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Your child’s first birthday is already here! Just a while ago you were readying your home for him, and now, it’s already his first birthday! Coming up with 1st birthday party ideas on a budget might seem like cutting down on an important milestone, but there are some great ideas that you can use to keep your costs low, your party wonderful, and your mood ecstatic for your child’s big day.
First Birthday Party Checklist
Whether you are fretting about putting up the 1st birthday party decorations at home or figuring out other aspects related to the party, the best way to bring things under your control is to make a checklist. Put together all tasks that need to be done so that you are always in the loop.
1. Your Child’s Dress
Your child should look stylish and adorable on his big day, preferably in an outfit or a costume befitting the theme. Make sure you have that plan in place.
2. Accessories for the Party
Right from simple decorations to any other aspects of the party, list out all the accessories that you’d need to keep the party going.
3. The Birthday Cake
This cannot be just any cake. Make sure that the cake is special – it could either be around a cartoon character your baby likes, a picture-cake of your memories starting from his first month in this world or anything else that captures the essence of his big day.
4. The Party Timing
Check the day and time you’d want to have the party. This can connect to your budget as well, which will help govern any adjustments to make it a success.
5. Shopping List
Some items required for the party would be available right at home, while others might have to be purchased in advance. This also requires planning since all items might not be available close by and you might have to go places to pick them up.
6. Email Invites
Although paper invites have a classic charm to them, the digital age can provide you with the ease of creating and sending invites as well as making them interactive if you’ve got the skills to make them that way. Add photos and graphics to make the invites interesting as well.
7. DIY Decorations
If you are on a tight budget, don’t spend all your money on decorations. There are many alternatives that you can make use of to decorate your home. Browse the Internet for videos that can provide step-by-step instructions in figuring it all out.
8. Items to Be Borrowed
There’s no point in purchasing items that are going to be used only once. Since you would be having guests over, you would need additional cutlery or pieces of plastic furniture which would suffice for one-time use. Check with your relatives or friends and they may happily lend you some.
9. The Birthday Venue
Your apartment would be constricted if you are planning on having a large crowd for your little one’s first birthday. Opt for a hall or a separate venue so that everyone can mill around without worry. Make sure the venue is approachable for everyone and not in a far-flung corner of the city, and also that the rates fall well within your budget.
10. Number of People
Get a good idea of the number of people that would be showing up for the party. Reach out to them for confirmation as the date approaches. Your options for food and other items will depend extensively on this.
11. Duration of the Party
The party you’ve planned for your darling child could have a combination of games and activities that involve the kids as well as adults. People will keep having fun, but you need to have a good judgement of how long the entire party will last so that it fits in with other aspects properly too.
12. Go With Your Budget
If you choose to celebrate your child’s birthday on a weekday, it is best to shift the timing to around earlier in the evening. This can help you save costs by including an extensive snack menu instead of a full-fledged dinner. People can find it convenient to pop in quickly as well.
13. Separate Foods for Kids and Adults
Food choices are what make or spoil a party by a large degree. The choices of food items are going to vary wildly for kids as well as for adults. Therefore, make sure you have separate sections for them both, as that will allow everyone to enjoy and have a great time.
14. Menu Cards for Kids
Not all food items would be safe for children. Furthermore, kids will rarely be supervised in the rush of the party. Come up with menu cards for kids that the parents can carry around. These can be used to list preferred foods and any allergies if so. The servers can check the cards and serve food items accordingly.
15. Keep Celebrations Short
While your party can extend for a couple of hours or more, ensure that you keep the main celebration as short as possible. Your little one is just a year old and he would get overwhelmed by all the people and the noises. Get done with his part quick and then leave him be if he feels like it.
16. Don’t Hesitate to Ask for Assistance
Doing all the tasks related to your child’s birthday party single-handedly will tire you out, even if you consider yourself a super parent. Talk to your family and extended family and see if they are willing to help you out. If not in the preparation, they can definitely lend a hand on the big day.
17. Opt for Snacks That Can be Easily Replenished
When going with items like finger foods, choose those that can be prepared quickly or procured from a nearby store if they run out. This will prevent the party from falling into ruin and keep guests satiated and happy.
18. Have a Special Play Area
Whether you are having the party at home or another venue, demarcate an area for toddlers to play around. This will keep them safe and allow them to be engaged with their toys in a safe environment.
19. Fill It up With Balloons
We are totally serious about this. Balloons have to be one of the top items in your checklist. Even if nothing seems to work out at your party, the prevalence of balloons all around can keep the kids happy, and popping them can turn into a game itself.
20. Don’t Be Stressed
It is a party, which means enjoyment should be the top priority. Plan and delegate tasks so that you don’t find yourself stressed during the party, worrying about every small thing. Spend a little more if needed on a planner and organiser, if it makes you feel better.
