As a first time mom, I knew I wanted my daughter’s first birthday party to be special. I didn’t want a cheesy theme – I wanted the party to be all about her. I ended up going with a scrapbook-style theme, with photos of her everywhere.

The main decor was big cut-outs of her throughout the year. Think that scene in Stepmom when Julia Robert’s character decorates Susan Sarandon’s bedroom with all of the life-size cut-outs of her kids. That’s what I wanted her party to feel like!

The TikTok video I posted of the process has more than 1 million views and nearly 40,000 saves.

Let’s break down how I made them:

I printed the photos at Walgreens on a 24×36 poster. I zoomed in as much as I could to focus on my daughter. I cut her out of the photos and then traced that shape on the foam poster board. I made sure that each piece still had a flat bottom so it could stand up.

I cut the shape out of the foam board and used double sided tape to put the photo on it.

I used a piece of scrap poster board to create a stand for them in the back.

I also added some fun birthday themed elements to some, like a cake and crown.

I’ve learned a few things since creating these cut-outs that could’ve made the process a little easier.

So if I were to do the project again, here’s what I would change.

I would print the photos directly on a poster board or an adhesive poster (essentially a big sticker). That way it cuts out the whole taping process.

A lot of people suggested using a hot foam cutter tool to cut the poster. Be aware, that won’t work if you have a regular poster foam board from an office supply store – like the one you’d do a science project on. The foam cutter will burn the paper. It will work if you have just a piece of foam with no paper on it.