| Your child's first birthday is a momentous one. What | | | | your child tends to get upset and scared during large |
| do you do to celebrate their very first birthday? | | | | gatherings then you should limit your guest list to |
| Questions like these often come up with parents of | | | | people with whom they are the most comfortable. |
| almost one year olds. The answer to this question is | | | | Even inviting just a few Grandparents, Aunts and |
| something only your family can answer, but where do | | | | Uncles can be a large party. If your child likes bustling |
| you start? | | | | activity, then you can expand your guest list. |
| Why should I have a party when my son/daughter | | | | Playgroups can often make for a large guest list, after |
| won't remember it? | | | | adding in parents and children. If your child has a |
| A one year birthday party is not only for your child, but | | | | playgroup of children around their age you can do one |
| also a celebration of you as parents. Making it through | | | | of two things. You can either invite them to the main |
| that first year of life is a wonderful occasion, and one | | | | party, or if you are trying to limit their actual birthday |
| that should be celebrated. This should be a party that | | | | party, why not suggest that you do a birthday for all of |
| is a combination of a celebration of the end of | | | | the playgroup at one time? If the children in the |
| babyhood, the beginning of toddler-hood, and the end | | | | playgroup are just a few months apart, plan on a time |
| to your first year as a parents! Sound like a hard task? | | | | that is after all have had their birthday. Just throw a |
| It does not have to be. | | | | small party during a play date with cupcakes and |
| When should I have the party? | | | | maybe a few games. This will help cut down on your |
| This year in particular will be the hardest in terms of | | | | birthday party, and can still be a way the children can |
| timing a party for your child. They are often on a 1 or 2 | | | | celebrate together. |
| nap schedule, which leaves little time for the party. | | | | What food should we serve at the party? |
| There are two great options for this. One is to have a | | | | I always recommend a buffet style party. Make sure |
| party with a brunch. The other is a late afternoon get | | | | to include foods that your child likes. If their favorite |
| together. | | | | thing to eat is goldfish, then they should be on the |
| If your child only has an afternoon nap, often the time | | | | menu! For the adults, have foods out that you can pick |
| they are the most cheerful is in the morning hours. Use | | | | up at your local grocery store. Why make this special |
| this to your advantage. Your party planning should be | | | | time one that is going to make your head spin? If you |
| focused on morning activities. Have a brunch, instead | | | | can pick up chicken strips, salad, coleslaw, fruit salad |
| of lunch, or have an early morning at the park for your | | | | and chips, then why not make it that easy on |
| friends. | | | | yourself? This way you will have more time to focus |
| If you child still takes two naps, it might be best to have | | | | on your child and their day. If you are determined to |
| a party planned for about an hour after they typically | | | | make the food, make sure it is easy to do, and |
| wake up from their second nap. This gives your child a | | | | something that you will have time to make before |
| chance to get up and adjusted before so many | | | | guests arrive. |
| people come over. The time you choose for your | | | | What should we do to make the party special? |
| party is one main element that will determine whether | | | | There are so many unique things you can do to make |
| your child has a good time or not. You would not like it | | | | your child's day special. Just taking pictures and video |
| if they had a party for you at 5:30 in the morning if you | | | | makes it special. My two favorite ideas for a first |
| were not a morning person. Keep this in mind! Timing is | | | | birthday party are a picture album and time capsules. |
| everything! | | | | Taking pictures with your guests is a great idea. Once |
| Should we have a theme? | | | | guests have arrived, and the child has gotten used to |
| This is entirely up to you. When we had our daughters' | | | | them being there, try getting a photo of the child with |
| first birthdays, we had a theme to each. Our first was | | | | that person or family. Do not take the picture as soon |
| an Elmo theme, because she just could not get | | | | as the guest arrives, as your child is sure to resist this |
| enough of that little guy. The other was Big Bird | | | | idea. You will only get a bunch of pictures of a crying, |
| because she enjoyed yellow and Sesame Street. | | | | newly one year old! After you take their picture, give |
| Finding a theme can be as easy as looking at what | | | | the guests a piece of paper that they can write a |
| your child likes. If they have a favorite character, this | | | | message to the child. You can then take these |
| makes your job easy. You can make this your theme, | | | | pictures and messages, and make a great book to |
| or just take a color from the character and use that | | | | give your child when they are older. It will be a nice |
| for napkins, and decorations. If there is a favorite book | | | | way for them to remember the special people who |
| they like take that theme, and use it. I have used books | | | | were in their lives at this time of their life. |
| as centerpieces before, and it made for cute | | | | Time capsules are also a great idea. All you will need |
| decorations. | | | | is a box or container to keep these things in for a long |
| If your child does not have a favorite, you might want | | | | period of time. Ask each guest to bring something for |
| to go with their room theme, animal or color. The | | | | the time capsule. You can do this in lieu of gifts if you |
| theme could be as simple as making the cake, napkins, | | | | would like. You may also add things like the |
| and plates match. You do not have to go all out for | | | | newspaper, or a special book. Then put all of these |
| decorations. This money can be used in other areas. | | | | things in the box and have the child open it at a later |
| One or two balloons is really all you need to make it | | | | date such as their sixteenth birthday, or high school |
| look like a party. | | | | graduation. |
| Who should we invite? | | | | Now that you have a few ideas about your party, it is |
| The invitation list for a party like this can get large | | | | time to start planning! Above all else, remember that no |
| quickly! What you need to do is think of who the baby | | | | matter what you end up doing, this day will be a |
| knows. This is their party. Will all of the people you | | | | special one for you and your child. Happy Birthday! |
| know make them afraid and not have a good time? If | | | | |