Welcome to the Birthday Princess Kingdom—an extraordinary place where BP dreams and celebrations are shared! I love hearing all the fabulous ways you are making your own brand of magic happen. Enjoy reading about BP celebrations around the country and viewing the BPs caught on film. And to send us your own celebration inspirations—click here.

Birthday Princess K.W. in Florida

I grew up with a strong religious background where it would have been considered improper to give myself a party. But after I read The Birthday Princess Handbook, I decided that it would be okay to host my own party. I love small gatherings and all the preparations. I also wanted to treat my five best friends. I sent invitations that said the birthday princess was having a birthday luncheon. I decided on my theme—spring—and went to work!

I made a tablecloth of light ocean blue with pink flowers and tied pink netting around the chairs. I spray-painted pink doilies to go under the clear glass plates. I made a yellow checked runner and placed a bunny dressed in green chiffon with pale green wings in the center. 

I wanted everyone to have a take-home gift so I got a jar of body butter for each of my friends and placed them in pink netting with pink shreds tied with blue and yellow ribbon. They were part of the centerpiece. I put pink and white netting around the chandelier and hung balloons from the lights. I made a large cake with pink, chocolate, and vanilla layers and chocolate ganache covered in pale yellow buttercream frosting. I made a pink fondant bow with streamers for the cake. I served peach belinis and dipped the champagne glasses in pink sugar. For pre-party I served drinks with Godiva chocolate and special Virginia peanuts. I had my husband take a group picture.

Later, my husband came back and played “Happy Birthday to You” while my friends sang and I blew out the candles on my cake. My husband took more pictures while I opened my presents and passed each one around with the card for all to see.

Our conversation for lunch started with an explanation of why I did this. I told my friends about The Birthday Princess Handbook. I did give a birthday speech where I told them how much I cherish them and they got all teary eyed. We all talked about memorable birthdays—good and bad. From there we went to “girl things” and we talked until 4:30. You know how girls are no matter what their ages!

Birthday Princess M.E. in Connecticut

Having a February birthday in New England is often a cold and dreary ordeal. To make things cheery, I gathered together a few of my talented friends (many of whom are playwrights) to read one of my favorite plays: Under Milkwood by Dylan Thomas. It was not important that the others knew I was turning a year older. What was important was to be among creative, intelligent, lively spirits to share a rare piece of literature filled with beautiful language and eccentric characters. I made a huge vat of vegetarian stew and my husband built a crackling fire before which we read our preassigned parts. Then we ate.

A sympathetic friend revealed the motive behind the event by bringing a delicious cheesecake from a local gourmet market. So my secret was out. Candles, birthday song . . . oh well, sometimes they can't be avoided. But the camaraderie of like-minded souls was the perfect antidote for the inevitable.