First Birthday Centerpieces - Mickey and Minnie

I thought long and hard on how to display our twins first year photos in a glimpse. Something fast, cheap, and easily reusable. I also needed centerpieces for our tables so thought I would combine the two to save even more money. Fresh flowers are expensive (and die - lets be realistic). So I decided to come up with my own flower pieces!

They were easy to make and assemble - and the best part is a lot of it can be reused for future parties! Read on to find out how!

1) Head out to your locate craft store for a few supplies. Keep in mind I have twins - so my list is for two of everything. Also - a lot of these supplies you may already have around your house!

• Two Medium sizes terracotta pots ($2.99 each)
• Two white styrofoam balls to fit inside ($3.99 each)
• Bag of white shredded paper ($1.99 - or shred your own at home)
• Bag of wooden skewers (the kind for kabobs $1.00)
• Red Spray Paint ($7.99)
• White Acrylic Paint ($1.99)
• Paint Brush
• Mickey Mouse head cookie cutter
• Bag of Little bows ($1.99 each)
• Two large White buttons ($1.99 each)
• 12 photos (one from each month)
• Ribbon
• Construction paper
• Glue

2) Spray paint your pots red, let dry, and apply a second coat or third if needed.

3) Once dry, paint white polka dots on one of them for "Minnie". Glue the two large buttons on the "Mickey" one.

4) Place the white Styrofoam balls in the pots.

5) Cut 24 Mickey Heads out in whatever colors you decided to use. 12 for Minnie and 12 for Mickey.

6) Cut photos of the baby at each month old (1-12) into circles and glue onto the Mickey and Minnie head cutouts.

7) Apply or draw the number old they are on one ear. For Minnie - apply a small bow to each one.

8) Glue or Tape the heads onto the wooden skewers. Place the skewers into the styro balls to make an arrangement.

9) Take the shredded paper and cover the parts of the balls showing.

10) Wrap a piece of ribbon around Minnie if you would like that added little tough.

Hint: I placed small paper plates under mine to avoid the pots scratching my counters and tables.

Trying to save $ and reuse the items?

• Remove the buttons and spray the pots black then reuse this spring/summer outside.
• Reuse the shredded paper in your next gift basket to someone.
• Pop the mickey heads off the skewers and place in their baby books or scrapbooks!