Turning a beloved children’s book into a party is a work of art. Alexis Allen, the professional who made this gathering happen, says you can do it, too!
Wildly Heartfelt
If bedtime stories are, or were, a ritual at your house, you know Max. In Maurice Sendak’s “Where the Wild Things Are,” he dresses in a wolf suit and tells his mother, “I’ll eat you up!” Sent to bed without dinner that night, his room becomes a forest by the sea where a boat sails him to the kingdom of the Wild Things. There, Max tames the ferocious beasts who crown him King of the Wild Things. Enthroned, he sends the beasts to bed hungry but, feeling homesick, sails home to find his dinner in his room, still warm. The tale speaks to a child’s anger and mastery of fear, as well as to parents’ unconditional love and how food helps quell “the beast.”
The Perfect Kid’s Party Theme
The 1963 kiddie lit classic turned out to be the perfect theme for a children’s birthday party. Alexis Allen Co., event experts who curate weddings, fundraisers, mitzvahs and birthdays, planned it. “It’s a marriage of everything I love. Business, creativity, and people,” says Alexis. She founded the five-person firm two-and-a-half years ago after working on events for nonprofits for many years.
Staying true to Sendak’s text and illustrations, lead planner Meredith Roteman got to work. Her earthy tones turned the spacious Rialto Suite at Hotel Monaco into a mystical forest. The elementary school-aged guests explored it gleefully.
All About the Décor
The backdrop for the setting was a large drape featuring a beautiful forest image. Lush plants and faux greenery from Green Sinner layered in front of the backdrops created a three dimensional effect. The “wild” forest theme continued with a rustic driftwood table draped with greens, a faux fur runner, and more. Shimmering leaf-patterned placemats and lively dinnerware added a sense of fantasy. The kids quickly found their places on cushy fleece pillows around the candlelit scene.
A Buffet for Kiddie Kings
The buffet offered healthy options. Cheeseburger croissants, ham and cheese tea sandwiches, sun butter and jelly pinwheels, and French toast sticks were tempting! Colorful crudites in stemless acrylic wine glasses provided crunch. And tons of sweets. There were three tall, frosted layer cakes. One sported a gold crown. One dripped with greenery. The third resembled a tree trunk with a hidey hole. Each looked almost too good to eat, as did cake pops inspired by Sendak’s Wild Things and their king. Similarly appealing, cookies decorated with “I’ll Eat You Up” and “King of the Wild Things” were gobbled up quickly. The kids toasted with apple juice served in small glass milk bottles with fun paper straws, and dug in.
Not everyone can afford a professional planner. But a limited budget shouldn’t rule out a magical event, if you’re willing do the work.
Elaborate children’s parties are trending. Perhaps driven by a social media environment for the photo ops, many parents aim high for their kids’ parties. Alexis, herself the mom of one of the guests, says with humor, “At the end of the day, the kids just want to run around.”
A DIY Approach to Kid’s Party Planning
Not everyone can afford a professional planner like Alexis, but a limited budget shouldn’t rule out a magical event if you’re willing do the work, she adds. DIYers might borrow some tips from Meredith, who spent a month bringing the Wild Things party to life using imagination, reliable vendors, and lots of spread sheets.
The first step any special event is researching and conceptualizing the vision and sharing it with vendors. “It’s great because everyone is creative and an expert in their field,” says Meredith of the bakers, chefs, floral designers, and others who provide themed invitations, decorations, refreshments, linens, tableware, favors, seating, and other essentials.
Planning a party like this takes 15-30 hours, but setup only takes a few hours because the planners coordinate the logical order in which vendors need to come: “There’s incredible detail on the backend, so the vision comes to life seamlessly” Alexis says. Of course, sometimes “stuff “happens, which is why they always have a backup plan and are ready to pivot and problem solve, she adds.
Meredith measures the success of an event by the guests’ level of engagement, which at this Wild Things party included using the decorations for an impromptu pillow fight. “Something can look gorgeous, Meredith says, “but if the logistics aren’t in place for guests to relax and enjoy themselves, that can make or break an event.”
Story by Susan Fleming Morgans
Photography by Laura Petrilla
Production by Alexis Allen and Meredith Roteman, Alexis Allen Co.
Florals by Green Sinner
Linens by Party Mosaic
Rentals by The 1978 Collection
Desserts by Bella Christie’s Sweet Boutique
Cookies by Becca Bakes Cookies
Acrylic Tabletop Displays by SpeedPro Pittsburgh North
Food by Common Plea Catering
Shot on location at Hotel Monaco
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