The big 1: Tips for baby's first birthday

When baby turns 1, it's time to bring on the fun! We bring you tips for throwing a birthday party to remember.

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Love the party but not the cost? Keep your spending low with these simple tips:

A piece of cake.

Making your own cake is much cheaper, and you might be surprised at how easy it is to make a killer creation! For an option that’s easier to decorate, cook up some cupcakes.

Mad hatter.

Party hats can easily be made from construction paper, markers and curling ribbon. As an added touch, you can personalize each hat with the names of the guests.

Snappy favors.

To save some cash on party favors, set up a photo-op area and snap a picture of your guests as a family or with the baby-of-honor on your digital camera. Simply print the pics and slide them into a ready-made card frame before the party is over, and you’ve got a cool and memorable favor from your baby’s first birthday bash.

Baby’s 1st birthday dos and don’ts

Don’t: Expect too much from a 1-year old. The party shouldn’t last longer than a couple of hours, since baby burnout can come about quickly.
Do: Be prepared to go with the flow—babies often make their own plans, so flexibility is a must.
Don’t: Spend the day in such a busy furor that you miss the opportunity to sit down and reflect on how your baby has grown in a year’s time.
Do: Save mementos like an invitation or decorated napkin for your baby’s scrapbook.
Do: Appoint an official photographer to capture every single second of your baby’s big party.
Don’t: Worry. Whether it comes together perfectly or collapses into a heap of crying babies, what really matters is that your baby has a good time. So embrace it for what it is, and have some fun!
Do: Send out thank you notes (Click here for our thank you note tips.)
Don’t: Be afraid to ask for help. A party is a lot of work, so ask a friend or family member to keep an eye on things and help the party run smoothly.

Good guest

If you’re the guest at a party, make the host happy by following the rules of good guest etiquette:

• RSVP a week before the party.
  
• Lend a hand if you see something that needs doing—putting wrapping paper in the trash and jotting down a list of who brought what for thank you notes is always helpful.
  
• Buy an age appropriate gift—and if you’re not sure what to get, a gift card is always a good option.
  
• Let the birthday baby shine on his big day, even if your baby is by far superior (and as moms, we know that she undoubtedly is).
  
• Remember to thank the host—a lot of work goes into a party, and letting someone know you had a good time can really make them feel fabulous.
  

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