I would like to get some ideas for my baby's 1st birthday party. I would like to have something memorable with close family and a few friends. I am so blessed to be here, alive and healthy--I almost died twice after having my last son last year. Thanks for sharing your ideas with me.
Thank you all so much for your responses. I think I am going to keep it simple and memorable by adding photos from the previous 12 months, a cookout with a baby pool and water games for the older two boys. I'll decide on a zoo or cartoon theme and go to Publix for the cake. Thanks again!
P.,
We just celebrated my son's 1st birthday and we did at a local park. We didn't have to clean the house to have people over and it was super easy!
Your children are the perfect ages to enjoy a music party. Many Kindermusik teachers provide this type of service. Parents can be involved with their children. To locate a teacher in your area go to www.kindermusik.com, find a class, and enter your zip code.
I think this should be more of a celebration of life. Mean time focusing on your 1 year old. From what I am reading it seems as though you have a lot to praise God for. I would keep it simple invite a few family members and friends who were really there for you. A first birthday cake for that precious baby. How about a picture in a nice frame of you and your family. A family member and friend could always cherish those memories with a smile.
Publix has a free 1st birthday baby cake for the baby that is so cute, I loved it for each of my children. Make it simple a cook out and have each person bring a dish of their fav side if you want. Decorate with a cute them beach items are always popular and you can get them at the dollar store. You can also put up a few little one ring baby pools and maybe a mini sandbox with those cute molds. I agree with showing some pics or slide show on the tv or something of the past year from birth until now, everyone would enjoy. Always have something of course that baby like so new fruits or mini smoothies for everyone.
For once I feel like an expert on a subject since we just went through this. For your theme, I would suggest looking at the toys and characters that your child likes. Maybe a cartoon character or favorite monkey toy. Whatever seems to make them most interactive. For my son it was "Handy Manny". He doesn't watch much tv, but my mom let's him watch the disney channel and he's hooked. So, look around at what they like. Next, the party is, in my opinion really for everyone who helped get you through this 1st year.
We divided our downstairs into sections:
1. Adult's table with fruits, chips, dips, sandwiches, and of course, THE CAKE. 1 for smashing and then the big one for everyone else. (I have also seen cupcakes that you can shape like jungle animals for easy disbursement)
2. kid's table with goldfish, gerber graduates, fruits, and veggies, water, milk, and diluted juices.
3. Paper sheets and coloring books with crayons for kids to play with.
4. If you have a bunch of kids there, don't forget goody bags. We also had a "guessing" jar for Handy's tools. (little prize for best guess)
I set out scrapbook pages full of the things he did in his first year and then asked everyone to write their favorite memory of him with them on a card for his scrapbook.
Hope this helps some.
Have FUN!
I think, more than anything, that 1 year olds love that first bite of messy cake (and getting to play with it and smear it everywhere!), and tearing the wrapping paper on presents! Choose an animal, special cartoon character, or color that your baby boy likes and that you like to decorate with (we used frogs for my first and will probably do cowboys for the second when he turns 1). Invite a few other one year olds and the people you want to celebrate with -you can make it a potluck, grill out, order pizza -whatever your thing is.
For a special memory of the day, it's nice to go to a craft store and get one of the plates or platters and markers you can have guests write messages on. You can also do the matting for framed photos with messages from guests and then a framed pic of your little one on his special day!
Honestly, I am trying to figure out the same thing. I was going to rent out a venue and everything but I realize that my son will probably not remember his first birthday. I could get my son a gift now and he rather play with the box the toy came in than the actual box. I think I am going to have it at home and do a cartoon theme of some sort. Publix gives you a free smash cake when you buy a first birthday came from them. Good luck!
The 1 yr old won't remember it. A simple party, with cake and family and friends, with pictures taken for you, family, friends and later children.
I myself was going to throw together a cook out with family and friends... and for the other kids (if it is warm) like a few cheap baby pools of water to splash and play in with a sprinkler if there is space in the yard...but if you are in an apartment i'm not so sure the pool thing would go over to well lol... I can't think of anything for an apartment..good luck
Congratulations on the upcoming first birthday of your son! One thing that we had at each boy's birthday was a display of photos from each month (1 month old, 2 months old...) so people could see his growth and changes. I thought is was a wonderful way to celebrate his first year, especially for people who maybe hadn't seen him that much.
Sounds like you have been through 1st birthdays with your other 2! I think simple is best. If you want to make it memorable---hire a photographer or ask a friend who will solely take pictures for you. If you get a photographer, they can get some amazing shots that you can later frame or make a book out of. I think the decorations and themes are fun but so not needed for a 1 yr old. You could do a theme or sports-- the other two would love that. or pick a color theme. simple. balloons. or some zoo theme.
how about having lunch, maybe a cookout, and then while people eat having a slide show of pics of the baby's first year. you can do this on your computer without having to spend a ton of money, and you can set it to sweet music...like "Sweet Baby James" by James Taylor...just an example.
Enjoy your family!!
