5.11.2016

Sentimental & Sweet 1st Birthday Gift

Happy Hump Day readers!

I hope this post finds you well. I am finally starting to feel rejuvenated and refreshed after a crazy, hectic few weeks. Last night, when I got home from work, I immediately changed into my pajamas and enjoyed a good dose of me time...and an early bedtime! It is paying off!

Today I am excited to share an idea for a sentimental, sweet 1st birthday gift.


As most of you know, Erin (of Attention to Darling) and her husband Ryan are some of our very best friends. We were among the first to find out about their pregnancy and among the first to meet their bundle of joy, Sullivan Louise, when she was just 4 days old. Being that Bryce and I are both only children, we look to Miss Sullivan, or "Sully" as a niece of our own and love her dearly.

That being said, when her first birthday rolled around, we knew we wanted to gift her with something that would be special and stand the test of time.

I remembered an idea I had first read about on the blog Pink Preppy Lilly Lover. (Trish no longer blogs, but you can find her on Instagram here.)

When Trish's daughter Stella turned 1, she shared that the girls in  her family were always given a set of cake servers as a first birthday present. Cake is at the forefront of life's biggest celebrations, so by providing this as a first birthday gift, it is a present that a young lady can enjoy throughout her life. I absolutely loved this idea!

So, when Sully's birthday approached, I knew that would be the perfect gift for her.

I purchased the Kate Spade Grace Avenue Cake Serving Set from Nordstrom. I thought the bow detail was perfect for the preppy baby girl!


I took it to Things Remembered for engraving. If you have a Things Remembered in your area and haven't checked it out yet, be sure you do! They offer and array of personalized gifts, as well as same day engraving services which are especially convenient if you're a procrastinator like me!

I chose the elegant Balmoral font. The server reads: 
Happy 1st Birthday, Sullivan! 
May this be the first of many 
celebrations honoring you! 
We love you! 
Allie and Bryce

On the knife, I opted to engrave it with her full name and date of birth: 
Sullivan Louise Phillips 
April 19, 2015

Finally, in her card I highlighted the milestones ahead that I hope will provide her opportunities to pull out our gift with fond memories: double-digits 10, sweet 16, wild 21, first holy communion, graduation, and someday even a fairy tale wedding!


Sully was so cute unwrapping her gifts and I was glad to get this special moment with her before all the party festivities the next day!


The Momofuku Milk Bar inspired cake (recipe here) was as delicious as it was cute!


Sully certainly enjoyed her personal sized cake...there was little smashing and lots of eating!




I'd say the servers got put to great use!

What are some of your go-to gifts for the special little ones in your life?

Do you have a favorite gift, that you still enjoy today, from childhood?

Have a great day!
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