Hostess with the Mostess®

This is ADORABLE! I especially love the layered colored chocolates. Thanks for the great inspiration.

oh this is so lovley!! I absolutly adore this! Very inspirational for next birthday parties!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the use of the colors! Wonderful job – AGAIN!!!

i’m doing a little candy buffet in the coming weeks. i found all my clear glass at the dollar tree for $1 a piece. i was surprised how well the pieces there look these days! granted, they’re not pedastool and don’t have lids but i feel like i can get the same feel.

Hi Jen,

I want to use the lollipop display at my grand opening in August, where can I find the white ceramic vase?

I got them at a place in San Diego called Wholesale Flowers, but I don’t see that particular size on their website, so you can get the smaller 5×5x2″ sized ones here:
http://www.jamaligarden.com/pID_22436.asp

or a larger 9×9x2.75″ size (used for the bigger happy face display with the sesame street sign) here:
http://www.wholesaleflowersandsupplies.com/matte_ceramic_dish_garden-9in.html

I also used some of these rectangular ceramic vases for the larger “twister” pops, and those came out well too!
http://www.wholesaleflowersandsupplies.com/matte_window_box-13in.html

hope that helps!

Thanks Jenn for the detailed tips. One question: did you have to refill the buffet or did it last for the party? I’m thinking to do something similar for the same number of quests and want to make sure I buy enough candy.

Absolutely adorable. Your candy buffets make me so happy!

so incredibly fun! my friends need to have children so i can throw parties like this for them!

Thanks Jen!

I love the Candy Buffet. My girls would enjoy one at their parties.

Oh I love the Sixlets!! The bright colors are a nice twist on the Sesame Street theme- which typically think of being more primary. Great job!

Every detail is perfect! I love all the fun, bright colors!

You are amazing!! What a wonderful job and such a cute party idea!!!! The candy buffet is calling my name!!!

Wow, looks like such a fun party! Perfect theme – what kid doesn’t like Sesame Street?

Wow what a great theme.. candy birthday party. So colorful and so inspiring. How much would such a party cost? Will it be out of range kinda affair?

Fabulous! You did an amazing job with the colors and incorporating a childs theme into a posh party. Love it!

This is fabulous! I’m taking notes for my kid’s next birthday party!

Yeah! Found the next theme for my daughter’s birthday. She loves elmo. I’m in love with the color in these pictures! So cute and bright!

What a darling idea! Thanks for sharing.

Another spectacular creation! Your work is truly amazing & inspiring…LOVE it!

Love the different colors of Sixlets and the colored ribbon adds so much! Great job!

What a colorful and tasty display for the young ones and the young at heart!

What is it about Candy Bars that are so eye catching? It seems that they can be worked into any party, any theme and are so tempting as well. The bright Sesame Street Colors in this one are great! I think my favorite part of this one is the tower of cotton candy.

Where did you find the colored tablecloths?

sugar rush!!

I love your site. I’m having a sesame street party for my daughter’s 1st birthday and I’m getting a lot of nice ideas from pictures. I didn’t see any pictures of food table. what kind of food was provided for adults and children?

Mojy –
We just did casual “summer” foods for the guests – cut sandwiches & salads for the adults and hot dogs for the kids!

Mandi –
I rented the tablecloths at Town and Country Rentals -but you should be able to get these colors at any local party rental company!

What type of invitations will be fitting for this themed party?

yuor candy buffet is off the hook i love it kool

This is gorgeous! Divine… Will run it over at Australia Entertains

Hi Marie –

Honestly any type of colorful invite would be great for this type of party! It doesn’t necessarily need to be Sesame Street themed.

I love Polka Do Design’s “Exclusive Collection” – they’re all really colorful. You could do something like one of these:

http://www.polkadotdesign.com/catalog/Polka_Dot_Design_Digital/PDDD-NP57BD8056

or Tiny Prints has great stuff too! Here are some ideas:

http://www.tinyprints.com/product/6637/birthday_party_invitations_layer_cake.html

http://www.tinyprints.com/product/7934/birthday_party_invitations_giggly_gumballs_azalea.html

http://www.tinyprints.com/product/6529/birthday_party_invitations_special_day_chenille.html

Good luck!

http://www.polkadotdesign.com/catalog/Polka_Dot_Design_Digital/PDDD-NP57BD8035

http://www.polkadotdesign.com/catalog/Polka_Dot_Design_Digital/PDDD-NP57BD8050

I absolutely loved every single detail. Where did you find the dog backpacks. My niece is going to have a doggie themed bday party and those bags would fit perfectly. Thanks.

