When To Start Planning Baby’s First Birthday Party

Many moms wait until the last minute to start planning for Baby’s First Birthday Party.  Unfortunately people’s social calendar’s fill up, and last minute S&H add up quick.   This is why organized moms start weeks, or even months, in advance!  We suggest you start thinking about your baby’s first birthday party when your baby is about 44 weeks old.  By 48 weeks, you should have most of the details ironed out so you aren’t scrambling in the 11th hour.  Keep reading, we’ll tell you what you should be thinking about.

Party Time

What time is the best time to invite everyone over for your baby’s party? You want to make sure your baby is not going to be cranky, so you should pick a time when your baby will be well rested and not hungry. If your baby is on a schedule and you know when he should be napping, try to schedule the party between naps. Don’t make the party last too long. Your baby has a short attention span and after too much festivity is likely to begin getting fussy.

Invitation List

Invitation lists vary from house to house. If your main focus is your baby’s birthday don’t invite so many people that he gets easily overwhelmed. Just a couple of family members would be enough to celebrate the big day. If you want to use your baby’s birthday as a time to have a family get together try having an outdoor barbeque so that your baby doesn’t feel closed in, or inviting a few family members early to celebrate the birthday and have the rest come at the end of the party.

Decorations

Everybody loves balloons, especially babies! There is nothing silly about decorating for your baby’s first birthday party, but remember if you make it too “busy” your maybe may get stressed or overwhelmed by it and not be able to relax and enjoy his day. Try keeping the decorations low key, and in bright colors that will catch your baby’s eye. Stick to one birthday party theme and have fun with it!

Cakes

Yes, we said “cakes”.  Plural.  The best part of a first birthday is watching your baby put cake all over his face. No one really wants to eat a cake though that has been in a baby’s face! Many stores will make mini cakes, just for your baby, or you can make a little cake to decorate just for your baby’s birthday. This way your baby has his own cake that he can enjoy making a mess out of, while you and your family have a cake you can enjoy eating.

Pictures

Be sure to take lots of pictures and video! This occasion commences the end of your baby’s first year of life and will only happen once. You will definitely want pictures of every moment to look back on and to share with friends and family members that were not able to make it.  Be sure you designate a photographer, though, so you’re able to enjoy the experience without a camera lens between you and the action.

See Taking Pictures of Your Baby for tips on how to take photos like a pro!

Presents

Let your baby open his presents at his own pace, which means, this process may take hours!  For this reason, you may want to wait to open baby’s presents until your guests leave.  Most people will understand if you choose to wait till it is quieter and less active in the house to have your baby sit down and try his hand at unwrapping packages. It might be that your baby needs a nap before he is able to tackle the task of tearing off wrapping paper.

Be sure to keep a list (as you’re opening presents) of what everyone gives your baby for your thank you notes.

Thank You Notes

It is always good manners to send thank you notes for the gifts your baby receives from his first birthday party. Use the list you made as your baby opened his presents so you don’t forget anyone. You can even enclose a picture of your baby with that gift, or other pictures from your baby’s first birthday party. This is a good way to send out baby’s one year pictures to family members, without having to use an extra stamp.

Birthday Party Supply Stores

You can make preparing for Baby’s First Birthday super easy with one-stop shopping at birthday supply stores like Birthday Express and Birthday In A Box.  The concept is brilliant – invitations, party hats, plates, napkins, decorations, thank you cards – everything you can think of … all themed and relevant to today’s fads, in one convenient package.

Do You Have a Suggestion?

Share your tips and advice for how to have a successful first birthday party with other Babies Online moms in the comments below!

Are you planning a baby shower? Diaper cakes can be a creative centerpiece for your table as well as a practical gift for your expectant mom. A Diaper Cake is created out of dozens of diapers and decorated with small baby products such as combs, pacifiers, teething rings, booties and toys. The entire cake can later be taken a part and the items utilized for the new baby.

Diaper Cake Ingredients:

• 16″ disposable cardboard platter
• Baby bottle or empty cardboard towel roll
• 8 feet of 1” wide ribbon
• Rubber bands of different sizes
• Clear adhesive tape
• Approximately 50 newborn diapers
• Decorative baby items (bibs, socks, toys)
• Cake Topper (candy filled baby bottle or stuffed animal)

Diapers:
The number of diapers you will require depends on the size and number of tiers you would like your cake to have. On average 50 newborn diapers will create a standard sized 3-layered cake.

• 20 diapers for the bottom layer
• 10 to 15 diapers for the middle layer
• 5 diapers for the top layer

Assembling Your Diaper Cake:

• Use a cardboard paper towel roll or a baby bottle to roll your diapers
• When rolling your diapers, have them opened lengthwise with tabs tucked in
• Secure your diapers with a rubber band whenever necessary
• Fold and wrap a receiving blanket around each tier using tape to hold in place
• Use a ribbon to cover and hide the rubber band and as a decorative touch.
• Assemble your tiers on top of your cake platter, using adhesive tape
• Tuck your baby items in the ribbons as decorations
• Top your cake off with something fitting the theme of your party. Whether it be a small stuffed toy, a baby bottle or rattle

Other Decorative Ideas:

• Drape baby bibs over the receiving blankets
• Use baby items related only to your theme
• If using a baby bottle as the topper, fill it with candy or small baby items.

Add a professional touch by using clear cellophane. Spread a sheet out and center your cake in the middle. Gather the sides and edges and tie together with a nice ribbon or bow

A diaper cake is a fun gift to give. Be creative and happy baking!

About the Author:
Brenda McLean is a stay-at-home of two small children and is married to her husband Albert. Brenda is also the creator of http://www.your-baby-shower-guide.com/ A website providing in-depth information, fun ideas and useful tips to help guide you in your baby shower planning. Brenda and her family enjoy camping