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I know I said that the next post I am gonna write is gonna be sappy, but sorry! That.. can once again wait. Most definitely that will be out by this month. I just am not in the mood for some sappy things right now.
The title kind of says it all. I want to be a wedding planner in the near future and for now all that I've been doing quite a lot for the past about 4 years would mainly be birthdays for family and friends. Birthdays, they are a joyous occasion. Especially if you're turning the special numbers like 16, 18 and 21.
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This post I am writing is all about the perfect birthday. My uncle when he last visited me, talked to me something regarding birthday and that idea he suggested has most definitely got me thinking and I am sure it will be a super effective way to plan your loved ones birthday.
I'm going to take you through the 3 steps I guess. And then as an example, I am gonna use what to me is a perfect birthday. I am also doing this because surprisingly 2 readers actually emailed me asking to do a birthday planning blog post so I'm going to do it so I hope it inspires y'all.
I'll also share this really cool website that I happened to chance upon for those of you who are planning to have themed birthdays and caterings and of course have the budget to do so.
The 3 steps other than the theme, venue and all would be to find out the level of importance of these 3 things.
They would be Cake, Balloon and Gifts. Find out which among these 3 that the birthday girl / guy values the most. That way, you will know which should you most invest most money in. If it's cake and generally food, ensure that the food part is on point. If they are crazy over balloons, then ensure they have a HUGE helium balloon (you can never go wrong with helium balloons!!) and also that the decor like the other balloons and the designs are all perfect and aligned with the theme. If they are into gifts, then you know that you can have a simple cake and decorations but pump in more money for their lavish gifts.
So how do you know which they would like.. it's simple! Just like how my uncle so sneakily asked me, just casually pop up a question. Like Hey, what do you think is a perfect birthday? That way, all you have to do is to listen carefully to what they say and you'll know which segment they spent most time and details on and poof! There you have it.. you know which segment to invest more time and money in.
Now.. the 3 segments.
#1 CAKE
Cake. It is a VITAL thing to have in a birthday or in fact most functions like parties, weddings, graduations, baby shower and so on. There are so many types of cakes from single cakes to tiered cakes. A tiered cake is like the one displayed above. Tier basically means a layer. So a 3 tiered cake simply means a cake with 3 layers. But times have evolved and people have substituted cakes. For example, The Bard or The Captain (whichever you wanna call it) of The NiggAPACHE is OBSESSED with donuts and what we did was to bake him a donut cake. So it's still cake just that it is in the shape of a giant donut. If you want to take a look at the donut cake we baked, just read my blog post HERE .
#2 BALLOON
Balloons.. no matter how old you are (unless for those who genuinely have a phobia of them) you'll like them. Normal ones (the ones where you blow them up yourself) you'll just play with it and lightly tap them around. Helium ones on the other hand, have many purposes. It could be use for decor, it could be use to carry out and display (attach it on your arms by tying the string to your wrist), it could be used for entertainment for example when you suck in the helium air and speak and you sound really high and squeaky. It is just so much fun and there will be people who their focus is balloons so just ask casually and observe their reactions and what they say.
#3 GIFTS
Gifts! They can be the MOST important thing in a birthday or just a pretty meh! kinda thing. For people who expect gadgets or technology related stuff like a new phone or car for example, yeap, they are definitely more gift-oriented and focused people. Gift can come in many forms it could be a product like a physical item for example a dress or a pair of shoes or it could be an experience. For example, taking your loved one to a carnivl or to Disneyland for example and for that whole day, all expense including the ticket fee is on you. But this depends what type of gift does the birthday boy or girl prefer, which he or she would appreciate more and also if a product is hard to think of.
So there you go. That's the 3 main thing to kickstart a birthday planning. Once you know these, the next main thing would be theme. It is always nice to have a theme just like prom or a wedding. The theme could be colors like black & white or it could be places like for example Hollywood or Hawaii, it could be movie based like Star Wars or Frozen.. basically the list is endless.
Once you know the theme then you work on the other details like budget, venue, time, date, the guest list and so on and so forth. This is more for a small scale birthday planning. Obviously, if you wanna do it big, the budget plays a huge part and also more details are required like rental fees and hiring manpower. But either way, the 3 basic things, cake, balloon and gifts won't really change.