I just planned an awesome engagement party that featured a candy buffet. I love the color splashes with the sesame street theme. We went with more of a classy, sophisticated look carrying a theme of Rasberried, Chocolate and Chandeliers throoughout the buffet. Check out my blog link to see it.

I love the Decorator Sixlets too! I recently found some that look just like white pearls. They are so cool!

okay…great idea….fill these bags with the candy! http://www.snackhappened.com – so cute!!!

We’ve been doing candy buffets for several years, for all types of occasions. Check out our Web site.

omg, i love it!!! can u tell me where u bought the candy jars filled with coated candy chocolate?
thank you

Where can u buy tge Plush Sesame Street characters like Elmo, Grover, and Big Bird?
thank you

Hi Bernie –

I bought all of the characters on Amazon.com – and the candy jars are all from HomeGoods! (The candy itself was from SweetFactory.com)

Cheers,
Jenn

Hi Jenn s.,
Can I buy the candy jars @homegoods online? I need about 20-25 candy jars. Can you reccomend other stores I can buy at a good price. What size sizes jars did you use? Is it cheaper to buy the sesame street plush dolls at amazon? i need 20-25 as well. Can you reccomend favors? Im expecting about 200-250 guest and putting the favors on the tables (10 people on each tables). I want something tio match the sesame street candy jar theme!
thanks
Bernie

Hi Bernie –

Wow – that’s a LOT of guest! Sounds like a fun party

You can’t buy the jars online at HomeGoods because the inventory varies at each HomeGoods so they don’t have an online shopping cart, but these types of jars have been in every single one that I’ve been to across the country! If you do have a store near you, it’s worth the trip to buy them in person, given their pricing – you’ll just need to be patient with the checkout person when they wrap everything up!

Another option is to purchase them at Save-On-Crafts.com. Here’s direct link to that section on their site:
http://www.save-on-crafts.com/apothecary.html

For the plush dolls – Amazon was the cheapest that I found.There are usually different sizes available for each character, so you can choose what works best for your budget.

For the favors, you could do mini gumball machines filled with gumballs in primary colors just like Sesame Street. http://www.beau-coup.com/mini-gumball-machines.htm
*Mini Gumball Machines – $3 each.

Or you could just do one large whirly pop for everyone and attach a Sesame Street themed favor tag or sticker to it. These will run you a little over $1 each: http://www.sweetfactory.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=256&catId=38

Beau-coup also has mini candy jars and candy dispensers for favor packaging, as seen here:
http://www.beau-coup.com/favor-boxes.htm

You might need to create your own labels for these though, or just opt out of the personalization, because most of the designs they offer the come with the packages are wedding or baby-oriented.

Good luck!

Hi Jenn s.,
Yes we are planning my daughter’s 1st bday party and her theme will be sesame street! Thanks for the great ideas. I’m afraid that we dont have HomeGoods in Hawaii. And yes im gonna need 20-25 centerpiecses. I know the apothecary jars is kind of on the higher price. What else can I use to put candies in, but I love that apothecary style ? BTW, what sizes did you use for the jars.
Mahalo,
Bernie

Hi Bernie –
You could alternate and just do the apothecary jars on every other table, then so a more simple footed vase or even just a regular cylinder vase, which is much less expensive, on the other tables.

http://www.save-on-crafts.com/cylindervases.html

You also might want to check out places like Target or Bed Bath and Beyond (if close by) for vases & apothecary jars. sometimes they carry them too! And that could help you save on shipping.

As for the sizes, I used all different ones, ranging from about 8″ – 28″.

good luck!

Hi Jenn,
Thanks for getting back to me! That sound like a good idea to alternate every other table. If I use simple footed vase or a cylinder vase, what can i use for the lid since i’m using them as a centerpiece? any suggestions? I’m planning to use decorated ribbons like how you did to your jars what can I do for the lids?
Thanks

Hi Bernie –

If you need lids for sure, then your best bet is probably to just stick with apothecary jars that come with them. I did leave some of the jars on this candy buffet open and they were fine. If you want to do that – you could just stick a big lollipop into the open jars to give them extra height… almost like a flower coming out of a flower pot

I can’t tell you how much I love your blog! Your ideas are simply amazing and now that I’m a new mom I’m sure I will be referring back to your site often =) I’m planning this theme for my son’s first birthday party. I’ll be visiting southern ca soon and would love to know where you got your linens.

