Yes, You Can Have a Sophisticated Elmo Party — See How Martha Stewart Did It!

We shouldn't be surprised that little Jude Stewart has had a succession of beautiful birthday parties. Since she's Martha Stewart's only granddaughter, you know they'll be subtle and sophisticated (just take a look back at the tot's zoo-animal-themed first birthday celebration for evidence of that!). So you can only imagine our surprise when we heard that the theme for a combined second birthday party for Jude and first birthday party for her baby brother, Truman, was Elmo. Yes, everybody's favorite furry red monster — the subject of thousands of birthday parties around the world — would be the central theme for the soiree. But leave it to Martha and Alexis Stewart to do it in a completely new and refined way. Don't believe it can be done? Keep reading for all the details (and some free downloads, so you can do the party yourself!). Photo by Mimi Ritzen Crawford, courtesy of Martha Stewart Living, copyright © 2014

Red Details Everywhere

Red Details Everywhere

Red was the color of the day at this Elmo party. Using party goods from Martha's own collection and free downloadable Elmo medallions, it was easy to turn the room red.

"Red party goods — including large paper poms suspended from the ceiling — made it a cinch to set a buffet that fit the Elmo theme," Martha said. "Clip art added more smiles to the room."

The Elmo cake, created by Ron Ben-Israel, was made of "several layers of vanilla cake, covered first in red fondant and then in buttercream 'fur' (piped with a Wilton tip #233)." But it was only for adult consumption, as Alexis kept the treats healthier for the kids. Photo by Mimi Ritzen Crawford courtesy of Martha Stewart Living, copyright © 2014

Playdate With Elmo

Playdate With Elmo

No Elmo-themed party is complete without a visit from the furry red monster himself. While most of us would have to settle for an impersonator (or Mom or Dad dressed up as Elmo), Martha Stewart called the big guy himself and had him attend the party.

"The moment my granddaughter saw Elmo when she was a baby, it was love at first sight," Martha said. "All the children at the party were delighted to see him — and I was too!" Photo by Mimi Ritzen Crawford courtesy of Martha Stewart Living, copyright © 2014

A Sweet (and Healthy!) Treat

A Sweet (and Healthy!) Treat

Sticking to Alexis's desire to keep the kids' food healthy, she "made the Elmo gelatins using organic apple, cranberry, blueberry, apricot, and coconut juices," Martha shared. "The morning of the party, she cut all the shapes from slabs of jelly she had made in large baking sheets and assembled the faces."

At each child's seat was a printable Elmo placemat and printable box of Elmo crayons to keep little hands busy. "The boxes themselves were clip art, folded and taped into shape," Martha said. Photo by Mimi Ritzen Crawford courtesy of Martha Stewart Living, copyright © 2014

Tasty Shapes

Tasty Shapes

As any real Sesame Street fan knows, shapes are an important part of every episode. So for the party, "jicama, carrots, cheese, and radishes were carefully cut into shapes with cookie cutters and served alongside red peppers," Martha said. Photo by Mimi Ritzen Crawford courtesy of Martha Stewart Living, copyright © 2014

Elmo to Go

Elmo to Go

When the party was over, guests went home with adorable cookies by Dani Fiori of Sweet Dani B as well as some of the kids' favorite books. Photo by Mimi Ritzen Crawford courtesy of Martha Stewart Living, copyright © 2014

Martha Stewart Living, March 2014

Martha Stewart Living, March 2014

The entire article appears in the March 2014 edition of Martha Stewart Living.