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So now for an example...
(I am doing this based on my preference. You do not need to follow this or anything unless you believe that your friend or loved one has the exact similar taste as me. Haha)
After my uncle asked the 3 segments, I was really surprised as apparently I am more cake-oriented. I genuinely had no idea. When I was talking, it was as if I was telling him like a fantasy. He said take into account you didn't have budget as a problem and there is no such thing as impossible.. how would you plan a party for yourself and how would you make it perfect.
I told him that my likes can vary from one point to another. I gave him a bunch of random things for cakes.
I have a CRAZY obsession over... macaroons and my favorite color is pink...
So I was ridiculous when I told my uncle.. must I limit myself to one cake? What if I have a whole bunch of ideas but at that time the one I am MOST crazy for, I'll pick that. He laughed told me to just go on. Like I said I was surprised I ended up being cake-oriented. But I ain't that surprised.. I am a foodie after all.
So I said, one of my birthdays, I would love to have a macaroon tower for my cake. I said..I want the tower pink. I said although the macaroons are pink I didn't wanted all of them to taste like the rose macaroons but instead have them in various flavors like vanilla, pistachio, caramel, chocolate.
Yeap! You see!! I didn't even know I was giving out so much details. That's why I said, try it on your loved ones, you'll be surprised to find out what they will most go crazy for.
He said, well ok.. what's your next cake that you want?
I told him I wanted a 3 - 5 tiered cake but I said nah! I want that for my wedding not my birthday. Instead I told him about my craziness for cupcakes.
Not just any cupcakes, but velvet ones. My uncle asked, is it red velvet.. I was like yeah close.. but I want them Pink! He chuckled once more. Then I said I also really love unicorns and so I would love to have some pink velvet cupcakes with unicorns on them.
He told me I haven't changed since I was a little girl and I told him that you can never be too old to love unicorns.. I know 2 guys in The NiggAPACHE, practically the Bronies who can agree to that!
Hehehe
Then he asked how many more of these crazy ideas that I have. I said... hmm well maybe just one more. But the last was the most detailed one that I gave him.
I told him I wanted a brownie cake. He went Oh, that's all? That's easy.. I smirked and said.. who said it was just a brownie cake? He smiled as he listened to me babble on about the details of it.
I am a HUGE fudge lover! So I told him I wanted a GIANT chocolate fudge brownie that had chocolate sauce that oozes outta it when you cut it. I told him that I am a white chocolate lover too. So, there MUST me white chocolate sauce and white chocolate chip pieces all over and on top of the brownie just drizzled nicely. No brownie is completed without ice cream. I said I wanted a HUMONGOUS scoop of vanilla ice cream to compliment the brownie by the side of it.
He then asked if that was all. I was like no way! I want my cookie dough! I went into a 5 minute long explanation on how cookie dough is not the same as chocolate chip cookie dough. I prefer cookie dough on its own and chocolate chip on its on and not combined. The new B&J ice cream flavor made me feel like that. He asked then where was I gonna put the cookie dough. I said, I wanted it to look like mini glitters. So a bunch of them in tiny ribbon shape all around the tray or plate of the brownie.
He then even asked me, I thought you liked cookies and cream? I don't see that in your list of super meticulous cakes. I just giggled and told him to wait for it.. they will have their time.. just not in the sections for cake.
He asked what about balloons? I said I love them and before I said anything. He went all.. wait lemme guess? Pink? Haha
Well, I can't say he was wrong. I am a HUGE fan of Helium Balloons and I said that if I could it would be two kinds. I said, if I was throwing myself a party then it would be a whole bunch of pink helium balloons everywhere. But... if my birthday was celebrated outside, I would want just 1 helium balloon, I mean hey! If it said Princess, I'll fall in love with that balloon even more! haha!
Like I said, unknowingly I spoke so much and so in detail about the cake as compared to the balloons.. that is where importance plays a part. I LOVE balloons.. apparently I guess I love food more.
Next.. gift. This was a really brief section I guess. Because, weirdly.. as much as I love and appreciate people getting and buying me things, I am someone who finds more satisfaction in saving up and purchasing the item I have been wanting for a really long time. I find by doing that, you tend to value and guard that product a little more. So I told my uncle my super psycho-ness for boxes!
