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My sister-in-law Beverly turned 60 this year, and I was honored to work with her husband Ray and our other sister-in-law Kathy to plan a surprise luncheon for friends and family. Our theme was It’s Great to “Bee” 60.

It's Great to Bee 60 Surprise Birthday Party by The Party Teacher

Our inspiration was Melissa from Silly Bee’s Chickadee’s birthday bash for her mother. (View her terrific party here.)

We started with The TomKat Studio’s Bumble Bee printables, which set the tone for all our other choices. Toni from TomKat was so accommodating as our party details changed and she had to edit the invitation several times! At the last minute, I had to create a menu and signage and did my best to coordinate with their beautiful work.

Bee Party by The Party Teacher - Invitation

Ray scouted our location at The Commons restaurant at the Stone Mountain Golf Club. It was lovely to let someone else prepare all the food and worry only about the dessert table and decorations.

Bee Party by The Party Teacher - Restaurant

Bee Party Place Settings

For table settings, we used 12 x 12 scrapbook paper “placemats” in a variety of yellow, black and white patterns. The center of each table featured a yellow tin pail that I planted with a yellow Dahlia and embellished with two cupcake toppers.

Bee Party by The Party Teacher - Menu and Place Setting

Bee Party by The Party Teacher - Menu

Bee Party by The Party Teacher - Flowers

Gifts and Favor Table

On a table near the entrance, we provided a large basket for gifts, topped with yellow ribbon. On either side of the basket, we featured photos of Beverly from one month to age 18. We collected black and white frames from Hobby Lobby and Tuesday Morning. The table also included a sign inviting guests to share “best wishes, advice, or a favorite memory with Beverly.” We provided The TomKat Studio’s blank labels for the notes.

Bee Party by The Party Teacher - Gift Table

Bee Party by The Party Teacher - photos of guest of honor

Bee Party by The Party Teacher - Write Wishes

Party Favors

Finally, the gift and favors table (it was really big!) also offered guests small jars of local honey to take home. Each jar was tied with ribbon (you can never have too much ribbon!) and one of The TomKat Studio’s thank you notes.

Bee Party by The Party Teacher - Honey Party Favors

Bee Party Dessert Table

We hung the happy birthday banner above the dessert table. My SIL choose the cake from he Columbus (GA) Corner Bakery; these are the best tasting cakes I’ve ever had. We rounded out the sweets with Sixlets, Lemonheads, and homemade brownie pops and lemon squares. To finish the table décor, we added a letter B and I affixed the party invitation to a 99-cent frame (since Beverly had never seen it).

Bee Party by The Party Teacher - Bee Banner

Bee Party by The Party Teacher - Dessert Table

Bee Party by The Party Teacher - Birthday Cake

Bee Party by The Party Teacher - Brownie Pops

Bee Party by The Party Teacher - Lemon Squares

Bee Party by The Party Teacher - Lemonheads

Bee Party by The Party Teacher - Sixlets

Bee Party by The Party Teacher - Letter B

But for all the yummy food, cute printables, and decorations, the best part of day was how surprised Beverly was, and how honored she felt by the tributes of her friends and family.

Bee Party by The Party Teacher - Beverly

Bee Party by The Party Teacher - Tributes

Bee Party by The Party Teacher - Guest of honor with baby portrait

Vendor Credits

  • Party styling and photography: The Party Teacher
  • Printables: The TomKat Studio
  • Letter B: Hobby Lobby
  • Frames: Hobby Lobby and Tuesday Morning
  • Scrapbook paper: Hobby Lobby and Michael’s
  • Ribbon: WalMart
  • Honey Jars: Michael’s
  • Cupcake wrappers: Michael’s
  • Yellow centerpiece pails: Target


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TPT 14 Party Planning Cheat Sheets 11-23-1

Party planning should be fun— not stressful!

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These are the exact 14 worksheets I use to plan all my parties!

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TPT 14 Party Planning Cheat Sheets 11-23-1

Don't miss my FREE Party Planning Cheat Sheets!

Don't miss my FREE party planning cheat sheets.

These are the exact 14 worksheets I use to plan all my parties!

Have fun planning your party (and stop worrying about what you're forgetting).

Plus, you'll get all the latest parties, tutorials, and discounts from The Party Teacher.

You have successfully subscribed! Thanks for joining the party!