21. Party Favours/Return Gifts
Don’t forget to get all your guests some cute return gifts! These are becoming a trend in most parties around these days, and there are a ton of ideas you can choose from for return gifts. Make sure to have an idea of the exact number of kids attending your child’s first birthday party, and place an order for the gifts accordingly. Your gift could range from a small box of assorted chocolates or crayons and drawing books – the choice is yours!
20 Amazing Ideas for Your Child’s 1st Birthday
A themed birthday party can be extremely fun-filled for kids. Here are some interesting birthday party themes for a 1-year-old kid’s first birthday that will turn it into a memorable one.
For Girls
Try these themes out for your little girl’s birthday.
1. Garden-themed Party
This one can be worked out effectively if you have a large home that has a backyard, a front lawn or a terrace garden. If you live in a housing society, you could use the common garden for the birthday party (after talking to the authorities, of course). With flowery costumes, a fruit cake, and a large space for activities, this party would bloom wonderfully.
2. Forest-themed Party
A step up from the garden, this party can make use of different forest items to create a cosy feeling all around. Pick out cakes that have a woody pattern and set up hanging lanterns all around. If it is evening time, choose to dim the lights and create a nice mood.
3. Sea-themed Party
Most girls fall in love with Ariel from ‘The Little Mermaid’ almost instantly when they watch her for the first time. Pick up a mermaid costume for your little girl if you can and go with a blue theme all around for the party. The cake can come in a similar colour, too.
4. Angel-themed Party
Every daughter is the prettiest angel for her parents. Celebrate her angelic goodness on her first birthday by making her a fairy princess for the day. Use shiny costumes and decorations to turn your home into a paradise.
5. Hello Kitty Party
This brand has taken the world by storm and can be seen being used by girls everywhere. For the kids that will storm your party, they will be enamoured by the presence of the little kitty everywhere. Make sure there are enough kitty masks for everyone.
6. Pink-themed Party
While the colour pink works for boys as well, the softness that it brings to the table makes it for a wonderful theme choice when celebrating your girl’s birthday. Start off with a strawberry cake and keep the theme pastel colours.
7. Cupcake Party Theme
Ditch the tradition and go with a cupcake party instead. Cupcakes are easier to consume by kids, and you can have a wide variety of flavours and colours, bringing a unique and fun vibe.
8. Rainbow-themed Party
Is your little one a fan of colours, all vivid and bright? Don’t stick to one and bring them all to the party. Right from dress code to the cake, you can decorate the room with ribbons around the venue and let the colour keep flowing.
9. Alice in Wonderland Theme
This would cost you quite a bit to plan out well. But if you do it, this would be a party like no other. The weirdness of the wonderland can translate beautifully into the party venue and will add to the gala time everyone will have.
10. Bubble-themed Party
Your little girl will enjoy playing with bubbles extensively, much like any other child. This theme works great if the venue is large since you can organize numerous activities to go along with it.
For Boys
Here’s what can work for your little boy’s birthday:
1. Construction-themed Party
Little boys love to play with trucks and other toys used widely in construction. Order a cake that works with the theme, and replace the birthday caps with construction hats for some great photos.
2. ‘Minions’ Birthday Party
Since the movie ‘Despicable Me’ released, the adorable minions from the movie have taken the world by storm. Surprise your little one and his friends with a minion cake, and tiny minion goggles for everyone.
3. Space Party Theme
Astronaut helmets, a darkened room with glowing planets and stars, and alien masks. Can you imagine how exciting this party would be? Neon lights and spacey music can get the kids in a fun mood right away.
4. Winnie the Pooh Party
For kids who like things to be calm and quiet, a Pooh-themed party can help you be Pooh for your little Christopher Robin.
5. Sailor-themed Party
Whether it is pirates or sailors, put them together for a wonderful themed party. Try to set some water setups and games that involve sailors and pirates fighting for the cakes, allowing kids to enjoy to the fullest.
6. Circus-themed Party
The birthday boy gets to be the ringmaster while everybody else can be animals! He could also dress up as a cute little clown! Put together games that will help kids win treats along with activities that adults can participate in as well.
7. The ‘Man’ Boy Party
Your boy might be just a year old, but he is already on his way to being a man. Put together all manly accessories to decorate the home. Let everyone wear fake moustaches and beards for fun!
8. Lego-themed Party
Another craze that kids today have is playing with Lego blocks. Make everything Lego-themed, quite literally. The cake’s style, the decorative bags, actual games, and tiny toffees – let everything be made out of Lego blocks.
9. Football World Cup Party
Does your boy love to move around a lot and kick things around? Gift this budding footballer a wonderful party that can turn into a match within no time. Just give the kids a ball in an open space and watch them go. Get a football-shaped cake too!
10. Doraemon Party Theme
This is a cartoon loved by everyone, and it is quite easy to accessorise your party on this theme. A large cake resembling Doraemon’s face will be an instant hit, along with masks and Doraemon music playing in the background.
A child’s first birthday is an important marker in their life – one that you’ll cherish and will show your baby photos of someday! With some interesting first birthday celebration ideas, you can make it special and memorable in every way.
