1st Birthday Party Idea

Is planning your childs first birthday party becomming a nightmare?
You need a 1st Birthday Party Idea, or two, or three....

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1st Birthday Party Idea

You have reached a very exciting stage in your little one's life - their very First Birthday Party. You want to have a great celebration. But you have no idea what to do or where to start and need a 1st birthday party idea. Total Baby Guide is here to help you throw a great party for your little one. Plan a party to remember - not one that you would rather pretend never happened.

Firstly - KISS - keep it simply simple!

This is an important milestone and you want to celebrate. Keep in mind - your child is still a baby. Don't throw the party of the decade - they won't even understand what it is all about. This is not the time to create a socialite of your child. That said there is still a lot you can do to create a special party and memory.

Guest List
Keep the guest list small and intermate. You don't want to end up with a weepy clingy child. Rather invite close friends and family that are familiar to your child. Remember they don't really play with other children at this stage. If your child is in a creche and has one or two little friends by all means invite them.

A wonderful idea is to ask someone else to be the hostess for the party. This leaves you free to sit and chat to your guests and watch the kids enjoy your well planned party. If you spend the party making sure tea and coffee is ready, refilling milk jugs, ensuring there are clean glasses or cups, etc, you will miss the most important part of the party - watching the little ones have fun. Be sure to buy her a hostess gift to say thank you afterwards.

Timing is Everything
Plan the party for after your little one's morning or afternoon nap. This ensures the star of the show is bright and chirpy rather then cranky and tired. The party should not go on for more then about an hour and a half.

Party Outfit or Dress
This is a wonderful opportunity for mom to dress her little one up. There are some wonderful pretty dresses for girls and cute outfits for boys.

Setting up and Decor
Select a theme - this makes is easier to decorate the room and plan the cake. Keep the decor simple and gay. Huge figures and faces on the walls can be more terrifying then interesting to many babies, so save these for later birthdays. If you have a sensitive or timid child avoid balloons. They look great but cause more distress to little ones then joy when they loudly "go pop". You know your child best. Keep them in mind when decorating the party area.

You will need a table to set out the food and beverages on. A bright table cloth with a lovely bunch of flowers in the center is always pretty. You can also decorate the table to fit in with the theme of the party.

Food and Cake
Use the birthday cake as a center piece and place the adult food snacks around the cake. Yes you will do more catering for the adults at this party then for the little one's. As you don't want to be serving adults the whole party, provide finger foods.

There are a number of great finger foods for the little guests. If possible get the little one's to sit down to eat their party foods. Running around with food in their mouths can be a hazard.

If you have chosen a party theme bake or get a cake to match the theme. However, there are a number of 1st Birthday Cake ideas for you to bake even if you havn’t chosen a theme.

Entertainment
Don't waste your money on expensive party entertainers. Your baby won't understand what is going on. You will have plenty of other birthday parties for which to have clowns, puppet shows or other dressed up characters.

Use music to create a party atmosphere. Play nursery rhymes and other children songs (being sung by children) in the background.

Littelies will not take well to organized games - many will not even understand what you are up to. If it is warm put out containers of water with bubbles and bath toys. Kids love playing with water. Just warn mom's in the invitation so they bring bathers or a change of clothing.

If the party is inside place the chairs for moms around the outside leaving a play area in the middle with different toys for little ones to crawl to and play with. You can give some moms bubbles to blow for the children.

Party Favors and Gifts
Provide each child with only 1 or 2 items. Select baby safe items like soft balls, cloth or board books, small plush teddies or bright rubber bath toys. Obviously choose items that won't be a chocking hazards.

Have a separate table or container where guests can place the birthday gifts when they arrive.

Don't try opening your child's gifts at the party. They are seldom impressed with the items, which get thrown around or ignored. More often then not the paper or container is more fascinating then the contents. Also older children will want to play with the toys which may get broken or lost. I suggest that you open 1 or 2 gifts daily over the next few days. This way baby gets to play and enjoy each one before becoming bored with it.

If you are going to help your child open their presents at the party, make sure you give each little guest their favor first.

Thank You's
As you open the present record what was received and from whom. If you do stagger the gift opening then you only need to write out 1 or 2 thank you notes a day.

Try thank the guests for their specific gift rather then just writing a generic thank you note. Remember to thank them for attending the party too, not just for the gift.

Photo's
In a blink of an eye the party will be over. In a few blinks - your little one will be "all growed up". Take photos or a video to record the special day that you have put a lot of effort into planning and organizing.

Ask a family member or friend (some one you can trust) to take the photos as you will be busy with your hostess tasks. If you have appointed a hostess, then you can have the joy of recording the party yourself.

Keep in mind that your baby will not perform correctly for the camera. They will not oblige with a smile or walk on cue. Record activities as they occur rather then trying to orchestrate the perfect poses. See Grandpa Mike's tips for taking great birthday party photos. He also has a fun kid birthday parties.com site where you will find information and tips on kid birthday party ideas, kid birthday cakes, kid birthday party game ideas and so much more.