A Sweet Scenario

Next was the decor and set-up of our Sugar Shack. We wanted to create an authentic-looking candy shop that was both functional and festive. Using a 6-foot table, we added adorable linens from Classic Party Rentals and used a canopy we found at IKEA. We then added card stock to the scallop trim to match our theme and simply tacked it to the wall above the table. Voila! 

 

Delicious Details

This was a 7-year-old's birthday celebration, so the birthday cake by Cake Occasion became the centerpiece for the table and we surrounded it with a bevy of other treats like cupcakes, cake pushup pops, and ice cream cone cotton candy. One of our favorite details was the custom signage designed by Catchingfireflies — each sign was unique and adorable. We even had custom sticker labels made for the mini milk bottles used to serve pink lemonade.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Make it Yourself

Many of the visual elements of this party were DIY projects. The giant candy and lollipops used for the entrance were made of bouncy balls and plastic plates on wooden dowels — all wrapped in iridescent cellophane — and were super easy to create. The table centerpieces were flower balls from Hobby Lobby on top of dollar store ice cream cups, topped off with a smoothie straw and pom-pom cherry.

 

Another way to really make this party your own is to add a secondary theme. For example, we paired a “Dolly and Me” theme with the Sugar Shack since it was a little girl’s birthday party. All the guests brought their dolls and we had adorable mini party hats for them to match the confetti party hats for the guests. A photo booth with custom props for the girls and their dolls provided entertainment and photos for thank you-notes later. A Candy Walk game (much like a traditional cake walk), piñata and crafts for the girls kept everyone busy.  

 

Setting up Shop

Our candy display consisted of sixlets, chewy sweet tarts, bubble gum tubes, candy bracelets and pixy stix, and we offered rainbow sherbet and cupcake marshmallows, too! For a non-sweet option, we made Ritz cheese lollipops.

 

The Sugar Shack theme is so versatile, you could do this for a boy or girl, adults or kids — everyone loves some sort of candy,so the options are endless. And sweet stuff comes is every color of the rainbow, allowing you to get really creative. Utilize your local resources, repurpose some of what you already have for decor, and hire professionals for what you need help with and you will surely taste sweet success.