Whether you’re planning an intimate meeting with close friends and family or a big party, your baby’s first birthday will undoubtedly be very special, at least for you and your loved ones.
The first birthday is really for the parents and guests. Your baby will not remember anything and may feel overwhelmed. But in any case everyone can have fun. Below you can read some tips to keep your baby and guests comfortable, and happy.
Who to invite
Your baby is at a stage where he enjoys personalized attention, and may feel a little scared of strange places or people. Also, although he likes being with other babies, he still does not understand how to play with them.
These factors make some parents prefer to celebrate the baby’s first party with few guests and without much expense.
But no matter how many people invite to the party, remember that your baby will want to spend most of your time in your company, especially if you feel over-stimulated with so many people around you.
Check with other parents in our forums what their experience was when celebrating the baby’s first birthday.
How much to spend
The expense will depend on the number of guests and the type of food you want to serve. If you plan a themed party with crockery combined with the piñata and the decorations, it will cost more than if you use simpler materials to decorate. Keep in mind that food is what usually increases costs, followed by decorations and order online cake delivery in Mumbai. It is not necessary to spend more than your budget allows. At this age a small celebration is enough.
Do not worry if you cannot spend much, the important thing is to have a good time. Read our article on 10 ways to save when organizing a party.
The right moment
At this age your baby may take a nap in the morning and another in the afternoon. So make sure the party is at a time that is awake. If you will invite other babies, ask your dads for their nap schedules. Remember that when a baby starts crying, everyone follows him! It is a good idea to make a short celebration at this age.
If the celebrant falls asleep during the party, do not worry or get overwhelmed thinking that everything has been a waste. Put on a party hat, take a picture next to the cake and let him sleep. Later on it will be an anecdote that will make you laugh.
The right place
Perhaps the best place for the first birthday party is your own home, where your baby feels safe and familiar. But if your house is too small for the number of people you invited, consider having a party at a community center, a relative’s house, a park or the zoo if the weather permits. Another idea is to do it in a restaurant (preferably one that has a playground for children).
The topic
Neither your baby nor your guests of your age care about the theme of the party. Plastic glasses and plates of cheerful colors can suffice, although if you are excited to use crockery and decorations coordinated with a favorite character of your little one, there is nothing wrong with that. Just keep in mind that it will be more for the effect they cause in the photos than because your child truly appreciates them at this age.
Food
Do not complicate with the food, the idea is that you enjoy the party too! Foods that can be taken with the fingers work very well for both children and adults, and eating them will not interrupt them when talking. Some 1 year old babies already have some teeth and some do not, so think about food for both. You could prepare mini sandwiches with cheese, cubes of cheese, and spirals of cooked pasta, very small cut fruit and yogurts.
Young children will probably eat very little so think well about variety and not quantity, and avoid serving nuts, hard candy, popcorn, raisins, marshmallows and other foods that pose a risk of choking for small children. As for drinks, it is a good idea to have water, milk and fruit juices diluted for children and mineral water and some soft drinks for adults.
Do not forget the cake. Some parents like to buy a small cake just for the baby to bite and destroy! The cakes made with pancakes avoid the mess of walking with a knife between children and even using dishes. Each guest, and your baby too, can take their own little cup.
The homemade cakes are very special although in the bakeries they have many options. If you want a special design you will have to ask for it a few days in advance. When singing “Las amanitas” or “Happy Birthday” do not forget to be close to your child, since you may have more interest in touching the candle than in blowing it. Entrust to someone who takes the photos or the video of that moment so that you are not going to be left without the memory.
Games and activities
In many Latin birthdays the piñata is not missing. Again, your baby may enjoy the moment but will not remember it, so if you think about having a piñata it is best for older children.
Maybe you want to opt for the piñatas that instead of hitting them with a stick have hanging ribbons, and when pulling a ribbon in particular the piñata opens. Probably the youngest children draw attention to reach the ribbon with your hand.
Just as with a traditional piñata, be careful when breaking so that the candy does not stick on babies’ heads. And also be very careful that younger children do not eat sweets from the piñata, as they can pose a choking hazard. An alternative is to fill the piñata with balls or toys.
If you have children of different sizes, organize the game of piñata very well since the big ones tend to pounce on the sweets without caring if there are small children on the road.
At this age, pay attention to the balloons. If they prick they can scare the children of 1 year, and those that remain deflated and thrown by the floor also are a danger of suffocation for babies who crawl. If you are going to have balloons at your party, you will have to be aware of picking up the pieces of any balloon that is punctured.
Prepare lively children’s music and help your baby open gifts. Surely you will like wrappers and ribbons more than the gifts themselves, but it is a great time to take pictures.
Memories
At this age it is not advisable to give bags of candy to children. If you want to give children something to wear as a souvenir, maybe it would be better to have a book or a small toy, for example.
Birthday gift
At one year of age children prefer toys that make noises and turn on lights, so an activity center is a good option. It is never too early to read and you can find textures that are very funny and interesting.
Toys for bath time and pushing are also recommended. The latter encourage walking skills. If you want something big and lasting you could opt for a swing or a rocking horse. And if you already have many toys, the clothes never hurt.
You may also like: Are you ready for your child’s 7th birthday?
See more gifts for children 1 year old.
Some more tips
- Prepare a place that is clean to change the diaper of the invited babies.
- Designates a quiet and private place for breastfeeding moms.
- Consider installing security doors on the stairs if you are having children who crawl or walk.
- Put out of reach of children the objects of your home that are valuable, especially those that can break.
- Keep your pets out of the place where they are celebrating (for their own safety).
- Keep track of objects that are left lying around like forks and small things that babies and small children can put in their mouths. Collect them from the floor immediately.
- Have several baby toys and a safe space on the floor where they can play.
- Make sure someone takes the pictures and relax. Your baby’s first birthday is a very important day and you deserve to enjoy it.
