It seems like less than a week has flown by since the birth of your precious newborn, yet the calendar shows that it’s her first birthday in less than a few weeks! After you’ve gotten over the calendar shock, you may find yourself perplexed as to what kind of birthday celebration is appropriate for her first birthday. Exactly how long should the party be? Should you dress her in a first birthday shirt? Should parents of other little ones be included as guests? Should you have other baby sitters on hand to make sure the big day runs smoothly?
Grab a cup of coffee, sit back and relax: this article is stuffed with the best party-planning techniques that will turn you into a birthday pro – and although she won’t remember the party, you can bet that the other guests will be talking about it for years to come!
Keep It Short and Sweet
While older children can have a birthday party that lasts all afternoon (and possibly into the evening), you need to keep it short and sweet, since your baby will become cranky without her nap. Don’t plan a weekend marathon; instead, block out a couple of hours on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon.
Creativity = Entertainment
If other small children are coming to the party, then you will need some creative ideas for keeping them entertained while the adults chatter. Set up a large play area within eye-shot that’s full of cuddly stuffed animals, fun toys and colorful games. If your baby doesn’t have an older cousin who can watch the children, hire a baby sitter to keep an eye on the kids so that you can enjoy the party. Remember, the more creative the toys, the more likely it is that the little ones will play without any mini-fiascoes!
In addition to fun toys, be sure to keep older children entertained with games and activities. Buy new coloring books or set up a treasure hunt to keep them occupied while you keep the party running smoothly!
Have the Birthday Girl Stand Out
What’s more precious than seeing your little girl dressed up for her birthday? Seeing her dressed up in a personalized rhinestone shirt! Not only will the adults will laugh and coo at her in her fashionable outfit, but it can be saved as an heirloom for years to come. Besides, even though she’s only a year old, she still needs to stand out from the crowd on her big day – and a personalized rhinestone shirt will help her to do just that!
Make the Cake Fun.
Although a one-year-old might not appreciate a theme birthday party as much as older children, you can still have a colorful birthday cake that all the adults will love. Why not try popular birthday cake trends like a ladybug or her favorite cartoon character? Whatever you choose, the colorful cake will certainly catch her attention – and might even be subjected to a preemptive taste test!
