My Son's 1St Birthday-- Any Ideas?!

At one, a group away from home is often overwhelming and stressful for mom and baby alike. I would recommend a home party with a couple of friends with toddlers, perhaps 2-3 at the most. You could do a theme - like a favorite Disney movie. My brother and sister in law had a Nemo party for their 2 year old. Homemade Nemo cake, party supplies, little fish decorations hung from the ceiling, etc. Many of his presents were theme-driven too. Like a stuffed Nemo. At his age, a little goes a long way and will be much more pleasant for all involved. Keep it low key and take lots of pics.

I agree with most of the previous responses. The first birthday is really more for the adults rather than the child. We had a cookout in the backyard so all the kids could play, mostly cousins and a few friends. We did have a bubble machine that we bought at Walmart for $5 that we set off so the kids could play. We had cake and ice cream, we got the cake from Kroger where they also gave us for free a small cake just for the baby to dig in. Everyone got to visit, the kids got to play. It was pretty simple. And my theory is keep it simple, don't stress over it, then you won't have any fun.
Hope this helps,
S.

If you live in a house, you could have a bounce house party with the bounce house for the kids. I don't know what area you live in, but two years ago I rented a bounce house with the clown included and the she painted different items such as a butterfly, spiderman, flower etc.
on the kids. They enjoyed it.

I'm not sure how many kids you are inviting. I hang out with about 12 moms with babies. So, everyone is at about the same age.

We had my son's b-day at Petland. They have a party room and bring in all the animals. It was great! We also went to a 1st b-day party 2 weeks ago at gymboree and it was a blast. We've also attended about 7 other 1st b-day parties in homes. Those were fun too. I've noticed that most people just keep it simple as far as just cake and drinks. Also, it's important to offer a sugar free cake for the little ones as a lot of the moms don't want their kiddos hyped up on sugar. Every party had trays of bannanas and cheerios along with juice and whole milk. One party had the disposable sippy cups.

Hi A., for my three children on their 1st birthday, I had family and friends bring something special to put in a box to be opened on their 18th birthday. My grandmother brought a letter she had written, others brought poems, photos, momentos, saving bonds, etc. I put in things like the sonogram pictures, the umbiblical cord stump, special baby outfits. And the really cool thing is that I still add things thoughout all these years, ticket stubs to shows, letters about funny things they do or say, their kindergarden cap and gown. I think it is something they will really cherish when they get older. Besides, do you really need more toys and clothes for your one year old who will outgrow the clothes in a few months, and be tired of the toys in as little of time.

I agree with A. C, the first birthday party and sometimes second is really for you more than them and its their FIRST... We invited EVERYONE we knew and it was also sort of a welcome party for those who had not made it into town or what have you to see him. we had a big bash for each one and made it really special with a magician for the kids (most of the kids in attendance at all of our parties have been a little older. just a few were the same age...) a lunch buffet, huge cake, bubble machine, bounce house... we had a blast and then after that we did chuck e cheese and one year we had a party at the Heard museum for my son who turned 3 last november. we had a dinosaur party when the dinos were there and that was a blast...

Any way, Have a blast they only celebrate their firsts one time!

ps, I own Celebrity Party favors and if you need any party favors made for you give me a call and I would love to put some ideas together for you.-
A. J
www.celebritypartyfavors.com

Keep it VERY simple! It's more for you than for him. It's so adorable to watch them on this milestone. Congratulations and I hope he has many many more!

Blessings!
L.

We did a BBQ and had family over, I ordered the cake from Albertsons (for 1st birthdays you get a free round when you order the other, plus a free mylar balloon, candle and disposable camera), I used BirthdayExpress.com to get the party stuff (plates, balloons, table cloths, plasticware, cups, napkins) it comes in many themes, and comes directly to your house (no running arround town).

First birthdays are really tricky. Here is the thing, your son is not going to really care about the party. The first birthday is really for the adults, and if there are too many people around he may get anxious and fussy. Make sure the party is SMALL and does NOT interfere with nap time. So the first birthday is real easy, KEEP IT SIMPLE.

My husband's b-day is 3 days before our son's b-day, so we had a joint cookout b-day party. Most of the time my little on was sleep. At the time he had not started walking so he just sat in amazement at all of the people at the house. He really wasn't interested in the cake, or the decorations, he tore up a few pieces of wrapping paper and was afraid of his tickle-me-elmo. And then he was sleepy and went to bed.
Of course all of the out-of-towners wanted to hold him and play with him, but again he was only 1 and not really into the over stimulation.

