A Polar Express Themed Birthday Extravaganza

As the year draws to a close, we couldn’t help but reflect on Max’s special day—his birthday is always such a joyful event that we cherish. Sharing his birthday around Christmas is truly magical, and every year we try to make it even more special. Since Max was born near the holiday season, we’ve embraced the festive spirit, and we love celebrating his big day with loved ones. Max always reminds us of how lucky he is to have his birthday so close to Christmas, and we couldn’t agree more!

This year’s celebration was a continuation of the Polar Express theme that began with his first birthday. The party was filled with the same magic and warmth that we’ve come to expect, except for one exciting new twist: instead of the snow globe experience, we introduced a Build Your Own Bear station from Tanner Haus! It was such a fun and memorable addition, allowing the children to create their own furry friends. The excitement was palpable as they picked out their bear skins, stuffed them, and added accessories, making each creation truly their own.

The party featured an incredible inflatable play area decked out with holiday-themed designs, from colorful slides to candy-cane obstacles and Christmas decor. It added an extra layer of excitement for the kids, perfectly complementing the Polar Express atmosphere and making the celebration a memorable experience for everyone.

As always, we had a hot cocoa station to stay in line with the Polar Express theme. Guests enjoyed all the fixings, with whipped cream, marshmallows, and a variety of toppings to make their drinks as festive as they liked.

Of course, no Polar Express party would be complete without the trackless train! This year, the train was electric, quiet, and exhaust-free, which made for a more pleasant experience for everyone, especially the little ones who loved riding it again. Max was worried that the older kids might not want to ride this year, but it turned out that everyone, big and small, had a blast!

Another tradition we kept this year was decorating Gingerbread Houses. With almost 60 children and their siblings in attendance, we opted for family-style houses this time. The premade gingerbread kits from Target made things easier, and I used a frosting recipe I found from Courtney Whitmore at Pizzazzerie to label the houses. It took quite a bit of work, seven batches of frosting and a couple of hours—but it was well worth it. The kids had so much fun adding candy to their houses and showing off their creations.

One of the highlights of the party was the candy bar, complete with cute signage from Michael’s. It was a big hit, and I think the sugar rush lasted well into the evening! In addition to the sweet treats, we also had a refreshing drink and savory potato snacks that were perfect for guests to snack on throughout the party. The mix of sweet and savory offerings kept everyone satisfied and energized for all the fun activities!

The balloons, of course, were as festive as ever! Balloon Babe of Arizona worked her magic, creating whimsical Christmas-themed balloons that decorated the venue inside and out. The fun balloon installations added such a vibrant touch to the party and helped create a warm, festive atmosphere.

The cake from Jewels Bakery was absolutely spectacular! Gluten and dairy-free, yet it tasted just as delicious as it looked. The cake was the perfect mix of fun and flavor, and it was the perfect way to cap off such a magical day!

And last but certainly not least, As always, the catering was top-notch, thanks to Benedict’s Catering. The spread was delicious and included a variety of options for both kids and adults. Since the party was after school, we featured gluten-free grilled cheese sandwiches, hamburgers, and chicken salad for the parents, perfect for recharging after all the fun!

Special Thanks to Our Incredible Vendors:

• Catering: Benedict’s Catering

• Photography: Dawn and Ashley

• GF Bakery: Jewels Bakery

• Balloons: Balloon Babe

• Bear Experience: Tanner Haus

It was another year of joy, laughter, and cherished memories. But hands down, the most enchanting part of this year’s celebration was the Build Your Own Bear station, which took over the role that the snow globe had last year. The children were absolutely delighted with the opportunity to craft their own bears, and it was wonderful to see them so engaged in the experience.

Thank you to everyone who helped make Max’s Polar Express-themed birthday party so magical! Here's to many more birthdays filled with love and fun!