Baby's First Birthday
One-derful ways to observe the occasion
Happy 1st birthday, baby!
When you have small children, the old saying rings true: The days are long, but the years are short. Before you know it, your tiny newborn is a robust, toddling one-year-old. Which leads you to wonder: What's the best way to observe this exciting occasion?
Of course, your baby won't remember this day. "You're really doing it for you and for memories," says Penny Warner, a child development expert and author of Baby Birthday Parties (Meadowbrook Press). So if you want to have a celebration, plan one that works for both you and your little one.
Keep baby's temperament in mind
Make the guest list manageable
Time it right
Scheme with a theme
Plan activities for kids of all ages
Serve baby-friendly snacks
Do guests a favor
Your Baby's Temperament
For most one-year-olds, simpler is better. Too many people and too much excitement can result in a very unhappy guest of honor. But you know your baby best, so make your plans accordingly. If he loves people and other babies — the more the merrier! If she's that rare toddler who thrives in new environments, a destination party might work, although for most, a home party is best.
Also consider: Is your child an active crawler or walker? Then make sure your party space has plenty of room for exploration. Does he startle easy? If so, keep loud noises to a minimum (avoid balloons and booming background music). Is she in the throes of separation anxiety? Then keep the guest list small, and be prepared to hold her throughout the party — make sure someone is available to help you with your hostess duties.
Your baby's personality and behavior will also help you determine the guest list and timing of your celebration.
The Guest List
Who to invite? It's a tough call, because you may feel pressure not to leave anyone out of this special event. "Some moms' feelings get badly hurt when you don't invite them — they take it personally for their kid even though their kid doesn't care," says Elaine Burns, a Baltimore mom whose 2-year-old son, Jack, is already a veteran of dozens of birthday parties. Plus, for every child you invite, expect to host both his parents and possibly some siblings as well (whether you've invited them or not!). If you also have a large extended family, the list can expand exponentially.
Still, says Penny Warner, it's best to keep it simple this year. "Consider limiting your celebration to family only, and invite three or fewer other babies if you can," she advises. Host more than one party if necessary. "Have a morning party with activities for your baby's little cousins," she suggests, "and then, perhaps a day or two later, throw an evening party for adult friends and family." Or share cupcakes and games with your child's playgroup during the week, then host a family lunch on a Sunday. Let your child's needs be your guide.
Timing Is Everything
Turn once again to your child's temperament — and that of your other little guests — to determine when to have your party and for how long. "Some babies are morning babies and some are afternoon ones," says Warner. "Focus on whatever works for his highest energy level and best mood." Often, a late morning or early afternoon party works well if you'll be hosting other small children. "And it's okay to put your baby down for a nap in the middle of the party if she needs it," says Warner. "You know how long she can last!"
No matter the time of day, keep the celebration short. "An hour and a half is plenty for a group of one-year-olds," says Helene Freda, senior program developer and trainer for Gymboree Play & Music centers — a popular location for destination parties.
To Theme or Not to Theme?
Again, your baby won't be aware of whether you have decorations or matching paper plates, let alone whether they feature his favorite cartoon character. "A theme is really to help you plan," says Warner. "Let's say you choose a teddy bear picnic theme. Your mind can't help coming up with ideas: You'll start with teddy invites, and decorate with teddy bears around the room," she says. "You'll spread out a picnic cloth on the floor and have the babies eat their snacks on it. Having a theme helps with decorating, invitations, food, favors, and activities.
Should you elect to go with a theme party, consider these age-appropriate ideas:
- Beach babies
- Rubber ducks
- Bugs, ladybugs, or butterflies
- Barnyard animals
- Cars and trucks
All-Ages Activities
A small group of toddlers is easily entertained. You won't need a troupe of acrobats or a larger-than-life Elmo. "Characters are too much for kids this age," says Gymboree's Helene Freda, and mom Elaine Burns concurs: "Entertainers go over babies' heads, and they're scary."
Instead, just provide a safe, baby-proofed environment and plenty of age-appropriate toys. Freda suggests placing a mini-parachute, or a colorful blanket, on the floor to define a play area. Then add an assortment of toddler-friendly toys (be sure to have more than one of each!) such as:
- Fine-motor toys with knobs and levers to manipulate, such as play gyms or busy boxes
- Colorful plastic balls to grab, mouth, and roll, plus containers to drop them in and then dump them out of
- Push toys for beginning walkers to toddle behind
- Cloth tunnels or foam blocks to crawl through and over
If you do want some structured activity, play some favorite tunes and have parents sing along while kids bang on toy drums or shake mini maracas. If your child is enrolled in a music class, consider hiring the teacher to lead a short singing session during the party.
Music also works nicely with mixed age groups, since you're likely to be entertaining children of all ages. Big kids love to help, so enlist them to play with the little ones or make decorations. You can even set them up with their own simple craft project, decorating cookies for all the guests to enjoy or making a take-home favor such as a picture frame.
Snack Time
Depending on the kind of party and time of day, there's often no need for a full meal. Make your life easier (and your party less expensive) by providing snacks which toddlers, older children, and adults can all enjoy, suggests Burns. Avoid allergens and choking hazards such as nuts and whole grapes. Instead, try:
- Crackers and cheese
- Cut-up fruit
- Pizza
- Bagels or muffins (without seeds, nuts or raisins)
- Animal crackers, cookies or mini-cupcakes (instead of knife-and-fork cake)
- Macaroni and cheese, or plain pasta with an assortment of toppings (some can be for adults or bigger kids only)
Do Guests a Favor
Of course, there's no obligation to send guests away with a parting gift. But if you do choose to give favors, make sure they are appropriate for your smallest guests. Here are some possibilities that can do double-duty — they are safe for one-year-olds, but enjoyable for older kids too.
- Bubbles (you can even make your own personalized labels if you like)
- Crayons (large, fat, washable ones are best)
- Finger puppets
- Bean bags
- Balls (soft or inflatable)
- Inexpensive musical instruments (such as plastic drums or shakers)
