Invite close family and friends to a 1-year-old's birthday party.
A first birthday is a celebration for the adults in a child's life more so than for the child. Keep the party small so your child doesn't become over stimulated--family and close friends is best. There is no reason to invest in an expensive party. Instead, focus on simple activities and food with loved ones. Does this Spark an idea?
Refreshments
Cupcakes work well for a first birthday celebration. Your child most likely doesn't understand what all the fuss is about and a large sheet cake won't help. Present him with a cupcake to eat as he pleases. Cupcakes are easier to prepare and less expensive than cake. Use a boxed cake mix, prepared frosting and colorful confetti sprinkles for just a few dollars. Cupcakes made from scratch costs even less.
Keep the food simple. A few finger foods will suffice because first birthday parties should be short--no longer than 90 minutes. Serve sandwiches cut into triangles or squares. Use decorative picks to hold them together and make them more attractive (remove before giving to young guests). Sliced fruits, cheeses and crackers are inexpensive and enjoyed by all ages.
Decorating
Choose simple decorations that will visually stimulate your child. Helium-filled balloons are inexpensive and are exciting to bounce and chase after. Buy a party helium tank and fill your own balloons for a small cost. Immediately dispose of any balloons that pop to avoid choking hazards.
Attach crepe paper streamers to the ceiling and dangle from light fixtures. Or make streamers from a colorful sheet of paper. Fold the paper in half lengthwise. Cut 3-inch slits along the folded side every 2 inches until you reach the end. Repeat on the open side, placing the cuts between the first slits on the folded side. Unfold and pull the ends of the paper for decorative streamers.
Make a birthday crown for your baby to wear from heavy cardstock or poster board. Cut the shape out and loop around and tape closed so it fits her head. Decorate with paint or construction paper shapes. Avoid small embellishments that may pose a choking hazard.
Activities
Plan simple activities for adults and other children present. Gather five to nine of your child's old bottle. Fill with rice to weigh them down and arrange like bowling pins. Players take turns trying to knock them down with a soft ball. Let your baby crawl or walk to chase after the ball and add interference to the game to make it more complicated.
A memory box costs nothing and may become a birthday tradition. Decorate a shoe box with decorative papers, paint, glitter or anything you have on hand. Cut a slit in the top to place envelopes through. Give each guest a sheet of paper and an envelope. Instruct them to write the year and their name on the envelope. They then write a memory or special message for your child, place it in the envelope unsealed, then place it in the box. Leave the envelopes in the box for your child to read someday. Or, make a birthday scrapbook by gluing each envelop flap side out in a photo album, memory book or notebook. Add to it each year and present it to him on his 18th birthday.
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