
REAL PARTIES: Carnival Caper Birthday
This contemporary “Carnival Caper” birthday party looks like so much fun – it makes me want to jump right into the pictures!
Commissioned and organized by Bianca of Peekaboo Magazine (an Australian publication) and designed by Sharnel of Australia-based Sharnel Dollar Designs, the fabulous sweets table is filled with lots of bright colors and an aura of whimsy that’s conjured up through fun touches like vintage wind-up toys, creative “risers” created from rolls of circus tickets, and wooden spoons and labels that read “Eat Me!” and “Drink Me“.
Read on for more fun pics and all the details, as told by Sharnel…
“We wanted to recreate the vibrant color and fun feeling that is evoked when at a carnival or circus!
SWEETS TABLE
The sweets table consisted of ice cream cups with chocolate topping, cupcakes and bags of popcorn. For take home treats the children were giving a big top favor box (from Favor Makers) that they could fill up with giant freckles and smarties, gummi bears, fantales, choo choo bars and redskins.
To add a touch of whimsy to the table, we placed replica vintage wind up toys on top of entry ticket “risers”. Our custom backdrop replicates a big top tent and the oversized balloons add visual interest and a strong pop of color.
Activities
We set up a mini sideshow alley with a childhood favourite – the laughing clowns. Traditional games like sack races are a great way to get the children involved. It’s an inexpensive game and has them up and moving!
Photo Credit: The beautiful images were captured by Naomi V Photography
Thanks again to Bianca and Sharnel for sharing this fun party inspiration with us! You can check out more creative ideas from Bianca’s publication: Peekaboo Magazine and from Sharnel’s blog: My Life – My Loves.

- Amazing cake from Jen at A Little Slice of Heaven
- Tin wind up elephant and clown from I Love Parties
- Striped baking cups from Paper Eskimo available at Details, Details
- Custom backdrop by Sharnel Dollar Designs
- Bamboo spoons from Details, Details (custom stamping available too!)
- Circus tent favor boxes from Etsy shop Favor Makers
- Popcorn bags from I Love Parties
- Oversized round balloons from Sharnel Dollar Designs
21 Comments
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Sharnel is sooo talented, her parties are incredible! Love this one!
OMG I’m in love with this dessert table! The presentation of every single elements from the cake to the ice cream is amazing!!!
wow so colorful and beautiful!
Wow! This is amazing. The risers made from ticket rolls are so inventive.
Wow, what a beautiful party. I’m not usually a circus fan, but this was done so thoughtfuly and elegantly! Love it!
I love the colors and everything about this! I’ve always been drawn to big, round balloons as well.
Great job! Everything is so colorful and fun. I love the sweet table the most. Well done.
Love, love, love this party! Love all of the details and the splashes of color all over the party – excellent job Sharnel!
WOW! So simple yet so captivating. Stunning and oh so much fun!!
Love the stickers on the jars and popcorn bags! Get the Look here! Custom labels Great customizable stickers that are great to stick anywhere!
how cute…i love this idea!
Thank you everyone for your comment about this party. I had alot of fun pulling it together.
Sharnel
LOVE THE CLOWNS…
THEY ARE AMAZING!
Gorgeous! The big bulbous balloons are gorgeous. I’m so glad they’re back with a vengeance!
Gosh, this is a stunning party!
What an awesome birthday party. Loved your dessert table. How did you keep the ice cram from melting in the cups? Really liked the ice cream cups.
If you don’t mind me asking, where did you get those laughing clowns?
I am wanting to find some of the cute old fashioned beverage bottles but I really want to stay away from glass since we will have a lot of young guests, any direction on finding some cheap (we have a large guest list) plastic bottles???
We just love this take on the Big Top Theme! We had to feature this party and a few other Circus theme ideas http://www.eventtrender.com/blog/2012/02/the-circus-is-in-town.html
This is so cute!!!! I love everything about it! Where did you get the super cute glass bottles?
I love this carnival style party theme, I just started stocking the cupcake cups on my website, and they are so popular!