1st Birthday Party - How to Plan for your Baby's Big Day

Although you may be ready for a party, your one year old may have reached the age where they are unsure of strangers or new places. For this reason a smaller, more initimate affair perhaps at home with close family and friends may be more relevant. Your baby will be familiar with these faces and is relaxed in their home environment. Sometimes, too many people and new things all at once can overcome a baby and cause them to become distressed.

At one year old a baby's social network is usually small and intimate and that's usually how they like it. Although your baby may appear to like other babies, they do not understand how to play together yet and are more comfortable with individual attention. In addition, they may be quite attached to you at this age so it's best to keep the number of attendees small and invite people your baby is familiar with such as grandparents, godparents, close family. You may also want to extend the invitation to neighbours or friends from playgroup or antenatal/mothers group classes if this feels appropriate. 

Remember for your baby this is really just another day. At this young age they won't understand the importance of the day. Therefore, try and choose a time for the party when you baby is well rested. Your baby may be in a routine where they have one long daytime nap so perhaps a mid-late afternoon celebration may fit in well. If other babies are coming it might be a good idea to find out if the time of te party suits their routine too (only if practical, really depends on the number coming). As you all know, once a baby starts crying it seems to set the rest off and I'm sure this is not the way you want to remember this special day! Keep the length of the party brief. An hour is long time for your baby to be the centre of attention so short and sweet is best at this age.

If you are having a small intimate affair at home keep the food simple. Finger food is always good and try to choose types of food you can prepare beforehand so you don't spend the entire party in the kitchen! Sandwiches, crisps and dips are always a good choice and the option of easy hot food such as sausage rolls, potato wedges, pizza and cocktail sausages always go down well. Treats such as cakes and biscuits also always help to feel like you are at a party. If there are babies coming make sure you have finger food for them too i.e. chopped fruits, rusks, crackers, bread sticks, tiny sandwiches etc, food they can eat but still play at the same time! 

Usual party decorations such as balloons and party poppers are not really a good idea at a one year old birthday party. The noise of bursting balloons and loud bangs can scare babies and discared poppers and balloons are a serious choking hazard for babies. Music is always a good option. Most babies love music and usually at one year old they have started perfecting their own dance moves! Simple activities such as Row the Boat and Round the Garden which babies are familiar with may also be fun to do and babies usually love bubbles. At this age, they also love tearing things so keep the wrapping paper from the presents and your baby may get hours of fun ripping this up!

This doesn't have to be a flash affair. You may choose to bake your own or buy a ready made one. When making or choosing your cake allow for the number of party guests. Everyone loves a piece of birthday cake and it would be a shame if there wasn't enough to go round! Remember also to keep your baby away from the candle, chances are they will want to grab it instead of blow the flame out! Finally, make sure you take a picture of the cake and your baby blowing out her candle to put in your baby book.

By now you will have an idea of what toys or things your baby likes. Usually by one, they like something which makes a noise or lights up so some kind of learning activity toy may be good. They also usually like books, and in particular textured books are great fun for your baby. By one, they may also be learning to walk so a push-along trolley is always a great present. Bath tooys are always a winner too since most babies love their bathtime. If your baby has enough toys, then clothes are always a good option too!

Make sure your camera and video recorder is charged so you can capture the moments of this special day. Try to take a picture of your baby with as many important guests as you can i.e. grandparents, godparents, special friends etc as they are great to look back on. In addition, you can give these pictures to friends and family along with thank you cards to help them remember your baby's special day too! In addition, you may want to ask guests to write a special birthday message for your baby for them to read when they grow up. Alternatively, you might like to show your baby's first year book to guests and reminisce on the special events and milestones of the past year.