The first year of life is amazing, and it should definitely be celebrated with a special event when your little one finally moves from the zero spot to securing their first birthday. While your baby has grown rapidly, matured quickly, and learned so many new things this first year, chances are they won’t remember much about their birthday. They may not understand the concept of opening presents and will likely be so surprised that you’re letting them dive headfirst into a sugar-laden cake—they’ll probably overdose on the first bite. Sadly, birthday parties for a one-year-old are often more fun for the adults than for the guest of honor.
Still, there is a wide array of things marketed to parents like you, eager to spend an immense amount of money getting the perfect supplies from Disney or Sesame Street. You will no doubt be excited to send out invitations to family members from all over and over-plan the day to the point that your baby becomes overstimulated and cranky by noon. And yes, this is understandable! However, you can save yourself a lot of time and effort by scaling down the day a bit. Not to mention the disappointment you might feel when your one-year-old, with 100 people staring at him, crumbles under the pressure of being watched while eating his cake. They might as well be standing over him with forks chanting, “Cake! Cake! Cake! Cake!” Because to your one-year-old, that’s exactly how it feels.
How to Plan a More Enjoyable First Birthday Party
There are some simple things you can plan to properly celebrate the day without going overboard. If you have friends with children about the same age, invite them. Try not to invite too many people, as the sheer number of guests will make the day too hectic, and you won’t enjoy it. Close family members are also great candidates to invite—they won’t be expecting much more than cake, ice cream, and a few great pictures to add to their family scrapbook or post on Facebook. Plan the event for the early morning or evening, when your baby has had ample time to nap.
There are some things that are best avoided if you’re planning a birthday party for a one-year-old. First, steer clear of renting places like jump houses or bowling alleys. These venues tend to have too many older children, and you’ll have a hard time keeping your toddler from getting hurt. Your only line of defense will be to climb up into the looming slides and towering playhouses yourself (not ideal). You should also avoid inviting clowns or even your child’s favorite character to the party. There are few, if any, one-year-olds who enjoy seeing a massive creature wearing a mask, colorful makeup, and dancing around their living room—it will likely frighten them. Another bad idea is planning a vacation to a place like Disney or any event that will take more than an hour or two. Whatever festivities are in store, your baby should not be forced to sit still or be the center of attention for too long.
Of course, getting decorative cakes, cups, treats, and party favors is fun. Your baby will probably enjoy the balloons more than any gift you could buy. Speaking of gifts—buying for a one-year-old can be tricky. Not only are toys for this age group expensive, but they also often require skills that your child may not yet have. The problem is, if your child is already walking or cruising around, many ideal toys will quickly be outgrown and boring within a few weeks. Baby toys, in general, are often wasted on the person buying them—they always seem more entertaining in the packaging than when they’re cluttering up your living room floor. If aunts, uncles, cousins, or other people ask what to get your baby, be honest. Clothes are great. Shoes are great. As a big gift, you could even buy your child a toddler bed or something for their room to celebrate the occasion. Some of the best gift ideas are simply the wrapping paper, a large box for them to play in, and, of course…the balloons. If people feel hesitant about giving your one-year-old a pair of jeans, try to find toys that you think your child might actually like. Some of the most long-lasting toys for young children continue to be balls, blocks, and toys that play music.
Once the party is planned, invitations sent, and arrangements made, you can rest assured that your child will likely be sick that day—call it Murphy’s Law or just bad luck. Try your best the week before to keep them away from germy places and make sure you have plenty of infant Motrin or Tylenol on hand so you’re prepared.
One really nice idea is to celebrate your own growth during this year. Whether this one-year-old is your first or your fifth child, chances are they’ve taught you a lot. Rather than focusing solely on the child, plan a date with your spouse without the kids and reflect on how quickly your life is changing. You may want to take a stroll down memory lane by reviewing old videos and pictures, so you’re reminded of just how fast time flies. This way, you’ll remember to enjoy the moment. Videotape the day because there’s no way your one-year-old will remember this birthday in a year from now—or in 20 years. Most importantly, remember that your child’s first birthday party is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
