how to throw a tie-dye birthday party

Host an unforgettable, colorful tie-dye-themed birthday party with these easy tips. 

A not-so-secret secret: I’ve always loved tie-dye. It’s colorful, fun, and makes people happy. It’s one of the reasons why I started making tie-dye cupcakes and why Tie-Dye is available on the Baked by Melissa menu year round (they’re still made in the bakery using my original method). I strive to bake treats that put a smile on people’s faces—bite-sized cupcakes made with tie-dye cake bring the best of both worlds together.

One other way I love to make people happy is by hosting parties for friends and family, especially birthday celebrations. Though I’m a strong believer that the company you keep is more important than any theme, what’s more fun than a tie-dye-themed party? In my opinion, the more bright colors that make people happy, the better. Here are my top tips for throwing the ultimate tie-dye birthday party.

Serve colorful, nourishing snacks

It’s essential to bring out all the colors, even for savory apps and snacks. I recommend salads with tons of vibrant veggies, such as the Farm Stand Salad or Mediterranean Chopped Salad. For something more snacky, Nacho Taco Salad with red tomatoes, orange cheddar, and green onions is sure to please. But my top snack rec? Tie-dye hummus. Your guests won’t want to stop swirling raw carrots and pita chips in this colorful dip.

Invest in affordable, tie-dye party supplies

Yes, you absolutely need tie-dye plates to go with your tie-dye eats. To avoid a massive cleanup later, I like to use these party paper plates that guests can throw out when they’re done eating. They perfectly suit the tie-dye theme and don’t break the bank. Don’t forget the matching napkins either!

…and tie-dye birthday decorations!

For a tie-dye birthday party to remember, I love multicolored number-shaped balloons. The birthday guest of honor can pose with the balloons during photo-ops with loved ones. This decor is especially meaningful if you’re throwing a tie-dye sweet 16 party or celebrating another birthday milestone.

Tie-dye shirts to wear or save as a keepsake

Tie-dye dress code or not, this activity allows everyone to have something tie-dye to wear at the celebration! Gather some white shirts and an easy-to-use tie-dye kit to design the tie-dye shirt of your dreams. If you and your guests are feeling even more creative, use some scissors to make fringe and add colorful beads to the fringed hem.

Create the ultimate tie-dye dessert spread

The best part of any birthday party is the desserts. I'm partial to our Tie-Dye Cupcakes (obviously!). For a little more variety, you can also mix Tie-Dye with Electric Tie-Dye in a Pick Your Flavors pack. The cupcakes are a bite-sized crowd-pleaser, no matter how many guests you have.

Hosting a smaller birthday get together? Our Electric Tie-Dye Layer Cake serves 8-12 people and is available at most Baked by Melissa locations. Don’t worry—if you’re not near a store, you can make our tie-dye cake recipe at home!

 

Cheers to more birthday celebrations! Let us know if you use any of these tie-dye party ideas by tagging @bakedbymelissa on Instagram or TikTok.

 

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