The day we loaded our moving truck in San Diego we held a little last minute party. A play date for the kids with cardboard boxes, duct tape and a 26 foot moving truck.
Having a party with kids the day you move is awesome because everything they could get into is nicely packed away. We didn’t leave out a single toy, just packing supplies, balloons and a big bag of bright balls. We moved most of the furniture outside to make a good play zone. Although the party was not perfect, having a last hurrah with their friends helped my kids adjust to leaving our home.
We sent out hand striped invitations the week prior and striped white favor bags that held little goodbye presents for each of their friends. I bought four rolls of bright neon duct tape (find online here) and used it to decorate the room. Words were traced onto the tape and cut out to add a bit of festive flair. The duct tape was great to use, it took about three minutes to take everything down once our friends left for the day.
The party was in the am so I bought doughnuts (easy since all our kitchen pans were packed) and I made sure to have extra white bags on hand for the left over doughnuts to be taken home. Sparkling Izzie sodas with straws from Sweet Lulu always look nice and bright for a party. The dotted coasters are from the Martha Stewart Crafts, they lent a perfect contrast to the straight duct tape lines laid out on all our tables.
As a final sweet goodbye, I had each of the kids write out a note to my twins about their time together. We read them out loud after leaving and I am saving them for when they are older so the kids can remember who some of their earliest friends were.
The streamers on the walls and ceilings were my favorite touches of the day. I was surprised at how easily the duct tape stuck and how quickly it came right down. Even if you are not moving, the bright ease of this decor could be perfect for any kids party.
Before everyone left we had a bit of fun in the moving truck. Chasing plastic balls and watching them bounce around the huge, open interior. I am pretty sure this was the best thing that has ever happened for our toddlers! Instead of a bounce house at your next kids party why not try a moving truck?!? They are cheap to rent for the day and you will be astonished at how much they love it.
Photography by Jackie Wonders.
blessings.
29 Comments
And So I Whisper
June 21, 2011 at 6:07 amThis looks like real fun. Will definitely show it to my kids… we have moved a few times in the last couple of years.
Rebecca
June 21, 2011 at 7:08 amThis turned out really cute, and what an awesome gift to the kids before saying goodbye!
Lisa
June 21, 2011 at 7:26 amAwww! I love this! I don’t know how you come up with such creative parties haha… I’m glad I have your blog to read and be inspired by!! :)
Hope you’re having a wonderful week!
Lisa
Jackie | Sweet Little Thrills
June 21, 2011 at 8:25 amIncredible ideas + execution! Love the colors, the simplicity of the elements you used, and of course, the photography. Good luck on the big move!
Gloria
June 21, 2011 at 11:36 amif only moving day could always be this much fun! hope unpacking goes just as smoothly :-)
Lena
June 21, 2011 at 12:24 pmYou guys are just too cool! A moving party is the best idea I’ve heard in ages.
colores
June 21, 2011 at 12:47 pmcolourful party! love it! You have always such nice proposals!!!
jenn
June 21, 2011 at 4:21 pmI LOVE this! What a great way to celebrate a usually really tiring and sad event. I hope they move went well!
Giulia
June 21, 2011 at 5:35 pmLove it! I’ve heard of having a party once the house is empty, but not an actual moving party. Did you put the duct tape on the cake? did you pack your platters after the party?
Melanie
June 21, 2011 at 9:02 pmI can’t believe you pulled this off while you were moving. Only you would think to throw one last party. I love the use of the colored duct tape! Very cute.
Matt
June 22, 2011 at 6:09 amI can’t believe I agreed to it.
[email protected]
June 22, 2011 at 4:48 amI LOVE the idea!! But I think my husband would have killed me if we had tried this in Morocco! Heehee! Maybe it would have worked if I had promised him enough cake and donuts!
three palette cake stand | A Subtle Revelry
June 22, 2011 at 6:06 am[…] an effort to reduce and reuse before we moved, I made this three tiered wooden stand for our moving party to hold the cake and treats. It was an easy project and looked bright and pretty. I would love to […]
very married
June 22, 2011 at 6:10 amwhat a great way to make moving a positive experience!
LisaDay
June 22, 2011 at 9:06 amDuck tape as a decoration. I love it. What a great party. As always, I LOVE your site.
LisaDay
chelsea
June 22, 2011 at 9:07 amOnly you would do something like this Vicki! ;) Moving causes enough anxiety and stress, for me, let alone throwing a party for it! But you pulled it off! You work best in complete chaos! That’s your style and it suits you well! You’re great at your job!
nancy pfeifer
June 28, 2011 at 10:59 pmwow!!! super creative!!! I love it!!
alli
June 29, 2011 at 7:27 amthis is adorable!
best of office weekend roundup 72 | Shoplet Office Supplies Blog
November 18, 2011 at 10:47 am[…] Duct tape decorations for a moving party! Best idea. More pics at A Subtle Revelry […]
a punchy bright backdrop | a subtle revelry | the art of merrymaking | D.I.Y. party
May 22, 2012 at 2:28 pm[…] After that, it is all about the placement- straight lines, a scattered confetti look and even simple words are all easy to create with this project. Have fun bringing a WOW with this bright punchy detail. (Also, another easy peasy way to make a party bright). […]
merrymaking 6.1.2012 | a subtle revelry | the art of merrymaking
June 1, 2012 at 5:37 am[…] Last year at this time we hosted a party in a moving truck and took off for Reno (crazy!). Tweet « lava cakes and paper clip […]
Movin' Time! {Party Inspiration} - Storkie Blog
August 8, 2012 at 3:43 pm[…] from Top Left: Cook Kosher, Cook Kosher, A Subtle Revelry, On To Baby, On To Baby, A Subtle Revelry, On To […]
40 DIY Duct Tape Craft Tutorials - by www.slapdashmom.com
November 1, 2012 at 7:42 pm[…] Tape Purse 5. Duct Tape Purses With Flowers 6. Water Bottle Covers 7. Covered Organizing Bins 8. Duct Tape Party + Streamers 9. Flower Canvas 10. Duct Tape Craft Station 11. Duct Tape Rosette Wreath 12. Covered Toddler Shoes […]
Bright walls + weekend links | a subtle revelry
March 22, 2013 at 10:20 am[…] I contemplate another moving party, here are links to make your weekend a little more […]
25 Cool Duct Tape Crafts
April 11, 2013 at 12:00 am[…] Duct Tape Party Decor {duct tape} ~ This party features a farewell play date/party using cardboard boxes, duct tape, balloons and an […]
A Subtle Revelry | a punchy bright backdrop
December 6, 2014 at 2:51 pm[…] After that, it is all about the placement- straight lines, a scattered confetti look and even simple words are all easy to create with this project. Have fun bringing a WOW with this bright punchy detail. (Also, remember this easy peasy way to make a party bright). […]
A Subtle Revelry | merrymaking 6.1.2012
December 6, 2014 at 2:52 pm[…] Last year at this time we hosted a party in a moving truck and took off for Reno […]
A Subtle Revelry | Bright walls + weekend links
December 7, 2014 at 1:46 am[…] I contemplate another moving party, here are links to make your weekend a little more […]
Sorprender con globos-Surprise with balloons | A Kiss of Colour
May 19, 2015 at 8:19 am[…] Happy Day, A Subtle Reverly, Oh Happy […]