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You
made it through the ups and downs of the first year, and now it’s time to
celebrate! Baby’s first birthday is a special day, and there are all
sorts of ways to celebrate.
Some
parents choose to keep the celebration simple and small – just the
immediate family. After all, baby is too young to appreciate a big bash.
But others just can’t resist and they spend months planning a lavish
affair, complete with catered food, entertainment and a lengthy guest
list.
Most
parents opt for something in the middle: A party for family and some
friends, a few decorations, traditional birthday cake and gifts for the
birthday boy or girl.
Whatever the choice, baby’s one-year birthday is a real milestone. Before
you know it, your child will be a full-fledged toddler, so take the time
to remember the last 12 months and acknowledge your accomplishments as a
parent and all that baby has learned in the first year of life.
So,
how do you plan a party that is right for you? Here are some helpful tips
that will help you plan a celebration that is right for you and baby.
Location, Location, Location.
Most baby experts agree that for a first birthday celebration, your home
is the best location as this is where baby is most comfortable. However,
using a relatives’ or a close friend’s home – especially if baby is very
familiar with the surroundings will also work. Even if money is no
object, remember that you want your child to enjoy the birthday
experience. Therefore, renting a restaurant, community center or going to
a kid-themed pizza parlor is probably just too much sensory overload for a
one-year-old. We highly recommend holding off on these types of parties
until your child is in preschool.
Short and Sweet.
Although it is tempting to invite guests for an entire afternoon and into
the evening, it works best to keep the party fairly short. This is
especially important if you have a number of children invited to the
party. Kids and babies can reach overload pretty quickly, so plan on
about two to three hours maximum. That will give everyone the chance to
mingle, hold the birthday baby, take plenty of photos, have some food and
enjoy the presents.
Weekends are for Parties.
Kids and babies do better during the day, so plan your party for a
weekend.
Baby’s Schedule.
You know your little one best, so plan the party during a time your baby
is usually awake and in the best humor. A birthday party will work at
almost any time during the day, so you shouldn’t have to miss a nap to
make the party a success.
Know Your Baby.
If your baby gets cranky with too much noise and activity, then a big
party might not be the right choice. Follow your instinct and you won’t
go wrong.
Get Older Kids Involved.
If you have toddlers or school age children coming to the party then you
need to serve snacks, food and drinks that are appropriate. Older kids
can be put to work. Ask them to help serve snacks, open gifts, pass out
the cake. They will love you for it. Have goody bags for the kids as a
thank you.
Watch Those Little Hands.
If you will have toddlers at the party, then you will want to move
breakables out of the way. Their parents may be distracted, and you don’t
want to have accidents.
Bowser Alert.
Family pets can sometimes be aggressive when there is a lot of commotion
and noise. It may be best to have your animals kept away from the party,
especially if there will be kids attending.
Keep it Manageable.
Keep a list and plan ahead as much as you can. Keep things simple so you
can enjoy the party. Remember that you will also be responsible for the
birthday boy or girl – which normally is a full-time job!
Prepare Ahead of Time.
Know what you are going to wear and what you plan to dress baby in for his
or her big day. Be sure to have a back up outfit as you will probably
need it for baby. Buy and prepare foods ahead of time. The same goes for
decorations and any planned activities.
Food and Drink.
Finger foods work well. Keep it simple with buffet-style serving and a
self-serve drink table.
Help! Don’t be Shy...Ask for Assistance.
Having help before guests arrive and during the party is essential. It’s
worth saying again: Don’t try to do it all yourself because you simply
won’t enjoy the party. Rather, assign duties to family and friends. Have
your cousin take pictures while her husband runs the video camera. Ask a
good friend to pass snacks and another person to keep the beverages
stocked. Your sister can be in charge of music and gifts, while your
Mother takes charge of keeping the kitchen in order.
Decorations and a Theme.
Picking a theme might sound silly since this is a birthday party for a
one-year-old. However, a theme – as long as it is a common one -- is
actually a good idea because it can make your life much easier. Say you
choose a princess theme. Then, when you send out the invites, pick out
decorations and select the cake, you don’t have to think too much. You
know it is going to be pink and there will probably be a crown or a pretty
girl in a lovely dress! A theme can also help the guests select an
appropriate gift. For example, if the invitation sports a superhero
theme, your guests might select toys, clothes or room accessories to
match.
Speaking of presents, here are some ideas for the birthday baby.
First Birthday Gift Ideas
What
to give baby on the big day? You can always ask the parents or another
relative to see what baby and the parents might need.
In
fact, if you are giving a very expensive or a large-sized gift we highly
recommend checking with one or both of the parents ahead of time. You
might be disappointed to learn that they don’t have room in the house for
a four-story doll house or a life-sized rocking horse. But if you have
your heart set on making your gift a surprise, then be sure to provide a
gift receipt. A gift receipt is always a good idea for any gift and will
score you points with busy parents.
Following are some gift ideas that will get you started along the right
path to finding the perfect First Birthday gift.
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Pictures make great
memories and today there are so many custom items that can be made using
pictures. Do some searching online to see the options (clothes,
pillows, totes, blankets, for example).
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A gift that matches the
nursery decor is great, but keep in mind that the birthday child will
soon be walking and talking so you want a gift that will be appropriate
for a little person and not an infant.
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Picture frames or photo
albums are always safe, thoughtful gifts.
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Chances are that the
parents are now quickly running out of baby clothes that still fit, so
toddler-size outfits (that allow for easy diaper changes) make great
gifts. Everyday clothes made of soft materials are the most practical.
Fancy dress clothes for a toddler will probably be worn infrequently.
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Stuffed animals are a
great choice as the child will love them. Check to make sure it is safe
for a young child. Then, go crazy picking out some fun choices.
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If you have the budget,
you might want to consider a theme gift with clothes and a coordinating
stuffed animal, game and books.
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Speaking of books, they
are always wonderful choices. However, don’t affix a nameplate or write
in the book as the parents may already have a copy.
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Toys are always a
welcome gift. There are so many toys available today that promote
creativity and learning. Ask friends or go online to see the many
options. Here’s a tip that applies to all children’s toys: The best
toys stimulate brain activity by allowing the child to interact. A toy
doesn’t have to be too complicated or highly computerized. Often simple
activity toys that are sturdy and durable will be the best choice.
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Other learning tools for
a growing child include books, puzzles, music and DVDs. We suggest
buying from a name-brand manufacturer with a proven track record and
making sure that the item is age-appropriate.
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Bathing will soon become
a big part of the growing child’s life and bath time can be so much fun
with the right toys and accessories.
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One more thing about
toys. Keep in mind that the toy should be super safe with no small
pieces that could be swallowed or sharp edges that could harm. If you
are unsure about your choice, then it probably is not appropriate.
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Personalized gifts are
almost always a huge hit, because it shows that you took that extra
effort to buy something just for the birthday boy or girl. Make sure
that you spell the child’s name correctly – a huge gaffe as personalized
gifts usually can’t be returned.
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