Planning your child’s first birthday party is always going to be special. With a bit of forward planning and some inspiration, it need not be an overwhelming task either. Friends love getting involved in children’s birthdays so get them involved, give them some jobs and everyone will have a fantastic time. If you need any tips, we’ve pulled together a few ideas that might be useful when planning and on the day.
- Plan around nap time with a brunch or tea party
- Use photos to decorate
- Choose a theme to cover decorating and catering
- Or draw inspiration from mother nature
- Save time and money by going digital
- Plan simple activities
- Bake a cake the DIY way
- Make a time capsule
- Take photos before everyone arrives!
- Designate party photographers
1. Plan around nap time with a brunch get-together or an afternoon tea party!
Consider what time the party will start and finish based on your child’s nap time. Well-rested babies are the happiest after all. It might be getting together over brunch will work well for babies that are wide awake in the mornings (or don’t tend to nap). Alternatively, a post-nap afternoon tea could work well.
2. Use photos to decorate
Decorations don’t need to be complicated or expensive. Guests will enjoy seeing some photos if you can print a few of those. A DIY collage is a nice way to show these depending on where you are. Or you could attach photos or polaroids to mini pegs and attach these to string. Your guests will enjoy seeing some photos of their life so far even if it’s only a few.
3. Choose a food-based theme to cover both your decorating and catering bases
There’s no need to throw a party with a theme at this age. Sometimes it can help with the decorating and catering. Easy theme choices could be food related like pineapples, watermelons and ice-creams. Depending on what you have access to or fancy making, other themes could be rockets, monsters or rainbows. If you’re in need of some inspiration, Pinterest is always a good place to start!
4. Or draw a little inspiration from mother nature
Another theme idea is to draw on mother nature. For example, adopt a summer-related theme with beach umbrellas or flamingoes or use snowflakes for a winter wonderland theme. During autumn, the theme could be based on colourful leaves or pumpkins. With flowers, rabbits or unicorns.
5. Save time and money with digital invitations
While physical cards make nice keepsakes, digital invitations are much easier and there are plenty of options online. Just make sure the invites go out in plenty of time so guests have time to respond. Three weeks in advance is a good rule of thumb. It’s always good to include the start and finish time too.
6. Plan simple activities
Depending on where the party is being held, a sensory play area, ball pit or bubbles might be nice for young children. For any older children attending, there are plenty of games they can play that require little organisation.
7. Bake a stunning cake using an easy DIY kit
Of course you want your baby’s first birthday cake to be special. But that doesn’t mean you have to be a star baker or spend a fortune on a customised cake from a boutique bakery. There are plenty of great cake options around and no-one needs to know if you don’t make it yourself.
8. Make a time capsule
Before the party, decorate a small keepsake box. At the party, set out paper and pens and ask guests to write a short wish for the future or a piece of advice for your child to read when they’re older. Store the box away and bring it out on a future birthday party – 13, 16, 18, or even 21!
9. Take staged photos before anyone arrives
Trust us on this one! You’ll want to take photos of the happy birthday boy or girl before the party kicks off. After all, there’s no way to know how they’ll react! And you’ll also probably want photos of the whole, untouched party and food set-up before your guests dig in.
10. Designate party photographers
As a parent, it’s important for you to enjoy this special day with your one-year-old! But you’ll probably still want photos of the party itself. Task a few close friends or family members with capturing specific moments for you. This will also ensure that you’ll actually get to be in the photos!
For awesome birthday gift ideas for one-year-olds, check out our website!
What do clams do on their birthday? They go out and shell-a-brate!
