't start with a specific theme, but the celebration naturally evolved into something wonderfully whimsical,” she told me.
That translated into delicate florals everywhere, cakes topped with daisies, and yes, even a plate of canelés with a couple of birthday candles tucked in. The fact that I had to confirm what a canelé was says it all.
“It reflected my journey of rediscovering childhood wonder with my daughter—think woodland fairies and magic,” Tess explained. “The space came alive with delicate florals, creating this little enchanted world that felt just right for her first birthday.”
Whimsical summer is in. And while your one-year-old might not have strong opinions on party themes just yet, we love the idea of drawing inspiration from your own childhood nostalgia and layering in the grown-up touches you love now.
We asked Tess to share her top hosting tips for planning a celebration that’s equal parts charming and chill. Here’s what she told us.
1. Let the theme evolve (and pull from your own childhood)
Rather than defaulting to licensed characters (no shade to Paw Patrol, but you get it), Tess leaned into the magic and imagination of her own childhood. That resulted in a woodland fairy-meets-retro fête that felt more personal—and more timeless.
2. Make your own decorations—yes, really
One of Tess’s favorite details? The paper chains. “Such a simple, old-school decoration that completely transformed our space,” she says. “I splurged on beautiful paper to make them special, knowing they'll become little treasures we'll bring out year after year.”
3. Go homemade with the food (but get help)
"In our family, handmade is the love language we all speak,” Tess says. She handled the cake, her brother made the main dish, her mom brought appetizers, and the rest of the family pitched in with desserts, flowers, and setup. Moral of the story: Delegate.
When it comes to dessert, don’t shy away from homemade either. I love the idea of a full cake with a side platter of donuts, beignets, or canelés like Tess did.
4. Don’t try to be a hero
“Be realistic about what you have time for—the day moves so quickly!” she says. One tip she swears by? Put decorations up early. “I did it almost a week ahead, which built excitement and took pressure off the actual day.”
5. A sandwich table is always a win
Don’t overthink it. A sandwich spread is universally loved, low-stress, and lets guests help themselves while you enjoy the party too. You could do a build-your-own table or pre-build and cut them like Tess did.
6. Bring in fresh (ideally wild) flowers
You don’t need elaborate arrangements. A few jars of handpicked wildflowers add instant charm and make any table feel festive. Tess's party was full of delicate florals, and they helped turn the space into that enchanted, woodland wonderland. I personally loved the detail of adding flowers with their stems on the cake.
What are your best hosting tips for a kid's birthday party?
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