Planning your baby’s first birthday party can be fun, exciting and emotional as it marks the first full year since he entered your life. Use a theme for the party to make the planning process easier, as sticking to themed decor and activities can narrow down the choices you have to choose from.
Baby Themes
Use a baby item or things that are commonly associated with babies. For example, the number “1” is a fitting theme, and it’s easy to follow. Baby blocks and wagons can serve as the theme or contribute to a vintage baby theme. Numbers and the A-B-Cs are another easy theme to follow for a first birthday party. Teddy bears, carousels and bubbles delight most babies, which makes them ideal themes as well. Other simple themes include basic shapes or colors. For example, create a colorful party room, using red, blue, yellow and green. Include stripes, squares or polka dots in primary colors or specific color schemes. Popular boy colors include blue and white, yellow or brown and popular girl color schemes include pink and chocolate brown or purple and yellow.
Animal Themes
Most babies are fascinated with animals, which can be a fun first birthday party theme. Turn the party into a safari or jungle with baby-friendly lion cubs, monkeys, hippos and giraffes. A circus theme could include clowns, lions, tigers, bears and monkeys. Treat your guests to popcorn, cotton candy and simple carnival games, such as a bean bag toss. Use a farm theme to include horses, cows, cats, dogs, ducks, pigs and sheep. Invite other small children to bring their favorite stuffed animals, or give them out as party favors. The kids can even put on a parade with their animals in wagons.
Nature Themes
Host the party in your garden, at the park or turn a room in your house into a garden with a flower or bug theme. Butterflies, bees, dragonflies, grasshoppers and ladybugs are common bugs that can be kid-friendly. A garden tea party might be fitting if your baby has a group of playmates she typically plays with that includes their moms. Nautical themes can include lighthouses, anchors, sailboats or go more toward a tropical beach or underwater fish theme. Create a prehistoric jungle and fill it with dinosaurs.
Character Themes
Superheroes, popular dolls and cartoon character themes can be simple to pull off as theme-specific decorations, games and invitations are readily available. If your baby enjoys a particular show or character, use that as the theme for his party. Use a combination of characters from the same show or stories if your baby isn’t partial.
Considerations
Consider using your baby’s favorite toy or her nursery theme as the party theme. Make the decorations or banners yourself for a personal touch that can also become a keepsake later. Decorate the highchair as well. Give your baby a crown to declare him the prince for a day.
Photo Credit
- closeup of birthday cake image by Melking from Fotolia.com