Also, I’m so excited to incorporate feathers into the party because I love what you did for the cirque du bebe themed baby shower. Any ideas on how I can do this with sesame street for my boy as maybe center pieces? I was thinking red feathers with big bird plush and yellow with an elmo. Do you think that feathers would even go?

Thanks so much =)

Hi Jenn,

I’m so glad I ran across your post. I’m doing a sesame street party for my daughter and was concerned about making the party look nice and girly with all the different colors that the characters bring. The questions i have are, how many different tablecloth colors did you use? Did you use two alternating colors or more? And did you use the plush characters as centerpieces? I’m trying to look for pictures of the tables from this party, but I can’t see it on the album.

Lorelei –
You’re right – for some reason there really aren’t any shots of the tables on this party! (except for one from really far away)

But yes, for the sit-down table centerpieces, we had balloon bouquets coming out of blumeboxes (http://www.blumebox.com) plus one plush character sitting next to it. We also sprinkled colorful confetti around the centerpieces. It would also be cute to use big solid-colored circles as “confetti” to help decorate the table cloths even more, similar to the tables in this party: http://www.hostessblog.com/2008/08/real-parties-its-a-twin-thing-baby-shower/

You could cut the circles from construction paper or felt.

The food was buffet style since it was such a large party, so we didn’t have place settings actually set, but tables always look even cuter with the place settings pre-set too.

For the tablecloth colors, I used a different one at each table: red, yellow, pink, and aqua. We only set 4 tables because the rest of the guests used the existing backyard furniture as seating.

Hope that helps!

Cheers,
Jenn

Hi Jenn,

What kind of scoopers did you use for the candy and where can I find them? Some of the apothecary jars looked really skinny to stick you hand in and get the candy out, did you find there was a problem with that? Also I didn’t see what you had the guests put the candy in. Where is a great place to find the tablecloths you used? Thanks so much your ideas are awesome!

Hi Karen –

I actually just used plastic measuring cups for the scoops! (The kind with the handles – and then wrapped ribbon around the handles to make them look cuter.)

We didn’t have any issues with the skinny jars, but you can definitely use tongs as the “scoopers” for those if the opening is too narrow. Actually, now that I think about it there was ONE jar that was pretty skinny and it served more of a decorative purpose since several of the other large jars had the same type of candy already. To utilize skinny jars, thinks like candy sticks or other skinny lollipops are a good idea.

Here’s a great place to order both scoops and tongs:
http://www.scoops-scoops.com/store/item_category.cfm?CategoryID=2
(The clear versions will be the least expensive)

For the tablecloths – we rented those from a local party rental company called Town and Country Rentals. Any similar party rental place should have the same colors available though – they’re pretty standard for most places. Good luck!

Hello,

Also, as a suggestion on the apothecary jars if there is a Michaels craft store in your area you can check there. I always google “Michaels Coupons” before heading over there they are always easy to find online. I just bought one of these jars that was 19.99 and got it for 50% off w/the coupon.

For you Hawaii people looking for apothecary jars, ace hardware and crafts has them from $6.99 up $17.99 all shapes and sizes. Hope this helps

Hi Jenn,
what type of ribbon did you use for the candy jars, and where can I find it?

Thank you,
Lorelei

Hi Lorelei –
I just used fabric polka dot ribbon from Michaels – they have it in several different colors

Wow…you’re work is amazing! I showed it to my daughter who is already 12 and loved it. Kind of gave me an idea for her 16th birthday. I know it’s a long, long way but seeing this candy buffet you did gave me that “bright idea” moment. Probably it won’t be Sesame Street theme bec she’ll be 16 then

Beautiful!

You can also find apothecary jars at craft stores and stores like Ross,…probably Marshall’s and TJMaxx also. I live in Hawaii and got most of my jars from Ross from 4.99-11.99.

