Your baby's first birthday is certainly something to celebrate. Many parents (and grandparents) feel it's a waste, as your baby will not remember his first birthday. I know many moms will agree with me when I say it's one of the major milestones to celebrate, your baby has survived the first year and so have you. There are so many milestones to celebrate like sitting, eating solids, crawling and some babies can already walk by their first birthday.
So, if you feel you want to throw a party and buy him/her a special present, go ahead!
Zaeem turned one on the 19th January 2018 and we celebrated his party on the 20th January 2018.
I always loved planning my boys' birthday parties, so this was not going to be any different, atleast so I thought!
This was the 1st time that I had planned a birthday party while being pregnant, with twins, and in my 1st trimester. I had to be super careful, twin pregnancies are at a high risk for miscarriage especially in the 1st trimester.
I had chosen The Smurfs as a theme, and even though I could not hang decorations or carry any heavy boxes etc., I received lots of help from my husband and siblings. All turned out fantastic.
Who to invite?
Your baby is still very attached to mum and dad and is most likely the youngest child in the family so the party might include grandparents, aunts and uncles, and a few baby friends from your play groups or ante natal classes. The birthday boy/girl may be afraid of strangers and new places, so it’s wise to stick to just inviting close friends and family.
The size of your party ultimately depends on your own preferences, as well as your budget—obviously the more people you have, the more food, beverages and space you’re going to need.
The invitations - don't waste paper by printing invitations. Download a quick invitation app to your phone and design your own and send it out online. I designed Zaeem's invites in less than 30 minutes and sent all the invites via whatsapp.
Getting the timing right
By one year old, your baby may be used to having a nap during the day. The worst time for all the excitement of a party is when your baby is tired, so an afternoon tea party after nap time works well.
Zaeem had a lovely 2 hour nap after lunchand woke up for his party just after the first guests had arrived, all bushy tailed and wide-eyed and ready to party!
Choosing a venue
Home is the place where your baby will feel most secure. He/She will appreciate a few colourful decorations or, if you want to go for something more adventurous, you could buy or hire a baby ball pool or soft toys if there are many babies at the party.
Zaeem was the youngest child at his party so we didn't opt to have any baby toys, instead we hired a jumping castle knowing that this is suitable for all ages. We had a pool party at my parents home, the kids were entertaining themselves and having so much fun swimming. With the water restrictions in Cape Town this was a luxury for most, my dad uses borehole water which he treats for 1 day with HTH, making the water crystal clear.
What food to serve
Keep the baby food simple because most of it will probably end up on the floor anyway!
To be honest, our little guests had eaten very little food. Fruit kebabs, jelly & custard and popcorn was a hit.
We opted for finger foods and had a variety of chicken and savoury platters, finger foods are excellent for both the kids and adults, as eating them won't interrupt play or interaction. Parents may have brought a bottle or feeder cup with the drink of choice for their baby, but have water, milk and diluted fruit juices ready. Remember for one child there are most likely two parents, we focussed more on adult catering that the kids could enjoy too. Try to keep it simple and avoid peanuts and other foods that may present a choking hazard to little ones.
No party is complete without a birthday cake. You can either make one yourself or choose to have one made depending on your budget. Zaeem's nanny, my sister in law, had offered to make him a cake, and boy was it amazing!
Don't let your baby near the candle as she will want to grab, not blow, it. We put one candle in a cupcake just for the photos making it easier to not letting him grab the candle.
Choosing a theme
Party themes aren't important to a one year old, so choose a theme that you think fits his/her personality. You may want to aim for a colour-coordinated look, but it's more for the benefit of your photo and video records than your baby at this stage.
Choosing presents
Many parents have asked what they could buy Zaeem as a gift. By now, your baby will appreciate anything that makes a noise, lights up, or both, so activity toys are a good choice. It's never too early to read, and textured board books are great fun for your tactile baby. A trolley, wheel barrow or push-along to aid walking skills is a popular choice, and new bath toys are always welcome.
On the day
Remember, even though you are the host of the party, have fun. This party is to celebrate you too.