Your baby’s first birthday is an exciting event and you’ll want to celebrate it in style. Invite a few people who are special in your baby’s life, such as one or two close friends, and grandparents, and plan a small commemoration of the event.
Regardless of what day the birthday falls on, a weekend party often works best to avoid conflicts with employment. Keep the party short, about one to one-and-a-half hours, so baby will not get over-stimulated and cranky. And don’t forget to schedule it around nap time. On the other hand, if you have several stay-at-home moms among your circle of friends, having the party in the daytime makes sense as older siblings are in school and babies who are well-rested from their night’s sleep are often more tolerant in the mornings.
You’ll want to keep the size of your party manageable, so an ideal number is five toddlers or babies. It’s not necessary to plan the celebration around a meal, but do consider a few finger foods. Check with your guests first regarding possible food allergies.
If you do have a bigger guest list, it’s a good idea to have a friend or relative assisting you who knows your baby well and with whom he or she is comfortable. You’ll be busy with hosting duties but your baby may be clingy with all the excitement and want to be held. You’ll be glad of having someone who can take baby for a diaper change or mop up a spill while you are busy with other duties. Have a variety of toys for the children to keep them amused and occupied.
You may have to provide a cake that’s egg-free as many infants have not been introduced to eggs yet at this age. An ice cream or frozen yogurt cake makes a nice alternative. If you are going the traditional route, a banana or applesauce cake is a good idea as cakes that include fruit often contain less sugar. A carrot cake is a nice idea too. Consider making cupcakes instead of the usual two-layered cake for the convenience of the smaller portions. Muffins are fine too.
You likely don’t need to plan much for activities, but if you wish, you can plan a couple of games for the adults. Baby Bottle Bowling is simply 10 baby bottles filled with water or rice for stabilization which are then placed in bowling position and participants take turns throwing a ball at them from a respectable distance in an attempt to get a strike.
Most important, don’t forget the camera. The first birthday is an important occasion as babies have changed and grown more in the past twelve months than in any other similar period in their lives. Start an album of birthday celebrations, save a copy of the invitation and fill it with pictures every year for your child to treasure as he or she gets older.
Reaching this impressive milestone is meaningful for the whole family, especially if it’s your first child. Not only has baby evolved from a newborn to a toddler, but you have come through those night feedings and getting to know your baby, developing parenting skills along the way. It’s a major accomplishment for everyone, so plan now to enjoy it!
