A few days back I took advantage of the warm weather to do an ice-cream party for my kids and a few of their friends. It has been a long winter and we needed any excuse to throw a party. While some people can do this simply, with a few bowls for toppings and a few buckets of different ice cream flavors, my hubby knows I cannot. So I scurried around the weekend before to gather some decorating supplies to make sure the party felt like summer. I think this has been one of my favorite set ups.
I bought some trays in teal blue, a typical ice cream shoppe color, at an office supply store and bought a matching tablecloth, which if you ever have a hard time doing, consider using a curtain as a table cover. You can often find curtains in awesome patterns and colors. I set up one big tray with the toppings, both real fruit and candied fruit, and used ice cream themed cupcake toppers as labels. You can use dried bananas, caramel popcorn, coconut flakes, and mini oreos too, I also used them to label the sauce jugs, chocolate and caramel – Mmmmmm.
To keep things tidy and fun I wrapped the ice cream cones in paper party wrappers, and the kids can dip with cones and add sprinkles to start their assembly. While they wait for that to set they can pick ice cream flavors and toppings.
The flower arrangements were even ice cream-inspired. I used these blue wine glasses with a white cone shaped bloom from my garden. I popped a cherry on top and stuck in a straw to imitate a delicious vanilla sundae.
For the guests who don’t want the full ice cream sundae treatment, maybe those parents watching their summer waistlines, these little sundae-like treats are the perfect indulgence. In a shooter glass, spoon in a bit of ice cream, and pop a mini-cupcake on top. Who am I kidding? This is what my kids and I where eating while we were dipping our cones!
During my shopping escapades for this party, I found these adorable cups that fit perfect with the party’s color scheme. It was a big hit with the parents that came after the party and indulged with a couple of yummy scoops or ice cream. I liked how each cup had “You are the sprinkles on my ice cream” printed on it.
I did up a few other treats too. Here I dipped small cones with sprinkles then melted a few small marshmallows inside and topped with a cherry. I recycled these glass drink bottles from another party and personalized them with personalized ice cream themed labels. For that little bit of extra detail, I put a dipped candy melter in each one.
Other ideas to include are cones filled with cotton candy or popcorn for a healthy treat to give guests a break from the sugar rush. Use mini jars, like the ones you would find at a candy shoppe, to display the sprinkles and small candy.
Speaking of sweet candy toppings, there’s no shortage of choice, you can offer a bunch like:
- Skittles
- M&M’s Plain
- M&M’s Peanut
- Starburst Minis Unwrapped
- Butterfinger Chopped Topping
- Heath Candy Bar Chopped Topping
- Kit Kat Chopped Topping
- Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Chopped Topping
- Snickers Chopped
Last but not least, I complemented the table with yummy Rice Krispie Treat Ice Cream Cones topped with candy!
I think for the next edition, that will be happening soon as the warm weather is actually starting to arrive, will be an ice cream sandwich party. Ice cream between baked cookies – delish! It isn’t hard to throw an ice cream party and it’s very easy to justify (birthday, baby shower, social party etc), just take the time to make it extra special with a few creative snacks, some thoughtful decoration and of course by sending out fun ice cream party invitations ahead of time. That personalized touch only adds to the anticipation and excitement and that makes the party memorable.