Your baby is quickly approaching one-year-old. His first big birthday is around the corner and you are frantically searching for ideas. Everyone is excited about their baby’s first birthday, but ideas about what makes a good first birthday party can vary from intimate parties to block party size gatherings.
A few rules of thumb will help make your baby’s first birthday party fun, even for you. If you don’t set some boundaries you will end up stressed out and miss a memorable milestone in your child’s life. Don’t get so busy planning and spending money that you forget to celebrate.
Baby’s First Birthday Party: Keep it simple
From decorations to invitations keep your child’s first birthday party simple. Use any theme or idea that your baby enjoys, but don’t go overboard buying decorations that your baby will never remember. Sure, you’ll want to have photographs, but the pictures that will mean the most to your baby are the pictures that include family and friends who were there on her first birthday.
It’s easy for birthday party ideas to start out small and grow into grand, dramatic events. Set your limitations before you even begin planning.
Baby’s First Birthday Party: Who and How Many to Invite
First birthday parties are usually best if the number of guests remains small. Get a grip on your birthday party invitation list by really thinking about what the first birthday party means to you, the child, close family members and friends.
Gathering a bunch of one-year-olds for a birthday party may seem like a good idea, but your one-year-old doesn’t even understand the concept of friendship. Your baby responds to people he knows. He responds to love and affection. Keep that in mind when you make your guest list.
The most memorable celebration will probably be that small support group of loved ones who want to gather to celebrate his life. There will be plenty of time for play dates and birthday parties full of happy, squealing kids later.
Baby’s First Birthday Party: Deciding on a Theme
It’s cost effective to keep the theme simple. Cars and trains for a boy’s party, pink bows and dolls for a girl’s party will be fine. It’s also easy to pick a theme your child likes, like a Sesame Street character, Barney, or some other character your child may recognize.
The important thing to remember is that this is a celebration of your child’s first birthday, not a celebration of Elmo, Dora, or any other commercialized character. Simple “Happy Birthday” decorations and balloons prove just as fun and effective birthday party decorations as elaborate themed parties, and they cost you a lot less.
Baby’s First Birthday Party: Where to Have the Party
Go ahead and fall for Gymboree’s birthday party offer. Enjoy yourself playing with several other children and their moms at your child’s birthday party that is a glorified Gymboree sales pitch that you helped finance. I’m not picking on Gymboree, little people gym’s, art schools, and a number of other party oriented places would love to host your party.
Why not take your child to the park instead? Are you afraid the adults will not be entertained? What’s the purpose of the party? If you want to entertain the adults why not host the party at Charley’s Bar and Grill. Find a place where your one-year-old will enjoy herself.
A nearby park will give other young relatives a place to play and something to do. Your home is a great place for your baby’s first birthday party. He is comfortable at home, and your primary concern is his comfort and celebration.
Baby’s first birthday is such an exciting time and ideas begin to flood your mind. You want it to be special and memorable, but don’t get caught in a trap of commercialism and competition with other parents to have the best first birthday party on the block.
A stress-free, fun birthday will put your baby’s comfort and needs first, be short enough that your little one doesn’t get crabby and neither do you, and be inexpensive enough that you have money left over to put into her college fund.