Keep is small, keep it simple take some really nice pictures with the cake.

We're in the same boat with our son's first birthday party coming at the end of May. Everyone says to keep it simple, and I vow to, but I want fun things for the kiddos to do. I'm putting out a sand box, shallow rubbermaid bins with bubbles (the best bubble concoction is 1 gallon bubbles plus 1 cup of Dawn dish soap), and a kiddy pool with some ball pit balls in it. We're grilling out hot dogs and I'm serving some mini cupcakes to the kids. As for favors, I get tired of party favors that just have "junk" so I'm making cookies to send home with the kids in a little sandwich bag with ribbon attached. A suggestion someone made, too, was an electric plugin bubble machine (I think you get them on line for about $30). Might not be a bad idea to turn one of the rooms in your house into a makeshift playroom with a lot of toys for kids that want to stay inside.

Good luck!

Hi A.,

Happy Birthday to Elijah!! At his age, children get overwhelmed fairly easily, especially if there are a lot of people around, sticking their faces in his. Even if he knows everyone you invite, the situation can't be beyond what he can handle. If you really want to have a party, I suggets you have no more than 5 kids his age, or close to it. The whole party should not last more than 45 minutes, and you will have to keep activities changing about every 3-5 minutes because their attention span isn't very long; as I'm sure you know.

Usually, a party for a child at this age is for the adults, because the child really doesn't comprehend what all the excitement is about. If you want to, you can do a 30 min. party for Elijah and then put him to bed, have a babysitter and the rest of you can party.

Have a great time!
T.

I agree with Leighan B. below. He won't remember the birthday anyway.
I think most b-day parties at this age are for the parents anyway. give him cake, and take lots of pictures with grandparents and great-grandparents.
Go simple and cheap.
good luck,
L.

Hello A.,
I think the best thing to do is have a small birthday party and keep it low key. If there are too many people, I think they get a little overwhelmed. I had a personal cake made for my son so I can take some great pics of him getting messy with is first birthday cake. I had a larger one for the other guests to eat. I would make the party theme with his favorite cartoon character; Elmo, Backyardigans, or even 1st birthday themes. Something basic, and take lots of pictures of before, during and after the party. Including all the guests for a great photobook. Hope this helps!

Keep it simple. Our great grandaughter turned 1 April 6. We had a small cook out at the park with her other grandparents and our family. The kids played and had a ball. At one they don't know what it is all about. It's more for the adults than them. So semple is my advise. I've gone through this with 3 daughters, 8 grandchildren, and now 2 great grandchildren.

Hi A.,

Chuck-e-Cheese is always great or any fast food place that has a playground.

Regardless of how you chose to celebrate, I have always heard this ritual, and it's fun. Sit him in high chair, place a bright colored book, a new dollar bill, and small birthday cake in front of him. If he choses the book first, he will be very studious; if he choses the money, he will be rich; if he choses the cake, he will always have all the finest things in life. Obviously, this isnt a true test; but it is fun.
Happy 1st Birthday, Elijah!!!!

Hi! For my daughter's b-day (in Jan.) we didn't go overboard at all - just had a fun couple of hrs. with fam. and friends. She is too young to want a bunch of stuff (and I certainly don't want her to get hooked on "things." We did cupcakes (with blow-pops stuck in the top), fun streamer wands (with her name on them)and everyone brought a gift! We had a nice time, got great pics and have good memories - but not a blown bank account!

Now that the weather's nice (at least here it is) a park with a toddler area would be fun! A picnic at the zoo (we haven't taken Hannah yet, but plan too soon!), a pool party (depending on weather of course) - seems like little kids always like those mini pools with a tiny bit of water and the rubber duckies - trying to catch them: you could do a carnival theme and have a few simple games (the ducky pool, face painting and catch the balloon relay, etc!

Have a fun time!

What about a carnival theme???
Big pretty colorful ballons everywhere.
corndogs,hotdogs, popcorns, cotton candy, chips ...these food items can be found in walmart... Make Homemade Ice cream too.

You can go to Toyrus an buy some bouncy balls,an place them in your yard so the kids can run wild .

I don`t know what your budget is but just be creative,think back ,What did you want your birthday parties to be like as a child??? Mix that with your sons parties and there you have it....