Hi Jenn! I came across your website while searching for ideas for my son’s upcoming sesame street themed birthday and just love it!! I have pulled some of the ideas that you used here an cannot wait to put it all together. I am working with a local bakery in Houston to mimic the cake that was pictured in your facebook album and was curious to know if the building’s frosting was red? In some of the pictures it looks like a bright red frosting and in others it tends to look more like a light chocolate. My baker had a little concern with the red frosting; she mentioned it does not taste very well, so I thought I would reach out and see if you could help! Thanks

What a beautiful party!!

Hi Jennifer –
So glad you like the party! The frosting actually was a deep, bright orange…it still tasted pretty good though! Hope that helps

Awesome work. I am in the process of planning a Mothers day Tea for mothers and daughters. I would like to do a candy buffet, but had a few questions and one suggestion.

1. How do you manage or oversee a candy buffet so everyone is able to enjoy and have a fair share or go overboard.
2. Do you keep refilling the candy jars as the day progress.
3. How do you keep it looking pretty once the sugar fairies have visited
One Suggestion- I have been checking with the local salvation army for jars and containers. I have gotten some really nice (thick glass) ones for next to nothing.
Thank you and may your work keep briniging smiles to many.

Thanks for the great ideas! I’m linking to this post tomorrow (4/22) at Dollar Store Crafts!

So fun and beautiful!! I love the bright colors!! We do a lot of Candy Bars and it is always fun to see different takes on them … I simply love this!

ADORABLE! I am getting ready to do a candy buffet for my son’s 1st Birthday party, and this is an awesome inspiration! YOU ARE SO TALENTED! A couple of questions that I have thought about that you may be able to help me with…. How do you manage/regulate the candy buffet so it stays presentable?? What is the proper ediquette when say the first kids come in and wipe out all the suckers, etc., and mix up the perfectly layered colored sixlets before other guests arrive?? LOL! HELP!

Bridgett & Jessica –

Since your questions were similar, I’ll answer both of you at the same time

To keep the candy buffet looking nice at a kids party, it’s best to have someon “open it up” for eating at the end of the party – or whenever you’re ready for the kids to get started on it. Don’t hand out the favor bags until you’re ready for them to pick out the candy. Also – when you do open it up, have someone there to help regulate it. (And usually when parents are present at the party – especially for very young ones – they’ll go through the buffet with their kids, which is what happened at this party.)

Surprisingly enough, at the party where this buffet was featured, the kids were really good about not taking much from the buffet until after lunch, activities, and cupcakes.

To keep the buffet looking nice though, I do recommend replenishing it as long as there’s leftovers. When you run out, you run out and it’s fine. Candy buffets are more of an initial “showstopper”, and people understand when they start to get ravaged

And Bridgett – as for the layered sixlets – I basically just took the lid off of that one last Since there were also sixlets in several other jars, no one seemed to mind!

Cheers,
Jenn

Jenn, thanks so much for answering my questions! And you definitely gave me insight on the proper way to manage the candy buffet! So, thanks so much!

One more question, what do you use material/fabric for the backdrop for the candy/dessert buffets? It appears to be some sort of board? that sits on the back of the table?? Any insight on what is best to use for those? THANKS AGAIN!

where are thes super cute kids table and chair set from? i love it!!!

Elaine –
The kids tables & chairs are from IKEA – from the MAMMUT collection (very inexpensive!)

Bridgett –
Regarding the backdrops, you honestly don’t necessarily need a backdrop – but if you do want to make one you can use a big piece of plywood and cover it with gift wrap or cool fabric or attach the fabric or paper directly to a background wall. You can also use panel curtains (IKEA actually has some great affordable options in that dept as well!).

Jenn – I just came across this site and it’s just awesome. I love the ideas. The pictures are great..really capture the moment. I am actually planning a sesame street birthday party and I was wondering where you bought the characters (Elmo, Big Bird) from? That’s the ideal size I’m looking for.

I didn’t see any other sesame street theme party besides elmo and cookie monster exclusively on the site. If you did feature it, can please refer me to it? Thanks!

Hi Natasha –

I bought all of the characters on Amazon!

I never posted all the text details of this party – got so caught up with everything else – BUT I do have the full photo gallery on the HWTM Facebook page. Here’s the link: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=86863&id=17887528943&page=2

Hope that helps!
Jenn