After a memorable year of traveling to new places around the world, I decided that for my birthday this year it would be refreshing to stay right in my hometown of Kamloops, British Columbia. We often hear the terms “staycation” or “holistay” thrown around as alternatives to save money and decompress without going too far from home, but that doesn’t have to mean you can’t be treated to an unforgettable and Instagram-worthy good time right in your own backyard.
The first step to throwing the perfect celebration is to pick your location. I knew I wanted to stay local for my birthday, but thought it would be fun to still have a mini getaway. I found some great options around Kamloops on Airbnb—this is something anyone who lives near a major city should look into. Whether you’re hosting an intimate birthday bash with your closest friends or throwing a blowout bachelor or bachelorette party, finding a nearby house or apartment to rent can be an exciting alternative to using your own home.
The Black Box Container Home is a stunning Airbnb hosted by local songwriter and musician Cathi Marshall. It’s obvious from photographs that this is a uniquely beautiful property, but what really makes it so special is its low footprint it leaves on the environment. Created with help from the company HONOMOBO, Cathi and her husband have upcycled a shipping container into a modern and luxurious home for them and their guests.
For the homeowners, opting for a container home rather than a traditional home offered a chance to downsize while doing better for the environment. It made for a simpler life with more time for family, friends, and enjoying the great outdoors. But for guests, it is a contemporary retreat unlike anything many of us have ever seen. Featuring floor to ceiling windows, world-class furnishings, and a breathtaking outdoor entertainment space, guests feel as if they’ve been transported to something out of a movie whether they’re from the Kamloops area or visiting from afar. Needless to say, I knew as soon as I found this listing that it would provide the perfect backdrop for my party.
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- Cake by Cocoa Dot Cakes and Flowers by Fern & Frond Floral Studio
Next, it was time to find some local vendors who could help me pull together the right aesthetic for the occasion. For this birthday, I opted to throw it back to my youth and have a sprinkle-themed celebration. And as it turns out, there are some awesome vendors around Kamloops who were able to help make it happen.
I started off with contacting local photographer Katie Courson to see if she was available to capture the birthday magic and she was! Katie is a Kamloops-based photographer that creates beautiful soft shots and I knew I had to ask her to be involved with my party. You can too!
Fern & Frond is a local floral studio that designs the perfect arrangements for any size party—from small and exclusive like mine, to the largest and most lavish weddings in Kamloops. Whether you opt for bright colors that will pop against your tablescape or a wall of greenery for photo opportunities, incorporating some fresh flowers into the decor will add an extra special touch to any gathering.
Though they were once only featured at children’s birthday parties, balloons are now a staple at any age thanks to social media and the return of instant cameras. Paper Unicorn truly helped me bring my vision of a sprinkle-themed party to life with the perfect balloons to match. The company specializes in creating the most marvelous balloon bouquets of any size and level of sophistication.
Last but not least, it wouldn’t be a party without cake—and what better way tie together a sprinkle theme? Cocoa Dot Cakes delivered an equally gorgeous and delicious white cake covered in sprinkles for me and my guests to enjoy.
Next time you’re getting ready to host a party, consider venturing into your neighborhood and meeting with local vendors. You’ll be surprised to find all of the resources you need to make your vision a reality are often right around the corner!