One of the family traditions that I would like to start is celebrating half-birthdays for Ellerie and any future kiddos. No real reason other than I think it's a very simple way to make an extra day of the year special. We won't do presents, but when they are old enough to "get it" I will let the little one pick what they want for dinner and I plan on cutting a birthday card in half (just down the center) and giving it to them with breakfast.
And we're going to do half-birthday cakes because I love just about any excuse to make a cake.
I have searched Pinterest for half-birthday ideas (other random things I frequently search Pinterest for – DIY garden beds, chunky yarn & "wall of plants.") and "half-cakes" kept popping up. I loved that idea and it seemed simple enough – bake a circle cake, cut it in half, stack the halves and frost the whole thing.
I bought funfetti cake (because obviously) and a jar of chocolate frosting and on Thursday set to work. Turns out one box equals two 9 inch round pans so I wound up with four halves to stack (even better). I layered frosting in between each cake layer and then used a butter knife to frost the whole thing. I was shocked that it took the whole jar of frosting.
We ate it Friday night (sadly after E was already asleep) with our family in town and toasted to six months of my baby girl & six months of Parenthood. This is a tradition we'll be keeping for sure.
ps and super random giveaway: the garland was just freehand cut from the tons of solid color fabric I have. It's a mix of quilter's cotton, flannel, felt & duck cloth. I just ran circle after circle through my sewing machine. After it served as a makeshift table runner, I hung it in Ellerie's room. Do you want one? In honor of Ellerie's half birthday, I'll give one away. Leave a comment below and I'll post the winner here in this post on 12/26. Giveaway is open to anyone worldwide. as always, thanks for reading.
WINNER IS SARAH! Commentor #47 Thank you!!
enJOY it 
248 responses to “half cake for half a year.”
this is so adorable! I love the idea of half a came, I always get a little excited about my half birthday because it brings your real birthday into the forefront of your mind. great excuse for cake! 🙂
LikeLike
Plan on doing this tradition with my family! I would love to win the garland!
LikeLike
Oh this would be wonderful in my classroom….And how I love the half birthday celebration.
LikeLike
We celebrate my two Goddaughters birthdays at our house every year on new years eve….this would be a great decoration for their birthday party!! Thanks for the chance to win!
LikeLike
Happy Half Birthday, Little E! And happy 6 mod of parenthood to you and Paul!
LikeLike
I would love this in my little girl’s room. She has not let me resume crafting at all since she was born. Very high needs baby but I wouldn’t have it any other way!!! Love all your craftiness! Hopefully I’m the lucky winner!!!
LikeLike
I love it! And so will E and future kiddos!
We also celebrate 1/2 birthdays as a way of carrying on a family tradition from my husband’s family. Our other children (2) get a small gift to open on the birthday sibling’s birthday. It’s a small thing, but our kids’ birthdays are spread out enough that it makes it super-fun for everyone while obviously the main focus is on the birthday child.
Thanks for the chance to win…Your blog is by far my fave.
LikeLike
Happy Half Birthday, Ellerie! You are loved indeed.
LikeLike
I love how every family has their own special birthday traditions! At our house we have a “you are special plate” that the birthday kid gets on their special day. Happy half birthday sweet Ellerie! She is just beautiful Elise
LikeLike
Love the runner and your cake. And your little family!
LikeLike
My half birthday was last week too! My family celebrates golden birthdays — my birthday is the 18th of the month so my golden birthday was when I turned 18. My sister’s was when she turned 12 on the 12th, and my poor cousin always complains she should get a re-do because hers was when she turned 1 on the 1st! I’d love the garland to brighten up my dorm room at school!
LikeLike
I like your new tradition.
LikeLike
Happy half a year to your sweet girl! I love your garland it would look fab in my office or on my table. Thanks for the chance to win!
LikeLike
I love any excuse to make cake too. How have I never thought of half birthdays?! I’d love some garland to brighten up my living room.
