First Birthday Party Do’s and Dont’s

By
Adrianne
-
7

So apparently when everyone tells you that time flies once you have a baby, to soak it all in because its over before you know it…well, they aren’t lying. My sweet baby boy, who was just born yesterday {right?!} is turning a year in a little over a month! A month! I am in utter shock. Now here comes the part that I have been anticipating {in both good and stressful ways} for a few months…the first birthday party.

521941_10102351268915141_279011413_nI love throwing parties, dinners, cocktail hours, you name it. But never have I ever thrown a first Birthday party. My mind is going in a million directions. People keep asking me, ‘so do you have it all planned out perfectly already’? and to be honest- I have sent out the invite…and thats it! I used Paperless Post, which is an incredible online invitation company. You can make your cards cute AND free, or make them a little fancier and have to pay a little. Of course I went with the free option!

Now here are our details for the party. Its going to be at 3pm, which I figured was good for naps and food times. We are going to have sweets and snacks, and drinks for kids and adults;)  The main age of kids will be under 2, with some possible being up to 8, but mainly under 2. The party will be mainly outside, but the house will be open to all.

Here are some questions that I am just clueless with: With having almost all the kids be younger, do I need to have games? Also, what are some great and easy kid snacks that I should have? I know what Bray likes, but I have not a clue what other 1-2 year olds like- so give me your tips and experience!!!!

And last but not least, what is the best gift for a one year old??

Thanks so much for all of your feedback! This first time mama, who will undoubtably be a mess on the party day, really appreciates it.

 

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7 COMMENTS

  2. congrats! it does go fast but it get more fun every day. so here is my suggestion for stuff to do and gifts. (i have a 3 year old and a 3 month old so we have been/thrown a few kid parties.)
    stuff to do- bubbles, chalk, any kind of balls or outdoor games, if you are brave some paint too.
    as for present, for the first birthday we did a cool idea where instead of gifts we asked everyone to bring an object (smaller than a shoe box) that would represent the past year. we put everything in a time capsule (shoe box) and wrapped it up and put instructions on it that it can be opened on their 18th birthday. for example, i put a copy of her invite, my husband put in his blackberry, we received a little replica of the space shuttle that took it’s last flight, a copy of a newspaper from that day, etc. in my opinion, they have so many toys and aren’t really going to remember a specific toy so i though it would be neat for them to see what was happening 18 years from their first birthday. hope this helps and enjoy the day!

  3. Yay for Bray’s first bday. I recently did Oliver’s and it was a lot of fun! We had kids from newborn up to 10+, so I had to have a bunch of options. I had those small cartons of goldfish crackers, cheese sticks (string cheese), juice boxes and milks, & pj&j sandwiches. Also, instead of cake, we made cupcakes for the kiddos. Everything worked out great. For gift, Oliver got the “Rocktivity” motorcycle and is obsessed with it. He loves to “walk” and push it around as well as ride in it and listen to the tunes. He absolutely LOVES it – here is the link….
    https://www.diapers.com/p/playskool-rock-tivity-walk-n-roll-rider-blue-510152?site=CA&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=cpc_D&utm_term=HS-2025&utm_campaign=GooglePLA&CAWELAID=1628774827&utm_content=pla&ca_sku=HS-2025&ca_gpa=pla&ca_kw=%7Bkeyword%7D

    Good luck!

  5. For my son’s first birthday, we did a carnival theme! We didn’t have many games since he really couldn’t participate, but we did a fun photo booth w/ props and adults and kids all enjoyed that. Gift ideas: sometimes nice to ask guests to bring a book in lieu of gift, we got my son a Schoenhut mini piano, and he still loves it! (he’s almost 3) Food ideas: veggies in a cup, fruit bowl or fruit cut for kiddos, sandwiches, hot dogs, yogurt, individual apple sauce squeezes! Also, kids that age love temporary tattoos! Happy planning mama!!

  6. Party activities – water table, kiddie pool, splash pad was a big hit at our last party but since you’re having it at home maybe a sprinkler, bubble machine, outdoor toys

    food – little finger sandwiches cut with cookie cutters, fruit salad, crackers, chopped cheese, smoothies, my daughter didn’t like her smash cake at all!

    We also had a slideshow running on our TV that had pictures of her first year. Our USB drive just plugged into the TV. This was fun for guests during the party but we watched it after the presents. It was a good way to wrap up the party.

    Enjoy!

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