I said, for my birthday, I can have any gifts or presents people want to get me. Be it a book, an outfit, some accessory..I am really fine with anything but I really ADORE boxes.. I mean they are so pretty and they can store all your stuff and make them look so organized! Haha
So I told my uncle that if I ever had a party, like the whole "Perfect" party, I would want whoever who came that brought me a gift.. to have it all wrapped in pretty boxes, big and small and all in various colors fitted for that gift. Confused? Lemme explain. If someone bought me a yellow item for example a yellow dress, for that to be placed in a yellow box. If someone got me something pink, that item to be in a pink box.
My uncle asked how many boxes do you expect to see? I said it honestly depends on how many people come and how many various different colored items that they get me. I said that I could only think of these colors so I guess they will do?
Red, Yellow, Pink, Sea Green, Lilac, Orange, Turquoise, Tiffany Blue, Black, White, Brown, Beige, Gold, Silver, Grey, Rainbow, Galactic, Aztec, Prints (Animal, Polka Dot, Stripes, Patterned), Ombre, Sparkly etc...
I told him I'll value the gifts A LOT! But I know myself well enough that I will treasure the boxes more and utilize it really well. hahaha
Then he talked about themes and I said what other would I love other than Victoria's Secret?! I mean they value pink just like I do.. there are the angel's wings which are phenomenal, the supermodels are just stunning. I would simply just die on the spot if I had a VS themed party and have my own angel wings that day. Just for that one day to feel like an angel! There has to be a runway though! So there can be some "real" VS strutting happening!!!
I also told him, Barbie is also pink. I grew up watching it, loving it and always wanting one and it will be cool to have a life-size barbie box in the party to take cool photos with your friends instead of just taking them from the typical photo booths.
My uncle knows that this is what I would want if I ever threw myself a lavish party. But he knows I am more into experience sometimes.. so he asked me if I could go anywhere for my birthday where would I go.
I told him the list was endless but what would be on the very top would be.. Vegas! Well that's what he said. Although it would be amazing to celebrate one's 21st there, to me where I would wanna go would be... DISNEYLAND!
I ain't talking about Hong Kong Disneyland but the real Disneyworld Disneyland in the US.
I told him I would want to get an all day trip to Disneyland and there has to be a few requirements.
Firstly, I must be a real princess for that one day so I have to have a tiara that I will be wearing throughout and taking out only when I'm on rides.
Secondly, I CANNOT go there alone and MUST go with a bunch of really close friends.
Thirdly, we HAVE to eat PARTY FOOD & SNACKS! Here's where the cookies and cream comes in. Whether it is in Disneyland or outside, I want to have a cookies and cream ice cream. Other party snacks include carnival food like cotton candy, hotdog buns, waffles, milkshakes and so on...
Next, just like how people have their wedding shots or proposal shots in front of the castle.. like I said, I wanna be a princess for a day so I have to get a shot with my castle / palace.
Lastly, I want to leave Disneyland with an item from it. Be it a snow globe, a huge plushie, a polaroid of me in a merry-go-round.. whatever it is, I wanna have something physical to take back with me other than the amazing experience and memories.
I told my uncle I love travelling the world and he most definitely knows that. So, I told him that it'll be nice to do something fun outta Singapore with a bunch of your loved ones for my birthday.
In the end, I told him, all these that he had asked me are simply things that I am happy enough to just dream and talk about. It is a true fairytale and a blessing if these fantasies come true. I said that I would love for all that I have listed above to happen. However, they do not have to happen for my birthday. For example, travelling or Disneyland. That is bound to happen and it's one of my dreams. But I can still do all the things I have listed above just with a bunch of close friends on a random vacation.
The cakes and all can be bought or baked and more DIY and customized for any occasion.
I really do love birthdays but there's one thing that I've always had. I really love planning people's birthdays and to be honest, I am honestly always looking forward to people's birthdays rather than mine. He knows the reason why I love birthdays but don't really like mine.. that reason shall not be publicized here.
All these will be really amazing to happen if I had the financial means. One day I sure do hope I have. Well, I am working towards it. But what I want to do honestly for now.. if there is a birthday wish I could ever ask for.. is just to spend it with my loved ones. All I want is to just spend even if it's for 10 mins... I want to be in the presence of The NiggAPACHE. Cuz.. being with them, it is truly the best gift I can ever ask for. Now that.. beats every single one of the things I talked about..