Hi A.,

honey a childs first birthday is simple...family and close friends. For his cake albertsons has a wonderful 1st birthday package...you buy the big cake that everyone eats and they give you the birthday cake for your son free. His own cake. You just have to tell them its for your babys first birthday. You will also get a baloon and a camera w/ a coupon for the film developing.
Wonderful deal.
The baby will entertain everyone just fine so no games will be needed.
Just be sure you have a plastic cover to sit his high chair on to catch all the cake.
Dont get red icing...stains...lol
good luck.
Have a wonderful birthday
L. b
mesquite tx

My son turned one in January and we had a Prince party! I ordered all of his party stuff from 1st wishes.com since that was the only place I could find any prince items. We just had a low key party with some close family and friends. I made his cake using the Wilton crown pan and then made him a smaller round cake just for him and decorated it with a crown and one candle. It was nice being relaxed and just letting him play. PS. Make sure you do your party AFTER naptime. ;) We also served fresh fruit and vegetables, pretty much anything that we could feed to baby. :) Most of all, have fun and take lots of pictures!

I personally feel the OPPOSITE of what a lot of people say! For my child's 2nd, 3rd, 4th birthday I'll be super simple. A friend from next door, my personal best friend, me and my husband...maybe as he gets a little older a couple friends from preschool. BUT the 1st birthday is...well...the FIRST BIRTHDAY! I totally think it should be commemorated!!! What we did was get a frame that says "my first year" from a local (Grapevine) vendor: it's got 12 small spaces and one big space on top. That way you can put a picture for each month, and one big one from the birthday party. We displayed it at the "gift table". We rented the ampitheater at a local park which included private bathrooms, tables, and chairs. We made a jambalaya, white beans, veggie tray (fed 40 people for about $50, and it was delicious). Got a Walmart birthday cake for friends/family and they give you a free smash cake for the birthday boy. We played music, took lots of pictures, the older kids had a ball on the playground while we ate and compared notes on parenthood. (It's more for you than him at this stage, but it's a special occassion to celebrate--you survived parenthood the first year, your child is graduating from babyhood to childhood). We also made our own giftbags for the kids in attendance (ages happened to be 3-11, just kids of my friends/family). We had a pullstring pinata which our son didn't understand but made funny pictures. After a great meal, we danced (my son loves music and sat on his knees bouncing and flapping his arms), we had cake (lots of pics of Joe making a mess), we changed him and opened gifts. Noone wanted to leave. We left at 1 hour, 45 minutes to put him to sleep though. Very fun. We got a plain white tshirt (his dad's size) and had guests leave handprints and sign them. We had a little drop box where people wrote sweet little messages for his scrapbook. But yeah, after that you don't have to do much til they hit the school years. I don't regret the big party AT ALL. I think I would have regretted it more if we'd had pizza at home.

my only suggestion is to keep it small and simple. no huge bashes that include every family member known to man and a million kids. one year olds just get overwhelmed or bored by it all. close kid friends or cousins plus family members will suffice for a guest list. do a dinner at home or out plus cake and presents. no games are really needed at this stage unless you want to for the older kids. enjoy the simple years before you get the requests for the fancy stuff! LOL

There are some picture people around that will photograph your child while having the first birthday cake. They provide the cake and decorations but you supply the hungry kiddo. The pictures are really cute!!!

Don't invite everyone! Haha, we had too many visitors on my daughter's first, and she was overwhelmed and miserable. I recommend close family, bright colors, and fun textures :)

My daughter's birthday was simple but fun! I covered the floor with balloons and let her and her two toddler buddies crawl, walk, and jump through them. Her cake had a wind-up train on the top, also very entertaining. Sweet and short, awesome pictures!

Today is my son's first birthday! We are having a family dinner complete with a special cake and presents. The people coming are all people he knows and loves. The food is ok for him to eat and the party will start shortly after his naptime so he will be at his best and can enjoy the excitement. We will have some decorations but not too many because most of the decorations are choking hazards and our son likes to handle everything! We purchased all of our supplies at Party City. They have really cute supplies for 1st birthdays. Most of all, just enjoy it. Do whatever your family enjoys doing.

My duaghter just turned 1. We had 2 parties one on her b-day with just grandma and grandpa. She had fun until we gave her the cupcake. She freaked out and started crying and would not stop. The 2nd one we had a few of their freinds over, the same thing happened with the cake. I guess she didn't like it. I would suggest having it somewhere familiar (home) and to keep it small. In the end you'll never know how they'll react.

I would keep it very simple. Limited to family and very close friends. Do it after nap, or between naps. My daughter slept through a good portion of her first b-day. Little ones get so easily overwhelmed and overstimulated that they don't know how to react and end up getting tired and cranky. We had family and a few close friends and did a BBQ with cake and presents. It was great. Very casual and didn't really matter that she was asleep. Congrats on making it to the 1 year mark mom!!