A baby's first birthday is an important occasion for parents, grandparents, godparents and close family and friends. As well as celebrating a birthday, parents can also celebrate the fact they made it through the first year!
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To help you plan for the celebration we have compiled a handy checklist for you.
4 weeks ahead
- Decide on the date, time and venue
- Compile a guest list (which includes names, telephone numbers, email addresses etc)
- Decide the party theme (if applicable i.e. Princess, Birthday Star, Teddy Bear's Picnic etc)
- Set a budget (parties can be costly, don't feel pressurised into going over the top, small is definitely beautiful at this age!)
- Book the venue (if applicable)
- Book entertainment (if applicable)
3 weeks ahead
- List your guests and send invitations with RSVP information
- Organise the Birthday Cake (decide if you are going to make it or get someone else to)
- Decide on your baby's outfit (if a themed party what are you and your baby wearing)
- If you are outsourcing the caterer, book them and decide the party menu. If you are organising the food and drinks, plan a basic party menu, something you can easily manage on the day and won'e mean you are in the kitchen all the time and missing out on the celebrations.
- Decide on the party decorations (choose wisely, remember young babies and children don't always like balloons)
- Decide on any party games (depends on the type of event and guests attending i.e. young children, adults etc)
2 weeks ahead
- Enlist family and friends to help you with the party arrangements
- Shop for the birthday party i.e. buy decorations, party food/drinks/cake (if you are doing the catering), party game prizes, party bags etc
- Shop for your baby's outfit and yours.
- Shop for your baby's present.
- Confirm time with bakery to collect cake (if having one made)
- Book and furniture/ supplies required i.e. tables/chairs, glasses, plates, cutlery etc
1 week ahead
- Draw up your final guest list and confirm final numbers with the caterer (or for yourself if you are organising the food and drinks)
- Buy and prepare the food and drinks if you are doing the catering yourselves and ensure you have enough plates, cutlery and glasses.
- Confirm the final arrangements with the venue/caterer/entertainment (if applicable) - re-confirm numbers, times and other special requirements
- Do a surprise check at the party venue (if applicable)
- Prepare a first aid kit (if having party at home)
- Check venue/home is baby-proofed
- Select appropriate music for the party
- Finalise your own outfit, your baby's and other family members i.e. accessories, shoes, jewellry etc
- Ensure your camera / video recorder is charged and working correctly
1 day ahead
- Check you have candles, matches, knife and any other special cake decorations
- Layout your outfit, your baby's outfit and other family members the night before
- Re-check guest list
- Re-confirm arrangements with family or friends who have offered to help
- Wrap your baby's present
- Get an early night - tomorrow will be a Big Day!
On the Big Day!
- Start preparing food and drinks (if applicable)
- Set the table / put up decorations etc (if applicable)
- Set up a separate table / area to store the presents and have a note paper and pen handy in case you need to write who the gift is from
- Collect the cake (if applicable) - decorate with candles and other accessories and keep matches handy
- Know where your camera and video recorder are and keep them ready
- Know where the first aid kit is, keep it in a secure place but accessible
- If everything is ready, try to take a short nap before the party
- Finally, enjoy the celebrations, you and your baby have made it through the first year!
To find out more and view our full range of first birthday invitations click here
