Baby's First Birthday Party - Let Them Eat Cake!
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Home & Family > Toddlers
Jun 16, 2007
Baby's First Birthday Party - Let Them Eat Cake!
As the story is told, on my first birthday I saw the cake on the coffee table and took my first steps as a toddler to seize the prize. Photos show an adorable outfit with new white shoes and what started as a clean face all totally smeared with gooey pink icing. Even though I was the star of the show I don't remember a thing! Thank goodness for the old Kodak camera. First birthdays are an important event - but they're truly more for the parents than the baby. The real memories are yours, but the embellished stories become 'real' to your child over time. This is why it's so important to plan a party that will not only be a highlight of your life but will hold special lifetime treasures for your little one, too. Of course, the baby will delight in opening their first birthday gifts! Careful, thoughtful planning is the key to a happy, fun occasion. It's best to keep things simple and to invite only children and adults that your baby enjoys being around. If your one-year-old is shy, keep the guest list small. On the other hand if you have an outgoing, 'life of the party' baby - the more the merrier! At this age it's best to have the party at home rather than trying to entertain a group of crying babies who are uncomfortable in new surroundings, such as a restaurant or other public venue. Consider the temperament of your guests as well as the 'guest of honor.' Give some thought to how many of the tiny guests are crawling, walking or running. Make sure you plan the party in a space where there's plenty of room to move around in a safe environment. Loud noises can startle little ones, so avoid loud music and balloons that may burst. It's a bit early to have ponies to ride and clowns that may frighten rather than entertain. Keep it simple! Your birthday boy or girl may be a 'clinger' at this age. If so, make sure that you have someone to help with the party hosting duties and activities so you're free to hold your baby during the party, if necessary. Let's give some more thought to the guest list. Of course, you'll want to invite everyone who remotely knows your sweet birthday baby, but it's easy for the list to get out of hand. Of course grandparents and other close relatives with their children should be invited. If you've connected with other parents who have babies around the same age, absolutely invite both the baby and the parents. Do be aware, though, that they may bring their child's siblings whether invited or not. Probably 2 or 3 other adorable babies is enough at this tender age. Now, let's get down to the nitty-gritty. How long should the party last and what time of day is best? An hour and a half is more than enough for a first birthday party. If it's nap time, any baby can become cranky. Consider the weekend so you can have a late morning or early afternoon event. If babies need a nap during the party - so what! Plan a quiet place in the room with a comforter or two on the floor just in case. Is cake and ice cream enough, or do you feel compelled to have a theme for the party? Again - keep in mind that it's really for you, but it's not necessary to go overboard to impress the guests. Your baby could care less if the plates, napkins and tablecloths feature their favorite cartoon character. But, if a theme makes it easier for you to plan a fun party, then go for it! Some general ideas for baby themes might be teddy bears or other cuddly stuffed animals for little girls and cars and trucks for little boys. If your baby has a favorite book or toy, maybe that will give you some ideas. Define an area on the floor with a colourful rug or blanket and have a collection of similar - or even the same - toys. Not all babies at this age have learned to share. Be sure to have one for each child to take home if you like, or consider other age-appropriate party favors such as a coloring book and washable crayons or soft or inflatable balls. One fun idea is to set up a maze made from soft materials that the babies can crawl through or roll over. Anything new will attract their attention and keep the fussing to a minimum. Let the older children be the 'helpers' so they feel they're a part of the activity, too. Party food should be simple, and the easiest plan is to provide something that everyone attending the party can enjoy. Avoid anything that could cause choking, such as whole grapes or nuts. Better choices are cheese and crackers, fruit cut into small pieces, pizza, animal crackers, and of course cake and ice cream. The most important thing to remember is to make baby's first birthday a fun event for all and as stress-free as possible for Mom and Dad. Be sure your camera is ready to capture this special event - then 'let them eat cake!'
Janet Winter delights in providing great resources for parents and unique gifts for first birthdays, newborns, toddlers and baby showers at WelcomeBabyGifts.com. She is a web designer, travel agent, and writer on many topics including babies, wild birds and dogs.
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