Ideas for a Baby's First Birthday Party
Congratulations, your baby is a year old! It's time for their very first birthday, and you of course want to make it special. The first thing you will want to keep in mind is this:
Keep It Simple!
Fight the urge to go overboard with ideas for a baby's first birthday party. Your child won't remember any of their first party. Your best memory will be the picture of them grabing handfuls of cake and smiling at you covered in frosting. Keep themes simple, and characters or shapes your little one recognizes.
Supply Ideas for Baby's First Birthday
Here are a few items you may want to add to your check list while coming up with ideas for a baby's first birthday party:Big Cake & Small Cake
Of course this is obvious, but when making out lists of ideas for baby's first birthday, it's easy to forget the smallest items. The big cake at baby's first birthday party will be for you and guests. The small cake at your baby's party will be for the child to plant their face into.
As for the design, keep your ideas for the cake simple. Popular first birthday party characters include Pooh, Seasame Street, or basic clowns and balloons. Be sure to place your order at least a week ahead of time, two weeks if the baby's birthday party will land close to a holiday (my son's is in May, which is graduation month - VERY busy time for cake orders!).
Don't forget the ice cream!
Balloons & Stremers
No need to buy tons of decorations when planning baby's first birthday. Even one simple balloon will facinate a one year old child. You can add stremers if you want a bit extra, but it's not neccessary. I can't stress this enough - keep your ideas for a baby's first birthday party simple!
Balloons come in packages of either multi-color packs or single color packs. You may choose to use balloons of one color to match the theme of the cake. This is fine to do, just as long as you don't buy too many different types of colors. If there will be other children at the party (family members, most likely), then the balloons will mostly be for them. Your child will be too interested in cake and guests at their first birthday party to notice many balloons.
Also be sure you keep a close eye on those balloons after the party is over. If possible, send them all home with the other kids. Popped balloons can be a choking hazard, so PLEASE keep all pieces off the floor. If there won't be any other kids, skip the balloons all together.
Party Invitations
Since your child doesn't fully know what's going on, cutesy invitations are rarely needed. My family usually handles birthday party invites with a series of phone calls to specific family members and tells them to "pass it along".
If you really want invites to put in scrapbooks, make just a few invites for family members who you know will put them to good use. No need to make or tons of invitations that won't be used or tossed immediately. Just a few will do.
Paper Plates, Napkins, & Silverware
Another baby's first birthday party item, but often forgotten. You'll be busy the day of the party, so be sure you have all the small items picked up at the store ahead of time. There's nothing more irritating when you are trying to get ready for a party and realizing you forgot something!
These don't always have to be a theme - regular plates and napkins work fine. Just be sure you have paper and plastic utensils on hand so you don't have the extra dishes after the party. You'll have enough to clean up.
Party Hats & Party Favors
If you can't resist the urge to take a picture of your big one year old in a party hat at their first birthday party, go ahead and pick one up. Party favors are not necessary unless there will be other children (family members).
Other First Birthday Party Ideas & Tips
Party planning is definitely a stressful time. The following first birthday party ideas and tips will help the party go over with ease.1. Make a list
Be sure you have a list of everything you will need (see above) of all the ideas for a baby's first birthday party. I can't tell you how many times I've walked out of the store without something like ice cream, silverware, or balloons. So make your list, check it twice, and do your shopping all at once - you'll be less likely to forget an important item this way.
2. Know where your utensils are
You'll need a big knife to cut the cake, something to serve the cake with, scoop for the ice cream, and a good sized rag for the little one in the cake. It's never fun hunting for these items when relatives are waiting. You might also want to have a trash bag on hand so your normal garbage doesn't fill up too quickly. There's no time to take out the trash at baby's first birthday party!
3. Try getting in naps early
If your child usually takes a nap from 1-2pm, set the party time for 3pm or later. Work around them and their normal schedule. While it won't hurt them to miss a nap or upset their schedule for one day, they are likely to become fussy at their first birthday party and not in the mood for eating cake or opening presents.
4. Expect the unexpected
Handling babies and parties together can sometimes be frustrating. They may not want to participate or become overwhelmed with what's going on. Be flexible and forget about schedules - work with both your guests and child.
Hopefully these ideas for a baby's first birthday party will help you have a fun party for both you and your baby!
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