The gift of friendship. Now, that's a gift I'll pick over and actually want over any gift, any boxes, any place, any balloon, and even any cake. hahaha
If you do not even have your loved ones with you.. don't bother calling it a birthday then.
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My uncle then asked me what is one thing I am saving up for then. I told him it was pretty childish. I even blogged about it HERE before. It's nothing but a charm bracelet. He said, oh you like Pandora?
I really laughed because that was the kind that I find people get a little too crazy for.. the one I want is just a simple circular chain where you just clip on the pendants. I said 16 is my favorite number and I want 16 charms to resemble that..
He asked what are they.. I listed them along with the reasons.
1. Camera - Because I love taking photos and they always capture beautiful moments and bring back sweet memories
2. Angel Wings - Come on... VS reference! My FAV brand!
3. Ballet Shoes - I love dancing and ballet was one of my favs to learn.
4. Eiffel Tower - I love travelling and it also represents one of the 7 wonders of the world.
5. Helicopter - A mini apache to represent The NiggAPACHE of course!
6. Dress - Because I love shopping and DRESSES!! Yea.. I'm pretty girly!
7. Tiara - because I'm a princess or at least want to be one! hehe
8. Record / CD / Vinyl - because music makes you lose control and I love vintage items
9. Unicorn (If I really cannot find that then probably a dog, a deer or a dolphin) - If I can, I want to get a unicorn because it is THE BEST mythical creature.. but if I can't find it, then a door or a deer or a dolphin as they are animals which I love!
10. Ribbon - A symbol / logo that represents me
11. Macaroon (If I really cannot find that, then a donut or a slice of cake) - I'm a foodie and I really love my snacks. If I can't lay my hands on a macaroon charm, there are desserts like cakes and donuts to try for.
12. Book / Journal / Diary - I love writing and believe it is one of the best forms of expressing ones thoughts.. as y'all can see I am blogging this much now itself.
13. Vodka - shhhh #OnlyNiggapacheKnows
14. Heart Pendent -One of my fav shapes and represents 2 things I love... Love & Happiness
15. Flower - Reminds me of Nature and it's beauty and softness and to always be kind and gentle and also that it is okay to be a late bloomer, as you'll still end up being a beautiful flower.
16. Garnett - It is my birthstone / gemstone
My uncle then asked me why haven't I gotten it yet. Well, financial reasons is a BIG factor but the reason why I am posting about the charm bracelet here would be more for HELP. Because I have utterly NO IDEA where to get the 16 charms I listed above at an affordable price. I know where to purchase the bracelet but the charms for example a unicorn or a macaroon or a helicopter are definitely more uncommon.. so if any of you who are reading this have any clues on where I can get the charms, do lemme know at my email : 16farhana61@gmail.com
Your help will be much appreciated. I will finally be able to pick and select my charms and not have to worry about the price like it being $50++ for just one charm!
I really do hope that the 3 segment birthday tips have helped you and the example I have used have given you a better understanding on how you can be a better birthday planner. Like I have said several times in this blog post.. just find some time to simply pop that question on what do they think a perfect birthday is.. the one where they give most emphasis and details, that's your BULL'S EYE!
If you are planning your own birthday party and you are uncertain of what you would like more, ask yourself the same question and the same 3 segments, you'll be surprise with your results and you'll know what to do from there since you've hit the jackpot!!!
Before I end this blog post, as I had mentioned earlier on that I would share a link with you guys. This if for those of you who already have your answers to the 3 segments and have the financial means to plan and purchase them.
This is Bake Babe and trust me the packages here are simply amazing! There's even customization package available.. so why not try it? They even have the cutest thing.. CAKE POPS!
I mean Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!
Well, that's all for now. The time is 1.15am and I really should sleep so that I will be on time for my Entrepreneurship class which would be happening in a matter of hours! Thank you for reading and if you happen to know where to get any of the above listed charms, do drop me an email.
I wish the best of luck for those who are planning for their loved ones birthday parties or any events and also if you are planning for your own, have fun discovering what is most important to you and secretly what do you value the most.
Till next time
xoxo
The Future Wedding Planner
Farhana Mazlan
