Thinking of ways to celebrate your little one’s first birthday can be quite difficult. You want this amazing milestone to be shared with your loved ones. And you want it to be fun and memorable. So, how do you throw a party for your little one, who, let’s face it, will be at a different stage to his or her little friends? And how do you involve everyone? Check out some ideas below and let me know if any of them take your fancy!
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Hold a Teddy Bear’s Picnic
Whether holding this indoors at your home, outside in your garden or at a local park, this idea could be lots of fun! Everyone {yes, adults can too} brings along their favourite teddy bear and join the picnic. Keep food simple and easy. Little sandwiches, chopped up fruit snacks and obviously party cake can work ideal for children who are a similar age to the birthday boy/girl, but also works for older kids too! If outdoors, simple games such as ball and chase can work perfectly for a little active fun. Bubbles, ball pits, play mats and age appropriate ride on toys can help to keep them entertained too!
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Throw a Themed Tea Party at home or your Local Function Room
Working to a theme can help to keep focus for your little one’s party. Whether the theme is character based, such as Mr Men or Marvel, or colour themed based, such as Pretty Pink, it keeps things fun and focused. If hosting at home or a local function room, there are lots of ways to infuse your theme. Bunting, balloons, party tableware and themed cake can all play a part in creating the party theme. Games can be inspired by your theme too! Fill a pink paddling pool with small, pink plastic balls to act as a ball pit. Encourage everyone {yes adults can too} to dress up in the theme too, just to reinforce the whole idea! For further theme ideas, I’d always suggest Pinterest!
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Get Messy with a Cake Smash Photo Shoot
This too can be themed, or it can be simple! Either way, a cake smash photo session with a professional photographer can be a fantastic way to celebrate your little one’s first birthday. Even better – you get some beautiful photographs and art work that you can keep to remember such a milestone moment. With such a fun experience and freedom to eat cake and get messy, all whilst recording memories, it’s definitely an option to seriously consider. Find out more here!
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Save the Stress and Book a Soft Play Centre Party
Take the stress of organising a party out of the equation and get in touch with your local soft play centres to see what party packages they have. It might be that all you need to do is send out invites! Easy! Or, take on a few tasks and have a little control with invites, simple party bags and delicious cake. The organisers of the venue are likely to take on most other tasks, such as simple activities and catering.
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Host an Open House Day
If you don’t feel your home is spacious enough, or the time of year would be risky for a full on garden party, then why not consider an Open House Day! Keep it relaxed and simple. No need to specify a particular two hour slot. Instead, let family and friends know that your house will be ‘open’ all day. Lay out food that will be delicious to guests whether hot or cold. Have beautiful cupcakes rather than a birthday cake so that no one misses out! you could even create fun party bags that appeal to adults as well as younger children.
…So, there’s just a few ideas to help you along with your planning. Baby’s first birthday is definitely a special milestone. I think it is always made so much more special when you share it with your loved ones, friends and and family. And make sure to get your camera out too! And get them photographs printed and framed!
Smile, Jeni x

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