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!

1. A bit of advice – Contributed by: Phyllis C.
   Have ink pens and index cards near the exit of the party. Ask each person to write down some thoughts or advice for the mom-to-be!
2. Comforter Creation – Contributed by: Talina J.
   Purchase a light, solid color comforter and get a laundry marker. Have everyone that attends the shower sign the blanket! It’s a great keepsake and looks so cute in the baby’s room hanging on the wall.
3. Educational Party – Contributed by: Rhiana W.
   Ask everyone to bring a book to start a library for the baby, or an educational toy.
4. Helium Balloon Party – Contributed by: Jennifer
   Each guest is asked to bring a helium balloon to the party. During the party a note is attached to the balloon with the mom-to-be’s post office box address and a request for a letter from the person that finds the balloon. At the end of the party, the balloons are set loose. The letters received by the mom-to-be can be saved in the baby book.
5. Party Favors – Contributed by: Beverly B. of Oklahoma
   Purchase about 1/2 yard of flannel suitable for a baby in either a pink or blue pattern. Cut squares approximately 4 inches square. Fold in half diagonally to form a triangle and then form a tiny 3 cornered “diaper” and then pin it with a little pin. Spray with spray starch and allow to dry. Inside each little diaper, insert a paper mini baking and party cup (made by Wilton and found at craft stores and discount stores). These can then be used to hold nuts and/or mints, such as after dinner mints in the pastel colors and given to each guest at the shower.
6. Thank You Notes – Contributed by: Lorna F. of Pinopolis, SC
   Hand out envelopes (the ones for the thank you notes) and ask each person to fill in their name and address. They can get a small gift or prize for doing so if you choose, bit it certainly helps the mother to be.
7. What’s My Name? - Contributed by: Lorna F. of Pinopolis, SC
   Have everyone write down their favorite baby names on a piece of paper. This gives mom and dad a nice list to think about, and you can give a gift to the person who’s name they choose!

Do you have a baby shower game or idea you’d like to list here?
Please let us know!