1St Birthday - San Jose,CA

www.etsy.com has handmade/personal party decoration kits. I found some really pretty ones on there for girls when I was trying to plan my son's first birthday. Have fun and congrats on almost making it through the first year!

You don't need. Theme at all. We did butterflies at my daughters first party just to give out a couple butterfly goodies in a gift Bag and butterfly pinata for. Big kids and butterfly cake. You can do something that simple with anything. And i love going on etsy.com for inexpensive custom i.vitations you print at Walmart just adorable. Good luck

We did not have a specific theme for either of our children's first birthdays. Of course, the invitations had a big 1 on them! For our son, I had alot of balloons, votive candles on the food table, and his 1 year old pictures everywhere!! Instead of a large cake, we had a small cake for him to dive into and cupcakes that all had a candle. We asked our guests to please make a wish for him since he was not old enough to make his own and blow out the candle. We did the same for our daughters first birthday! It still brings tears to my eyes thinking about it!! That was something special that everyone still remembers and talks about.

What about ladybugs? cowgirl? surfer girl?
I didn't have a real theme for my son's 1st. There were some things with airplanes but it was mostly primary colors.
My co-worker's friend did one with orcas because she kept dreaming the baby was a whale when she was pregnant. haha I thought that was a cute idea.

I agree that you really won't need to do a specific theme for your daughter, but since this marks a special occasion, I'd focus more on making it as sentimental as possible for you to remember and to pass along to her when she's able to understand the significance of it.

Babies love balloons and opening presents. The rest is really all for the parents - the cake is fun if you have a kid that is prone to being messy (our son was so dainty and only got a smudge on his upper lip).

Since her first birthday is such an accomplishment, I'd almost suggest getting your favorite pictures from your pregnancy, delivery, first year together, putting them into 8X10 black and whites, mount them on some paper and have those as your theme with whatever color you think most resembles her.

Good luck and congratulations on such an important milestone.

Special for whom? I realize you have some very complicated emotional issues over this, but your one year old daughter is not going to remember this birthday. The theme you use should simply make this day as much fun for her as possible, knowing that it's just for the moment. Beyond that, think about who is attending the party and what would make the day enjoyable for them. Most importantly, keep it simple. I would love to help you out by suggesting a theme that fits your wishes, but for the life of me, I just can't think of anything. Has your daughter shown any preferences in colors, characters in books... or in videos if you allow her to view them? These are areas that might suggest a theme that would be most appropriate for her. If nothing sticks out, then just pick something and go with it.

There are many ways to celebrate this special day with your daughter. I also have no need for the standard theme as my son is a Christmas eve baby. I would recommend a green birthday. Hand made decorations, cake(s), and foods that are sustainable. Have a decoration making party with friends and Family. Grab paper products, glues, paints and other (reusable) embellishments from each household and with heads together come up with a great decorating theme. After the Idea is agreed upon make the decorations and have some snacks to keep the production going.. Have a seamstress(ster) help with table cloths that can be reused, maybe. Any carpenters- have them include their talents as well. Once finished you'll have recycled, reused and made some of the most original decorations ever. Your daughter will remember because you will never forget.
Her hand or foot is always a good template for...flowers, steps, etc.

Good luck and Happy early birthday.

Her birthday will be special no matter what you do, because she exists and is healthy and strong, and she is your little miracle. Whether you have a big blowout party with a theme and entertainment or just a cupcake and some hats for the immediate family, you will never forget that day.

From your daughter's perspective, you may want to keep it small and simple -- just a few friends and family members. One-year-olds can get very freaked out if there's too much hoopla, and a big fancy party may result in a bunch of photos of a beautifully dressed and screaming toddler. July is a great time of year for a barbecue or a picnic. Keep it simple, don't worry if she gets dirty, and let her enjoy a little cake. And don't forget to enjoy some yourself as well.

Hallmark.com has party supplies that you can personalize with your child's picture and name. Have fun!

Of course she won't have a clue what a theme party is at one, but hello...the party is for you not for her and that is perfectly fine! I say go for it, Girl! Have a doozy of a party and rock out that your little one has hit this big milestone and that you are all happy and healthy, esepcially since it sounds like you had a rocky start!

Maybe I sound totally self absorbed and bitchy, but I truly am not. I just think that you're right, this is a celebration of her life and reaching one year. Invite kids and adults alike and just have fun! Is there anything that she really likes? When my daughter was one we did a dog themed party b/c she was IN LOVE with our dog and all dogs. I did it up big and had everything part of the theme, even the food! You could center it around anything really, there is way more out there than you think for decorations, food, treat bags, etc...the internet is your friend!

