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When it came time to celebrate Leo’s first birthday, I knew I wanted something unique, fun, and—of course—delicious. That’s how the Holy Macaroni First Birthday theme was born! From playful pasta-inspired treats to adorable custom decor, this party was full of creative details that made it extra special.

The Menu: Pasta-Inspired Treats

What’s a Holy Macaroni party without some seriously fun food? Instead of serving actual pasta (though that would be adorable too!), I put a sweet spin on classic Italian dishes:

• Spaghetti & Meatball Cupcakes – These were a showstopper! I piped buttercream “spaghetti” onto cupcakes, topped them with a chocolate brownie “meatball,” and drizzled strawberry syrup on top to resemble marinara. You can also sprinkle white chocolate “Parmesan” to make them them look extra realistic!

• Meatball Donut Holes – I took chocolate donut holes, and piped vanilla icing to mimic spaghetti. Each one was served with a tiny fork for extra cuteness! Shop all supplies here!

The Details: Custom Decor & Favors

No themed party is complete without thoughtful details!

• Custom Placemat – I had a fun printable placemat made by PenPrateStudios that tied the theme together perfectly. It was a fun and functional addition to the tablescape!

• Chef Boyardee Party Favors – Keeping with the pasta theme, I put together the cutest favors using mini Chef Boyardee cans. They were an adorable (and on-theme) way to send guests home with a little something special.

Pasta Smash: A Fun Twist on the Cake Smash!

Instead of the traditional cake smash, we went full pasta mode with a pasta smash! Watching my little one dive into a plate of spaghetti (captured beautifully by Modern Motherhood Photography) was pure joy. The messy, squishy, noodle-filled fun made for the most adorable photos and a memory we’ll never forget!

To make it even more special, I created a custom first birthday wooden spoon just for the smash. I grabbed a wooden spoon from Dollar Tree and used my LaserPecker to engrave his name on it—such a cute keepsake!

• Hand-Painted Birthday Plate – I also painted a ceramic plate for Leo that he can use for his birthday cake every year. It’s a special keepsake that will be part of our family celebrations for years to come!

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