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First Birthday Party Checklist
Planning a first birthday party for your little one is a very special milestone, but it can also be a bit overwhelming. To help with details you might have overlooked, here’s a first birthday party checklist. Whether you’re planning a small gathering with close friends and family or a big bash, this checklist will help you to stay organized.

Theme and venue
- Venue: It’s very important to choose the adequate venue for your baby’s first birthday. Be sure that it suits all your needs, whether it’s a local playground/park, a kids-friendly restaurant, or your home. No matter where you decide to throw a party, make sure that there is a space for babies and kids to safely play and crawl around. Also, there should be a space where both you and your guests can nurse or change diapers.
- Theme: Theme will set the tone for the celebration. From fairy tales to jungle animals, choose something that will make both your little one and you excited. Theme will also tie the decor together – venue decorations, cake design, party favors, etc.
- Budget: Decide on a a budget to avoid overspending. Make a list with all expenses, including food, venue, entertainment and decorations. Allocate your finances wisely and explore DIY alternatives to save money. Stick to the budget – this will ensure a worry-free birthday celebration without any financial problems.
- Date and time: When picking a date and time for the party, it’s important to consider your baby’s nap schedule. It would be the best to throw the party after nap time, in the afternoon. You should keep the party short – plan for the party to last a couple of hours, not the whole day. Babies and small kids can be overwhelmed with party that lasts long.
Decorations
- Decor planning: Pick a coherent look that goes with the birthday theme. Think about banners, balloons, centerpieces and table settings. Everything should fit together nicely.
- Vendors: If you are hiring professional vendors, book decorators, florists and rental agencies as soon as possible. Be sure to confirm delivery times. Keep contacts handy – in case of last-moment changes.
- DIY: Visit dollar stores or craft shops. A lot of decoration essentials can be found there, like paper cups, paper plates, favor bags and cupcake wrappers. Purchase items that you can reuse. Shop for DIY items, so you could create personalized decorations. Give yourself enough time to put everything together before the party.
Guests
- Guest list: Make a list of friends and family members you would like to invite. Consider the capacity of the venue – you don’t want the place to be overcrowded. If you want to make the celebration more intimate, prioritize close relationships.
- Invitations: Send out invitations as early as possible – this will give the guests enough time to RSVP. Make sure to include all the important details: date, venue, time, RSVP. Personalize the invitations to match the birthday theme – this will make the guests excited about the party!
- Confirm RSVPs: If some of the guests haven’t responded, follow up and confirm if they are coming. Finalize the guest count so you can make seating arrangements.
Food and drinks
- Menu: Pick meals that are suitable both for kids and adults. Include a mix of side dishes, main courses and desserts. Make sure to double-check for food allergies and eating restrictions.
- Food: Choose between homemade food or catering. To avoid issues at the last moment, place orders early. Make sure you have enough food for all your guests.
- Cake: Select a cake that goes with your birthday party theme. Consider number of guests, dietary restrictions and flavor preferences. Bake your own or purchase from a local bakery or a cake shop.
- Snacks: Select various snacks that are appealing to both adults and children. To make everyone happy, offer both indulgent and healthy options.
- Drinks: Offer variety of beverages – soft drinks and juices for kids, beer or wine for adults. Don’t forget the water, to keep everyone refreshed.
Clothes
- For you: Choose a stylish outfit that will match the birthday party theme. Make sure it’s also comfortable, so you can mingle around easily.
- For baby: Choose the outfit that is both theme-appropriate and comfortable. Make sure to prepare additional clothes to change the baby – in case of water spills or other accidents.
Games and activities
- Games planning: Choose games/activities that are suitable for kids that are attending the party. If the party is going to have kids of various ages, make sure you have activities and toys to suit them all (crafts table, board games, bounce house, face painting). You can also hire a performer to entertain the kids with age-appropriate activities, like dancing, singing and story telling.
- Favors: Thank the guests for coming with a small gift, like chocolates or cookies. Don’t forget to add a cute favor tag!
Keepsakes
- Photos: Take pictures of all those amazing moments that will happen during the day. Make a lot of memories!
- Ask for help: Hire a photographer or assign a friend to take photos, so you can mingle with guests and enjoy the birthday party.
On the party day
- Decorations: Decorate early – everything should be in the right place before the guests arrive.
- Food and drinks: Set up food and drinks. Make sure the guests can easily access the buffet/serving area.
- Games: Arrange games/activities. Make sure that everything is assembled and ready for the children to play.
What are your thoughts on first birthday party checklist?
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