Planning Baby’s First Birthday Party

Let’s face it, birthday parties for kids can get a little out of control. It used to be simple, a celebration with family and a few friends that included cake and ice cream and everyone was happy! Nowadays it’s not a true party without a pony! Planning a first birthday party should be a simple affair but for some reason some people tend to get carried away. As I think of my daughter’s first birthday party, I’ve taken a few things into consideration with my planning. I’ve taken cues from some friends and decided that while it should be a celebration we will certainly keep it easier than others we’ve seen.

Celebrating at home, particularly for a first birthday, is not only acceptable but expected. The real focus of a first birthday is the cake! Everyone attending is fully expecting to see your baby covered in cake by the end of the party, so this should be the highlight of the event. If you make it about anything else like the location, you are simply wasting your hard earned dollars.

Serve a simple meal and everyone will be happy. You don’t need to break your neck cooking up a feast. Let’s remember that this is about a little birthday person, and a feast is honestly wasted on them. I plan to serve a nice but easy pasta bar. I have some friends that have done cake and ice cream, and others that have done hamburgers and hot dogs.

A theme is okay but let’s not get carried away! I’m all about the theme, a princess one for example is super cute. However getting carried away is unneccessary and can be saved better for later birthday parties when the child actually appreciates it.

Having a first birthday party is of course essential and exciting. Keep it simple and make it all about that little baby and their big old birthday cake!