LikeLike
So fun! I LOVE half birthdays! My half birthday falls on December 6, and the tradition has always been that I get a new ornament or Christmas-related gift on my half birthday. 🙂
LikeLike
I would love to win!
LikeLike
How fun! You’ve made it! Well… To six months! I have a 2 year old and an almost 5 year old, and in my opinion, you’re already past the hardest part!
LikeLike
Happy half-birthday!
LikeLike
🎂 happy 1/2 birthday precious E 🎂. I would 💜 to hang the garland in my classroom window for all the kiddos to enjoy! 😊
LikeLike
Half birthdays are fun. We’ve always done it with our kids because the two oldest have birthdays exactly six months apart; April 10 and October 10.
LikeLike
What a cute idea. I should do half birthdays for my kiddos too …
LikeLike
Love the confetti garland! What a great idea to celebrate 1/2 birthdays — think it’s too late to start celebrating in your 40s? Thanks for the chance to win some homemade goodies!
LikeLike
Love the look on the table!
LikeLike
So cute! Thanks for all the creative inspiration.
LikeLike
Love the garland! And Happy 6 months to Ellerie! 🙂
LikeLike
Great idea to celebrate half birthdays. Thanks for the chance to enter the giveaway.
LikeLike
ooh, i would love to win a garland, it’s adorable!
LikeLike
Love that garland! Would love a chance to win!
LikeLike
What a fantastic tradition…because we all know being 5 and-a-half is better than being 5, etc.
LikeLike
Would love this! It’s beautiful!
LikeLike
So sweet! Happy half birthday to Ellerie! 🙂 Thanks for the chance to win, my little girl would love that in her room!
LikeLike
Aw, cute idea! Happy half Bday Ellerie! Sadly we’re already past out little one’s 6 mo (she’s 8mo) but next year for sure! Thanks for the chance to win!
LikeLike
I love this 1/2 birthday Idea! How special 🙂 And that garland is adorable, I would love to have one! 🙂
-Sarah
LikeLike
What a fun tradition! Totally pinning so as not to forget for when I have kiddos of my own.
LikeLike
So sweet of you! I would LOVE some garland:) I am obsessed with garland;) I have random ones all over the house. Thanks for the chance! Happy Half Bday Ellerie!!
LikeLike
I love the garland! If I don’t win I will most definitely be making one. And happy 1/2 to Ellerie!
LikeLike
This is such an adorable idea! I swear all my friends celebrate their half birthdays, but I never have. But I always want to! Maybe I’ll start if I win this lil runner…or if I don’t win. 🙂
LikeLike
I love the idea of a half birthday! And I would love one! That garland is amazing. How sweet of you to offer one up. I love everything you make! (Especially Ellerie) Merry Christmas!
LikeLike
SUCH a fun idea! I’d love the garland! (Merry, merry Christmas to you and all your family too!)
LikeLike
I would love the chance to include a part of you in future half-birthday celebrations I will have for any kiddos I have in my future ❤ Merry Christmas Elise
LikeLike
Beautiful. Happy half birthday Ellerie!
LikeLike
Such a colourful little addition to the table. I would love win one please! I love the cake! A super cute idea!
LikeLike
Uh, YES, please! I would love one! Darling. The garland is just like your cute little family – too darling for words. Mine are teenagers now, but they would still love that colorful happiness-on-a-sting. Thanks!
LikeLike
I would love to win this! What an awesome giveaway.
LikeLike
LOVE LOVE LOVE this! Hoping to add this to my home (fingers crossed!). You’re such a cool and creative mom, Elise, and I thoroughly enjoy your posts. Happy Holidays from the Midwest.
LikeLike
I’d love to win your garland! it’d be great in the new apartment I’m moving into soon with my fiance!
LikeLike
So cute & crafty! Happy half, Ellerie!
LikeLike
Love the idea and the garland!
LikeLike
We celebrate half-birthdays too!! Merry Christmas to you and yours!
LikeLike
Happy 1/2 Birthday Ellerie! Such a milestone for all of you!
LikeLike