Not wanting to repeat the mistakes I made with #1, we celebrated Baby #2’s first birthday by tossing a few extra blueberries on her high chair tray, followed by a bath toy (purchased at CVS) wrapped in newspaper.

Happily, both kids really seemed to enjoy their parties – and of course, neither remembers them!  But with child #3’s first birthday approaching, I decided there must be a happy medium for a happy first birthday.  Here’s what I’ve learned:

Guests

Keep the guest list small.  Really small.  For a one year old, I suggest having 4-6 friends over.  You may want to invite their older siblings to join; in any case, I recommend hiring a teenage sitter to come over and help out. 

Duration

Keep the party short.  Really short.  90 minutes is more than enough time for a 1 year old’s party.  Anything longer may be the end of you.  And them.

Food

Keep the food simple.  Really simple.  With all the food allergies that abound today, you need to be conscious of what you’re serving.  I like to do cut up fruit and cheese sticks.  And I always put out packaged organic snacks so that parents of kids with allergies can read the label and decide for themselves if it’s appropriate for their child. 

Activity

Minimize the fuss.  I put out a few tricycles, sidewalk chalk, and bubbles and let the kids have at it.  But to be fair, we have late spring birthdays, so this is very doable.  For those of you who are celebrating in the colder months, some additional planning and structure is helpful.  Try using One Charming Party, a website that sells party planning packages.  Very cute and helpful.

Party Favors

Party favors are a pet peeve of mind.  Never mind that they are an expected component of every party these days, but my kids don’t need any more plastic junk or candy in their lives.  So I try to give favors that are useful or educational (is it me, or do I sound just like my mother?).  Some of my favorite favors are books, water bottles, and reusable snack bags.   Keep in mind, this type of favor is often more expensive, but you may find it worth the extra cost.  Also, if you shop well in advance you will likely find some helpful deals.

Memories

While I don’t like to make too much of a fuss about first birthday parties, I must admit, I do love documenting them.  An extravagant, but oh-so-cute means of doing so are the incredible pictures by photographer Erica Fabrizio.  Her Cake Smash package is a photo shoot with your one year old, (adorned in either a diaper or a onesie), getting messy with a beautiful birthday cake.  Precious!  

The good news is that, whether you decide to throw a big bash or a simple get together, your child's first birthday will be memorable and wonderful - so take lots of pictures and enjoy it!