First birthday party ideas-first birthday parties

Fun And Fabulous First Birthday Party Ideas
That Are General In Nature; Not Theme Specific!

As you know, a 1st birthday party is primarily for family and friends. You will want to capture all the awe and wonder your little one will experience on their special day. A first birthday is like no other. It truly is a milestone event that you will cherish, especially during those trying teen years!

Below are some general ideas that are not theme-specific. You may use any of these ideas to create a party that will stand on its own, or use them to compliment any of the themes listed in the 1st Birthday Party Section.

To help you get into the 1st birthday party frame of mind, we've put together some links to the best party supplies:

1st Birthday Party Supply Ideas
1st Wishes Party Supplies
Deluxe 1st Birthday Party Kits
First Birthday In A Box Party Supplies
Cake & Cupcake Decorations For 1st Birthdays
First Birthday Party Supplies

FIRST BIRTHDAY PARTY IDEAS FOR INVITATIONS

#1 INVITATIONS - Make #1's out of construction paper or cardstock. Write the party details on one side and your child's name on the other. Decorate with fun birthday theme stickers or add glitter to the edges of the #1.

PHOTO INVITES #1 - Using one of your party colors, cut 8 1/2" x 11" shiny cardstock into two pieces and fold in half. Using decorative scissors, trim the edges of a photo of your baby, so photo is slightly smaller than the cardstock. Glue photo to the front of the invitation. Put (Name) Is Turning 1! above the photo. On textured white scrapbook paper (finished size will be 4 1/2" x 7 1/2") either type or handwrite in calligraphy the party details on the left side.

PHOTO INVITES #2 - Turn your invitation into a keepsake. Start with a piece of 12" x 12" scrapbook paper that has a fun print that coincides with your little one's personality and cut it into four pieces. Glue 3-4 photos of your child onto the paper in a scrapbook fashion. Use fun borders, decorative scissors, stickers, etc. to embellish your pictures. Select photos of various ages ranging from newborn to the present age. Remember to leave room to add your party details.

FUN SILHOUETTE INVITES - Select something like a butterfly, monkey head, puppy head, cat head, or any other shape that your child likes and cut the shape out from one-half of a piece of construction paper. Create your invitation's wording on your computer or write it out in calligraphy on a piece of decorative scrapbook paper that has a faint design and will coordinate with your choosen silhouette. Cut this paper about 1/2" smaller than the silhouette, while keeping the basic shape as the silhouette. Glue the scrapbook paper to the construction paper.

BALLOON INVITATIONS - Blow up balloons that match your party colors and write the party details on them in permanent marker. Deflate the balloon and mail them to your guests with a note instructing them to blow up the balloon for a good time!

NEWSPAPER INVITES - Using scrapbook paper that looks like light newsprint, make your invitation look like a newspaper article. For the headline, put something like, (Name) Just turned 1! Then add a little story about the first year of their life.

On (date of birth), we were blessed with the birth of (Name). This past year she has outdone herself and has learned more then the average baby. For example, she not only crawls, but she walks! She can talk a blue-streak and loves to laugh and give her parents kisses. She drinks from a cup and practically cuts up her own food. She is simply amazing! You must see her in action; she is unbelievable. (Name) requests your presence at her very 1st birthday party. Where: When: RSVP:

FIRST BIRTHDAY PARTY IDEAS FOR COSTUMES

If you opt to not have a "theme" like Elmo, Sesame Street, etc. you may just decide to lean towards a cute outfit in the party colors. This will make for great photos to have your baby's clothes coordinate with the surrounding decorations. However, if you just can't resist dressing up the "Dollie", here's some adorable Baby Costumes that are irresistible!br>

FIRST BIRTHDAY PARTY IDEAS FOR BIRTHDAY DECORATIONS

Create a festive atmosphere with some of the following first birthday party ideas for decorations:

