You made it through the ups and downs of the first year, and now it’s time to celebrate!  Baby’s first birthday is a special day, and there are all sorts of ways to celebrate. 

Some parents choose to keep the celebration simple and small – just the immediate family.  After all, baby is too young to appreciate a big bash.  But others just can’t resist and they spend months planning a lavish affair, complete with catered food, entertainment and a lengthy guest list. 

Most parents opt for something in the middle: A party for family and some friends, a few decorations, traditional birthday cake and gifts for the birthday boy or girl.

Whatever the choice, baby’s one-year birthday is a real milestone. Before you know it, your child will be a full-fledged toddler, so take the time to remember the last 12 months and acknowledge your accomplishments as a parent and all that baby has learned in the first year of life.   

So, how do you plan a party that is right for you?  Here are some helpful tips that will help you plan a celebration that is right for you and baby.

Location, Location, Location.  Most baby experts agree that for a first birthday celebration, your home is the best location as this is where baby is most comfortable.  However, using a relatives’ or a close friend’s home – especially if baby is very familiar with the surroundings will also work.  Even if money is no object, remember that you want your child to enjoy the birthday experience.  Therefore, renting a restaurant, community center or going to a kid-themed pizza parlor is probably just too much sensory overload for a one-year-old.  We highly recommend holding off on these types of parties until your child is in preschool.

Short and Sweet.  Although it is tempting to invite guests for an entire afternoon and into the evening, it works best to keep the party fairly short.  This is especially important if you have a number of children invited to the party.  Kids and babies can reach overload pretty quickly, so plan on about two to three hours maximum.  That will give everyone the chance to mingle, hold the birthday baby, take plenty of photos, have some food and enjoy the presents.

Weekends are for Parties.  Kids and babies do better during the day, so plan your party for a weekend.

Baby’s Schedule.  You know your little one best, so plan the party during a time your baby is usually awake and in the best humor.  A birthday party will work at almost any time during the day, so you shouldn’t have to miss a nap to make the party a success.

Know Your Baby.  If your baby gets cranky with too much noise and activity, then a big party might not be the right choice.  Follow your instinct and you won’t go wrong. 

Get Older Kids Involved.  If you have toddlers or school age children coming to the party then you need to serve snacks, food and drinks that are appropriate.  Older kids can be put to work.  Ask them to help serve snacks, open gifts, pass out the cake.  They will love you for it.  Have goody bags for the kids as a thank you.

Watch Those Little Hands.  If you will have toddlers at the party, then you will want to move breakables out of the way.  Their parents may be distracted, and you don’t want to have accidents. 

Bowser Alert.  Family pets can sometimes be aggressive when there is a lot of commotion and noise.  It may be best to have your animals kept away from the party, especially if there will be kids attending. 

Keep it Manageable.  Keep a list and plan ahead as much as you can.  Keep things simple so you can enjoy the party.  Remember that you will also be responsible for the birthday boy or girl – which normally is a full-time job!

Prepare Ahead of Time.  Know what you are going to wear and what you plan to dress baby in for his or her big day.  Be sure to have a back up outfit as you will probably need it for baby.  Buy and prepare foods ahead of time.  The same goes for decorations and any planned activities.    

Food and Drink.  Finger foods work well.  Keep it simple with buffet-style serving and a self-serve drink table.

Help!  Don’t be Shy...Ask for Assistance.  Having help before guests arrive and during the party is essential.  It’s worth saying again: Don’t try to do it all yourself because you simply won’t enjoy the party.  Rather, assign duties to family and friends.  Have your cousin take pictures while her husband runs the video camera.  Ask a good friend to pass snacks and another person to keep the beverages stocked.  Your sister can be in charge of music and gifts, while your Mother takes charge of keeping the kitchen in order. 

Decorations and a Theme.  Picking a theme might sound silly since this is a birthday party for a one-year-old.  However, a theme – as long as it is a common one -- is actually a good idea because it can make your life much easier.  Say you choose a princess theme.  Then, when you send out the invites, pick out decorations and select the cake, you don’t have to think too much.  You know it is going to be pink and there will probably be a crown or a pretty girl in a lovely dress!  A theme can also help the guests select an appropriate gift.  For example, if the invitation sports a superhero theme, your guests might select toys, clothes or room accessories to match.

Speaking of presents, here are some ideas for the birthday baby.

First Birthday Gift Ideas

What to give baby on the big day?  You can always ask the parents or another relative to see what baby and the parents might need. 

In fact, if you are giving a very expensive or a large-sized gift we highly recommend checking with one or both of the parents ahead of time.  You might be disappointed to learn that they don’t have room in the house for a four-story doll house or a life-sized rocking horse.  But if you have your heart set on making your gift a surprise, then be sure to provide a gift receipt.  A gift receipt is always a good idea for any gift and will score you points with busy parents. 

Following are some gift ideas that will get you started along the right path to finding the perfect First Birthday gift.