I won't be able to plan the theme for my kids birthdays forever. So when they're little, I like to take full advantage of DIY birthdays (well at least the first birthdays). For me, if I budget correctly and use items I have laying around my house, I can still spend the same amount I would spend if I bought the pre-made party packages (ie, character plates, cups, table cloths, table centerpieces, etc) that you can get at party city. The thing I like about DIY parties is that most of what you make can be used as decor after your done. For some reason, Minnie Mouse just really stuck out to me. I had previously been on Pinterest and had gone pinning crazy for a Winter Onederland theme, but that quickly changed. I didn't spend a lot of time planning. I literally just spent the 2-3 weeks before her party looking for ideas via Pinterest, and going out to buy everything I needed to. Door Decor! I found this chalkboard in this frame at a local store back when I was pregna...