Since it's in July, you could do an "America" type theme...you could send out invites with Uncle Sam on them saying "Daughter" Wants YOU at her First Birthday! Or whatever...but if it's after the 4th you could probably get a good deal on red/white/blue stuff. Okay, don't take this the wrong way...but since you mentioned it...you could also do a "Million Dollar Baby" theme. You could do invites with bills and put her face in the middle...do all the decor, cake, etc. in like golds and greens. You could really have a blast with that too and if everyone you would invite is aware of your struggles it would be kind of cute, because really, that's exactly what she is and why not celebrate it! Balloons is also a fun theme (which I am considering for my son's birthday) b/c all one year olds and kids in general love balloons. You can do a ton of themey stuff with that too!

Have fun!

Hi M., have you seen the catelogs for www.1stwishes.com
It's part of the Birthday Express family and is a catelog full of 1st bday stuff from decorations to clothes, party bags, cake toppers. I've seen just about every character, animal and color. You can also personalize with your childs picture as well.
It sounds like angels might be appropriate for your little one. You can put a spin on it and make a fairy party. Or a "little blessings" party (look for baptism themed stuff and fill in with a few similarly colored bday decorations)... get an empty book and let everyone write a message for your daughter to enjoy as she gets older.
Maybe have an activity for the kids to decorate a take home gift or a snack (kids love decorating cookies). You could give favors, like a flower bulb in an organza pouch or tissue paper with a cute printed label tied with a rafia bow(the pot might be pricey) for guests take home as thanks for the support that your family has recieved. At my sisters wedding, her favors were cards that are embedded with flower seeds. Their names, the date and a message was printed on the card for each guest to take and plant. It's like a gift of something that will eventually become more.

I just had my son's 1st Birthday and decided to go with a primary colors theme. I had the linens and ballons in theme. I used beach pails for the centerpieces. I filled them with gumballs and stuck the chocolate suckers I made in them. I also did a no sugar theme (except for the cupcakes). I went with agua frescas, we had a taco bar with rice and beans. I had a baker make a cake with no sugar for my son. It was banana bread with yogurt topping and it was sooo good. It was a lot of work (would have been easier if my caterer didn't bail at the last minute) but so worth it. Good luck

She's 1. Congratulations!! This party is for YOU. YOUr chance to celebrate what YOU have accomplished. What would you enjoy? When my first nephew turned one his mommy had a party with all of her friends. Everyone that was there for her during her pregnancy and helped her emotionally or gave her some "thing" she treasured. She ate chocolate for the first time in about two years, and she drank coffee for the first time in about two years. She had a keg of beer. I'm not saying "go get a keg". What I mean is this is more for you than her. She wont remember a thing. Is there a vacation you have always wished you could take? Paris? Disney World? Turn your house into Hawaii. Your wonderful littel miracle girl will love and have fun with whatever you choose. Especially if YOU are having fun.

Check out http://karaspartyideas.blogspot.com/search/label/1st%20bi...
She has some AMAZING ideas for parties. She is a party planner so some of her ideas are different and may be hard to find or could be pricey.

It's great inspiration to get creative and crafty! :)

Good luck and have fun!!

Hello M., I want to Congradulate you all for your wonderful blessings. As an event planner I would suggest that you have a "Giving Back or Help Someone Else" Party. This is where instead of gifts people donate towards something. Example Standup 2cancer.org, you buy a star and the money goes to researce, or all the gifts go towards children hospital and get story books or puzzels, or check with the Knights of Columbus and have people donate towards a wheelchair that can be donated to someone in need, or see if your doctors have a special things that they support, we are going to get shoes for the Foster Children Program that some of the bedding stores are advertizing, or even the Hefier program, where no matter how small the amount it goes to helping people from around the world learn to take care of themselves. It all comes to being a way to help another to be as Thankful as you are for what you have been given.
I know how it can be hard to just to princess or Dora, when you have been given the greatest blessing of all the life of your child. Feel free to contact me for any help.

you usually see the first birthday themes like on birthday express.com ..etc..But try going to a card stock/paper store where they have millions of different themed papers there and then choose the one you want and create your own invitation.

When I threw a baby shower I found one that had the characters from Hey Diddle Diddle and used the rhyme to create a great little invitation .

At 1 year old your dd will not be into the theme parties. I have 2 little ones. She'll probably like some balloons because of the colors but parties at this age are usually more for the parents. Get her a cupcake or a small cake. She'll probably wear most of it. Some balloons and the general rule is invite as many "small" guests equal to or close to the birthday age. Sing "Happy Birthday!!", take lots of pictures, and enjoy your angel's special day. Congratulations!