The new way to celebrate: customizable crowns with interchangeable numbers

There's an accessory I've been seeing more and more of lately in the atelier's children's celebrations, and it strikes me as one of the most meaningful things we've made in a long time: the birthday crown with interchangeable numbers.

The idea is simple but there's something lovely behind it. Instead of a single-use party hat that ends up in the trash the next day, it's one handmade crown that stays with the child year after year — only the number changes.

"Every year the number changes, but the excitement stays intact."

An object that marks the passing of time

First birthdays have something magical about them: the first cake, the first candles, the first photos that will end up in a family album. What's lovely about this crown is that it doesn't stay in that first year — it keeps appearing in photographs as the number changes and the child grows alongside it.

Which fabrics hold up best to years of use

Since this is a piece that will be used for many birthdays in a row, I choose fabrics that hold up well both to a young child's handling and to the passing of time without losing shape or color. Good-quality felt is one of my favorite choices — it keeps its structure without needing stiff interfacing, while still being soft enough for the child to wear comfortably throughout the party. Embroidery with good-quality thread also holds up much better over the years than a print or a glued-on patch.

How to store the crown between birthdays

Storing it flat, in a box or cover that protects it from dust, helps it arrive in perfect condition for the next birthday. If it has any three-dimensional element — a flower, a bow — it's worth making sure it doesn't get crushed under other objects during the months of waiting. It's minimal care compared to what it gives back: a piece that can accompany several birthdays looking as good as it did on day one.

Beyond the photograph

We live surrounded by very aesthetically curated celebrations, and this crown fits just as well in a minimalist setting as in a bohemian or romantic one — it doesn't compete with the decor, it complements it. And against use-and-toss decorations, it offers something that lasts: it gets reused for years instead of ending up forgotten after the party.

There are objects that end up becoming part of a family's rituals — the favorite blanket, the first stuffed animal. More and more families are adding this crown to that list. If you'd like one for the next birthday, you can contact Atelier Yvicor.

Frequently asked questions

What can be embroidered on the crown besides the number?
The child's name, so the piece is identified as theirs from the very first birthday.

Which fabric holds up best for a crown used over several years?
Good-quality felt, because it keeps its structure without needing stiff interfacing while still being comfortable for the child.

How should the crown be stored between one birthday and the next?
Flat, in a box or cover that protects it from dust, making sure it doesn't get crushed under other objects if it has three-dimensional elements.

"Some accessories aren't kept in a drawer. They're kept in memory."

— Patricia Rojas