When it comes to kids birthday parties, we always have dreams of homemade through and through. Our inspiration search starts at Sara Hicks Malone's blog Sara’s Party Perfect, which provides just what we are looking for: parties with creative, personal touches that are, best of all, attainable. A former art director at Martha Stewart Baby & Kids and now a designer for Hicks Paper Goods, Sara's got talent. From the safari party to the fabulous messy outside art-y party, one is better than the next. How does she do it? “Birthdays should be FUN and easy, both for the birthday boy or girl and the parents! The best parties are those thrown at home. I try to balance a mix of store-bought/easy stuff with some DIY touches to make it more personal. Maybe you buy cupcakes from the bakery and add a homemade flag. Or you make the cake, but buy from-the-store invitations.” She loves homemade cakes, parties with "personality", someone else taking pictures, and hand-written thank you notes. Party time! SHOP SARA’S PARTY PICKS >