1st Birthday Party Planning Made Easy

STOP THE WORLD MY BABY IS TURNING ONE! Here are some tried and true, fool proof ideas, secrets for stress, and first birthday planning tips.

Over all the years of working with moms and entertaining at birthday parties, we have found that first birthdays can cause a new mom to come totally unglued.

First time moms are notorious for feeling the need to go big with the first party. Jan S., one of many of the moms we have worked with, had several phone conversations with me before her party. She was basically thinking out loud.
She starts with the guest list and realizes how quickly it can mushroom. Just inviting family can sometimes turn into a zoo.

All of a sudden, the new mom has a million thoughts fly through her head, ” Granny and Nana, Aunt Sue and… Hey.. If I don’t invite so-and-so, she will feel rejected. Where do I stop with the invitations?

What about the FOOD- How about some snacks? No… maybe make sandwiches and or… maybe a meal? OH MY GOSH… I’ve got to have decorations and if everyone brings their kids, WHAT am I going to do with THEM?”

These are real thoughts that soar through mom’s heads as the little one gets closer to turning 1. By the day of the party, Mom is frazzeled. After the party is over, she collapses on the couch with her birthday baby.

She is wiped out but had fun and survived. Her birthday baby has no clue what all the ruckus was all about and is happily playing on the carpet with birthday wrapping paper.

STOP! Take a deep breath, and relax…..the expert has arrived.

• O.K. Mom, get a grip.
• You can easily have a less stressed experience.
• No one expects or wants your party to be “perfect”
• Remember, birthday parties are fun. They really are!
• Expect spills and expect your baby not to act perfectly.
• Get friends to help.

WHO, AND HOW MANY GUESTS?

WANT LESS STRESS? 10 guests or less.
I tell all new moms that just a few close friends or family members that your baby knows well. This will be perfect for a first birthday celebration. None the less, many invite a small army.

I did the same thing when my kids were one.We wanted to show off our darlings and celebrate the joy we shared with everyone we knew.

Susan Caney of Birmingham, Ala. wrote to us and said she celebrated with 3 small parties for her one year old. One was at church, at her daycare, and one with family and friends at home. WHEW! She wanted to share this special celebration with all involved in her daughter’s life, but knew a huge party would unravel her, and her daughter.

This party will be more for you, mom, than for the baby. Try to keep the mass crowd level to no more than 10. Your little darling will cling to you like a Koala bear during most of the party if you have a bigger crowd.

WHERE’S THE PARTY?

REALLY WANT LESS STRESS? Have the party at home.

Your little darling is not used to partying all the time. Having lots of people milling around your home will already throw her/him for a loop. Your child will be more comfortable staying home. I have been to several first birthday parties at Recreation centers, and kids pizza places and many other places. Want less stress? DON’T BOOK YOUR PARTY AT THESE PLACES FOR THE FIRST BIRTHDAY!!

The birthday baby would usually be very clingy to mom. There were rare occasions that this was not true. You should have a good idea what your child will do. Please don’t rent the local zoo for the day or hire a traveling circus. You have about 17 more years to plan parties.

WHAT TIME IS BEST?

WANT LESS STRESS? After naptime.

The perfect time to party is after naptime so your baby is at his best. In a pefect world your child WILL take a nap… If the birthday child senses that this is not a normal day, he may be too excited to sleep….

That’s why it’s best to play it safe and plan a short party (about an hour to an hour and a half tops. Put the time that the party ends on the invitation too. If your sweetheart is in a good mood at the begining of the party, sing the birthday song and do the cake while you can. It’s so pitiful to see a tired crying baby in all the birthday pictures.

STRESS RELIEF TIPS

• Try to take a hot bath with scented candles… (If you can) the night before the party
• Try to have the birthday child well rested the night before the party.
• Keep from decorating until the day of the party. He will get too stimulated by all the new decorations and won’t want to stay on schedule.
• The night before, feed him a dinner that you know he will enjoy.
• Get up early the day of the party and try to have some quiet time.
• When you feel stressed, take slow deep breaths. Hold them in and then let them out slowly.
• Make sure you have a friend commit to helping at the party.
• Delegate jobs: taking pictures, activities with the kids that come, serving cake and ice-cream. Usually everyone is happy to help. Ask for special helpers before the day of the party so they will not be surprised.

SHOULD THERE BE ACTIVITES?
For a minimum amount of stess, you will keep it simple and low key.

Bubbles always charm little ones. Have this going on as guests arrive. Have large stuffed animals in a pile for babies and little toddlers to play with.

Have a few punch balls or beach balls out. Toddlers love to kick and throw these soft objects. (make sure you have an open safe area!) Also, a small table with playdough will keep little ones having fun for a while. Just make sure someone is watching them. Toddlers as you know, would rather just wander around than do a structured activity.

WHAT SHOULD WE EAT?
Not much, if you want less stress!

Less is more for this First party.Jenny Senecal, a young mom from Vermont agrees that a few snacks in pretty bowls is fine! Really! Have cake and ice cream and your done. Better yet, buy the little ice cream cups instead of trying to dig ice cream out of a gallon container.

LESS STRESS CAKE- ORDER IT.
Have a cake and a mini version for the birthday baby to dive into. Take the easy way out, and order a plain cake and order cake toppers that match the party theme. If you feel like being Martha Stewart, go for it. There are a million cakes that you can make.

Another easy, STRESS FREE way out, is to have cupcakes instead of a cake. Go to our cake decorating page for neat simple ideas.Birthday direct carries the cutest cupcake toppers. Get a pretty cupcake holder. No mess no fuss. Just pass them out.

LESS STRESS DECORATING

Order all your party supplies on line! LESS STRESS! You can’t go wrong with free shipping. The cutest thing that has come out lately is a decorating kit for the baby’s high chair. There is a mat, a bib, a banner that fits around the tray and a party hat. CUTE and easy! Buy a set of streamers, curling ribbon and balloons to match your birthday party pattern. EASY SHOPPING!

As a conclusion to this topic, it IS possible to have a less stressful first birthday. Remember, Mom, you want to have fun and relax at this party. Follow the tips and suggestions, and you will see how much easier your party will flow. Realize you will never have a perfect party. Breathe deep and relax.The only one putting on pressure is yourself. Your guests love you and your child. Everything else is icing on the cake!