Baby's 1st Birthday Party Ideas
Your baby's first birthday party is a wonderfully happy event to celebrate. Whether you're planning an intimate gathering or a larger affair, here are some quick tips and ideas to make it easy on you and great for everyone else.
Scheduling--Plan your party around your baby's normal routine. For most parents, that means mid- to late afternoon, after the end of the baby's nap. That way, your guests will have more time to enjoy the guest of honor.
Guest list--Keep in mind that the guest list is likely to include far more adults than kids. Help the other parents enjoy your baby's party by hiring a sitter and setting up a playroom with some toys, creative activities, and possibly some short DVDs, to help keep the other parents' kids entertained.
Party venue--Most parents prefer to have a first birthday party at home, rather than at a restaurant or party space. At home, the baby will feel more comfortable in his or her normal surroundings—and probably have less need for constant attention.
Party food—You've had a rather busy year, so give yourself a break and enjoy Baby's first birthday party! Keep the menu simple. Serve everything buffet-style. Order the food from a restaurant, deli, or caterer. Choose gourmet wraps and sandwiches, plus take-out potato salad or other side dishes that will make menu planning a snap. (And here's a hint: Mac and cheese is not only a kid pleaser, but a real treat for grown-ups, who almost never get to eat it and who will probably devour it!)
First birthday décor—Choose a color theme incorporating two or three different colors. Chocolate brown with robin's egg blue, citrus yellow, or dusty pink are all very stylish and trendy. For dinnerware, choose classy, but simple Party Supplies for the adults and fun cartoon or 1st birthday party plates, cups, and napkins for the kids.
For a sophisticated touch, decorate tables with framed pictures of your baby that you've taken during that wonderful first year. Intersperse the photos with small vases containing fresh flowers in the two or three colors you've chosen for the party.
You might also enjoy: Take wonderful First Birthday baby photos.
Going to a 1st birthday party? Here are some great gift ideas:
"My First" Soft Book
$17.98
Here are some great places to find terrific kids' party gifts:
What did YOU do that made your baby's 1st birthday party a success?
Comments
momofthree says:
I just had a birthday party for my youngest, and hired my regular babysitter to stay with the kids in the playroom. There's no way I could have done it without help or my friends would have been jumping up every two minutes.
ellenb777 says:
We had a clown who did some magic tricks to keep the kids busy for an hour. It was really worth it.
CRAFTFAIRY says:
FOR MY SON'S FIRST BIRTHDAY I USE EMPTY FORMULA CANS FOR TREAT BUCKETS INSTEAD OF BUYING TREAT BAGS! I TAKE OFF THE PAPER OFF THE FORMULA CAN AND PAINT IT AND STENCIL IT WITH THE THEME OF THE PARTY! I USE THE BIG FORMULA CANS DECORATED WITH THEME OF PARTY FOR TABLE CENTERPIECES WITH FLOWERS OR WHATEVER! SO SAVE YOUR EMPTY FORMULA CANS THAT YOU WILL NEED. WHAT DO YOU GUYS THINK?
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