Let’s face it, on their 1st birthday, your little one is not going to have a clue what is going on, and they are more than likely going to be more interested in the wrapping paper over any gifts. This sounds like it would make for a very cheap birthday if the party was actually for the birthday baby in question, but we all know it isn’t!
It is a chance for the parents to celebrate, for families to have a good reason to have a party, or to see others that you might not have seen for a long while. It is also an excellent reason for cake.
So, with this in mind, this piece will take a look at how you can throw the best bash for your one year old (sort of).
Keep It Small
Young babies do not like a lot of noise, so inviting 30-odd people over to celebrate a birthday is not the best of ideas. Keep it small to the people you definitely want to see or who truly want to see your little one, and keep the larger affairs for when you have a babysitter!
That being said, just because a party is small does not mean it is any less special—this is a day for commemorating a very special birthday, so be sure to get the 1st birthday gifts in too!
Plan Around Your Baby’s Schedule
No one likes being woken up from a nap, especially on their birthday, so do not celebrate your baby’s first trip around the sun by waking them up repeatedly—even if it is just to be cuddled! Sleep routines are extremely important for babies and young children, so plan their birthday gathering around their usual schedule, including feeding time and naps! This means not much will change for them and it won’t throw their routine out of whack (which would then throw yours out of whack).
Babies need plenty of sleep, so don’t expect them to be awake for long periods of time, either. The star of the event will probably only make an appearance for an hour in total at most!
Make Sure It Is Baby Friendly
As much as we like balloons, loud music, and sharp corners, none of these are suitable for babies. While you might not be too worried that your one year old is going to crawl out of their crib and start putting their fingers in electrical sockets just yet, you will definitely need to think about baby-proofing the house for any friends and relatives that come over with their more curious and mobile children.
One of the best tips for doing this is to crawl around and see if you can reach or get hold of anything that could cause an issue for babies or children, and then remove it or cover it—do whatever you need to do. If your baby has already mastered the art of getting around, then there is a good chance you already know the drill for this!