First Birthday Card Projects

First birthday cards can be as monumental and as memorable as the day itself. Whether you are attending a party for the child or just want to mark the day with a special gift, make your card one-of-a-kind, sure to be treasured by her family. You can make an elaborate card or get everyone involved in a simple project.

Themes

Your card can match the theme of the little one’s birthday, or you can take inspiration from the child himself. If you receive an invitation for the birthday party of the 1-year-old, examine the theme of the invitation. If the party will have a specific focus, consider making a card with pictures and designs that match. If you have seen the child’s nursery or favorite toy, you can make a card that coordinates with those to make it personal and special.

Supplies

You will need a piece of 8 ½-by-11 inch card stock, cut in half to make it 8 ½-by-5 ½ inches. Then, fold the card stock in half to make it greeting card size or 4 1/4-by-5 1/2 inches. You can now decorate your card to suit your 1-year-old recipient. Scraps of paper, stickers, stamps and stamp pads, glitter and other accessories will help you decorate it. You will also need a pen to write a note on the inside. A greeting card or invitation size envelope will house your card.

Group Effort

You can get your whole family involved in the making of the card to create a special gift and keepsake. This is especially meaningful if the 1-year-old is a dear friend or family member. Separate the parts of the card; assign each one to each family member. You might choose to be in charge of the overall look. Your partner may enjoy writing the note. Each child may want to draw, cut out and attach each piece.

Practical

Unfortunately, at a big birthday like a first birthday, the cards will be abundant. Make yours stand out by making it useful. Instead of stuffing it in a box or in the back of a scrapbook, the baby’s mom may display it in the nursery as a piece of art. Use a picture of the baby, at birth and now, or a special drawing from your child to make the card artful and useful.

Going All Out

You can go beyond the basic card to make a gift in itself. Buy a small book or journal that contains eight to 12 pages. Fill the book with mementos and pictures. On each page, write a note of hope and love for the child’s life. You can even leave the last few pages blank for pictures of the party. Sign the book at the end like a card.