Fun Ideas for 1St Birthday!

Hi C., someone had told me about their daughter's first birthday party and I loved it so much we ended up doing it as well for our son on his first. The theme was a book party. In lieu of gifts, we asked everyone to suggest or bring their favorite childhood book. It was such a wonderful turnout and we have beautiful books with personal messages inside for Jack that he will have for a long time to come. Some people were super creative and put pictures of their kids in the books explaining why it was their favorite. There are so many things you can do based on this theme - we ordered a personalized book,( there are many companies online that make them and they are very inexpensive). We made books for all the kids attending as gifts. Good luck and enjoy it, remember the first party is really for the parents and the pictures :)

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Let me start by saying she has a great birth date, mines the same. I have a 2 year old little girl, and for her first birthday we did bubbles. I went to a party store and bought a bunch of individual bottles (they're only like $1), took the labels off then printed my own on adhesive (make your own large label) inkjet paper with her picture and birth date on them. We also got a small bouquet of helium balloons as well as blowing up a package of balloons to have all over the floor (she loved that). Cupcakes are a great alternative to a whole cake, plus she could have one all to herself without ODing on sugar. Depending on how many guests you have I would say you could do everything I've mentioned for around $40. Hope this was helpful.

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Hi C. - My company, www.SocialCouture.com specializes in party decorations. I would love to help you with some party ideas. What type of theme are you looking to do for your daughter's birthday party? You can email me direct if you prefer at ____@____.com.

Warmest Wishes,

L.

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Fom my kids we had a party at home (with brunch food) for friends and had a company come with puppies. It was under $200 for the puppies. Check the web for the companies that do that in L.A.

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My daughter's birthday is in the Fall so we went to a pumpkin patch. I invited all of the 'mommy n me' crowd and we rode the tractor-pulled wagon out to pick our pumpkins. Afterwards, we had snacks (healthy granola bars, juice boxes) and some pumpkin bread cupcakes (recipe from Family Fun for 1st Birthdays). It was short, sweet and, best of all, we made it home for naptime!

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My little one just had her first birthday too! We made a big collage pictures from her first year by roughly cutting out the pictures of her and sticking them, overlaping, on a poster frame (although posterboard or the wall would work too). We put them in roughly chronological order and put it up where everyone could see it and reminisce about the year and how much she had grown (first halloween, first Christmas, etc.). I was very impressed by the Dollar Tree selection for plates, favors, and decorations! they have a bright butterfly birthday plate that was perfect for us (we went with a butterfly/dragonfly theme). They also had helium butterfly balloons for $1, and a matching butterfly banner too! Here you can see them online if you don't have a store nearby (although these are really large quantities) http://www.dollartree.com/party-supplies/party-decor/9-in... Also, we made cupcakes - it didn't cost much at all to make 100 (just 4 boxes of cake mix and some butter and powdered sugar for the frosting). The fun thing about cupcakes is you can make a box of each flavor and mix different bowls of colored frosting so guests can have a choice - and it was so cute to watch her eat her little cupcake! Best wishes!!

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hi yes today I was in Michels (craft store )in fontana and they have princess invites, paper plates, cups and all that for $1.00 dlr. hope that work for you.

How about either a lady bug theme or minnie mouse theme. The colors are easy with the red white and black and you can find table cloths in those colors at the dollar tree with lots of other things for the party. Good luck!

I had a brunch. It was cheap, easy and did it between my son's naps at that age. Everyone was in and out in a couple of hours... and we had leftovers for that evening and I didn't have to cook!

One-year-old children aren't really playing with others yet, so there is no need to invite a lot of other children. They just like to sit together and play independently. Sometimes they watch and sometimes they take toys away from each other, so the less crowd the better. The birthday girl would probably love a lot of attention, even if there are not many guests.
When they start getting fussy (near the end of the party), it's time for some quiet, relaxing activity.

Some suggestions:
- a music circle with songs and finger plays, and a bunch of percussions musical instruments (drums, bells, rattles, tamborines, triangles, etc.)
- a brief puppet show with cute animals
- they also loves bubbles -- the more the better
a Gazillion bubble machine, perhaps
- even if just crawling they love to explore
e.g. make a baby obstacle course with soft cushions, pillows, tables, chairs, little slides and steps
- a baby wading pool filled with colorful balls
- sand tables and sand toys

Caution:
- keep them away from balloons - popped balloons are very dangerous
- keep them away from small parts that can be swallowed
(little children are extraordinarily quick popping
stuff into their tiny mouths, especially if they think
you're going to say no. :-| )

I was just remarking the other day on how elaborate and expensive birthdays have become. We had a large family of 7 children and our birthdays always followed this pattern: The birthday child chose the menu for supper or lunch, depending on whether it was a week-end, and the flavor of cake and icecream. I made the cake, since I like to bake. The birthday child was allowed to invite his or her "best friend" over -- sometimes for a sleepover if it was a week-end. If there were nearby family, they were invited as well. There were a very few gifts and lots of family togetherness, singing, etc. For very young children, the menu was based on what we knew the child liked, or on questions like "do you want white or pink ice cream?"

I realize how ceremonial the first birthday can be, but let's face it -- it isn't for the child, it's for the parents and other family! If you have a lot of friends your age who want an excuse for a social occasion, then invite them for a simple home-cooked meal, barbecue or picnic, depending on the weather, and some cake and ice cream. Since you have several other children, if the friends have children that age, a picnic in a park with great play equipment might work. I think most adults just enjoy the chance to sit around and chat and watch their children having a good time.

As far as gifts are concerned, I think that a lot of gifts are really overkill, and in these financially stressed times, it may be best to underplay expensive gifts. Children have way too many toys and don't value them, and how many cute outfits can one child wear before they are outgrown? I don't know how I would handle that myself -- I might ask for no gifts, a book, or even something to donate to a charity.

Just remember that if you go to a lot of trouble and expense you can't really afford, you'll think you have to outdo it the next year. I think the main thing for a birthday is that the child feels special and loved. That doesn't need to include expensive entertainment, goody bags, etc.