Party in Five: Neon Birthday Party
We here at Cooking Channel love a good party. But throwing a memorable event requires more than just gathering some food and drinks. We show you how with just five main “ingredients” (including recipes, big-impact decorating ideas and easy DIY elements) you can throw a party that feels like it has a cohesive theme — minimal work required.
When we’re adults, birthdays come and go – often uncelebrated or with little fanfare – so when a milestone year approaches, it feels all the more special and worthy of a full-blown fete. In honor of a friend who recently turned the big 3-0 – and Cooking Channel, which turns 3 years old, today! – I planned a party that’s made for adults but is filled with the whimsy and excitement typically reserved for children’s parties. Utilizing a neutral background and metallic accents, I chose a neon color palette for an on-trend feel, but I’ll show you below how this party can be adapted to any color palette of your choosing.
To host your own neon birthday party, you’ll need five essential ingredients:
Click here to see the full party and get tips for hosting your own color-themed birthday party.
Greet guests at the door with a festive and colorful cocktail like the Blissini, which combines Prosecco with orange juice, pomegranate juice and mint leaves. Serve in modern champagne flutes and top with tinsel stir sticks for the perfect "party in a glass."
Fresh produce adds vibrant color to any table design and makes for easy party bites. Here, vegetable crudites displayed in clear containers becomes part of the decor, while cucumber-dill yogurt dip forms a tasty and neutral-colored accompaniment. Refreshing summer rolls add a global touch to the menu and can be served simply with chopsticks and a side of sweet-and-savory sauce.
Colorful cupcakes, displayed on the table throughout the evening in lieu of flowers, do double duty as this party’s sweet finale and big-impact decorating idea. Simple vanilla cupcakes can be topped with frosting in a variety of rainbow hues and arranged on tiered cake stands for a showstopping centerpiece.
Camille Styles is the founder and editor of the lifestyle blog camillestyles.com, where she shares creative enterta ining ideas for parties and everyday life. She also owns Camille Styles Events, a design and planning firm that transforms ordinary events into extraordinary experiences.