Decorate ceilings with twisted streamers and clusters of balloons with curling ribbons in any combination of your party colors. Glue photos of your baby to pieces of construction paper that coordinate with your party colors and hang them in chronological order on the walls. Be sure to include photos of milestone events. These photos can set the stage for a trivia game for family and friends who attend the party. Create a photo collage of your baby's first year of life and hang it on a wall. Use your baby's favorite toy(s) to create a fun centerpiece. For example, place the toy(s) on a tray that is filled with colorful shred. Add some curling ribbons to hang off of the tray. Tie a bunch of balloons to the toy(s). Cut out large #1's from construction paper, cardstock, or poster board and hang on the walls. You can also decorate the edges with glitter. Punch a small hole at the top, thread some fishing line through and hang the #1's from the ceiling. Hang a "Happy Birthday (Name)" banner on the wall. Cover tables in one of your party colors and use a second color for the plates and plastic ware. Place a photo album of baby's first year for everyone to look through Use stuffed animals to decorate the party room. Decorate food table with building blocks, curling ribbons, shred, and balloons. Attach colorful helium balloons to each of your guest's high chairs. Create party placemats by laminating pictures of building blocks, numbers, animals, etc. Create a photo-op corner by covering extra-large boxes with different primary colored wrapping papers. Cut 2" to 3" wide strips from coordinating primary color of poster board and glue around box edges for accent. Add letters and corresponding pictures on the blocks. Stack blocks, place babies on floor in front of the prop with regular-sized ABC building blocks. Lay a blanket in a corner of the room to hold various toys like stuffed animals, picture books, trucks, etc. for the little ones to play with as they arrive. Tape some baby-sized footprints on your walkway to the front door. Attach balloons to mailbox, hang from tree, or tie to car antenna to alert your guests of your baby's 1st birthday bash. Attach helium balloons to wood stakes and line the walkway to alert guests of the party location.

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MONEY-SAVING TIP

Before you purchase anything, be sure to check out the first birthday party ideas for supplies that are being offered on eBay. Many times, you'll find great new items at a fraction of the retail price.

FIRST BIRTHDAY PARTY IDEAS FOR GAMES & ACTIVITIES

Here's an entire page with nothing but 1st Birthday Games, such as:

Guess Baby's Weight Ball Rolls Organized Free Play Musical birthday bear Baby Trivia Time Capsule Sing-A-Longs Who's who? Edible Play-Doh Hand Prints

FIRST BIRTHDAY PARTY IDEAS FOR BIRTHDAY PARTY FOOD

You'll want to have some baby-friendly foods, along with food for older kids and adults. Here's a few first birthday party ideas relating to food options you might consider for the little ones:

Fish-shaped crackers Teddy bear-shaped graham crackers Teething biscuits Cherrios Fruit kabobs Animal crackers Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches Applesauce Yogurt Bread sticks Small grilled cheese sandwiches with crust cut off Cubes of soft cheese Macaroni & cheese Gerber Graduates Punch, lemonade, and milk

Here's a few first birthday party ideas relating to food options for the older kids and adults:

Submarine sandwich cut into small little sandwiches Veggies and Ranch dip Mini meatballs with a spicy catsup or dipping sauce Cheese and crackers Fruit kabobs Chips, pretzels, and dips Chocolate dipped strawberries Pizza Hotdogs, hamburgers, ribs Beans Macaroni, potato, or green salad Punch, lemonade, soft drinks, coffee, eta.
FIRST BIRTHDAY PARTY IDEAS FOR 1ST BIRTHDAY CAKES

TINY CUPCAKES - Buy or bake mini cupcakes. Decorate in party colors. Here's some great Cake Decorating Options for cupcake liners, color sprays, sparkle gels, edible confetti, etc.

CUPCAKE STAND - Make or buy colorful cupcakes and place them in a wire cupcake stand. This can also serve as your table centerpiece. You can add a #1 to each one using decorator gel.

#1 CAKE - Bake a sheet cake and cut it into the number 1. Frost it and then pipe out frosting around the edges and decorate with various edible confetti.

ABC BLOCK CAKE - Bake 3 square-shaped cakes. Frost in various primary colors. Pipe on "A", "B", and "C". Place two cakes side by side and one on top straddling the two.

ABC CUPCAKES - Make cupcakes and frost in various primary colors. Pipe on the letters of the alphabet.

ALPHABET BLOCK CAKE - Bake four 8-inch square cakes. Trim tops and sides to level and make them all the same size. Stack all the cakes while applying frosting between each layer. Frost each side in a primary color. Decorate top and each side with a letter of the alphabet.

PHOTO CAKE - Take a picture of your baby and have a bakery put it on the cake.

For some more 1st birthday party ideas for cakes, check out our 1ST BIRTHDAY CAKES photos and how-to tips. They are nothing less than fun and fabulous!

FIRST BIRTHDAY PARTY IDEAS FOR 1ST BIRTHDAY PARTY FAVORS

Fill a brown Kraft handled bag or decorative cellophane bag with any of the following: teddy bear, stickers, baby sunglasses, bubbles, alphabet book, alphabet coloring book with crayons, or ABC wood blocks.

FIRST BIRTHDAY PARTY IDEAS FOR PARTY SUPPLIES

Here's some teriffic 1st Birthday Party Supply Ideasto check out to get the creative juices flowing.

Here's some wonderful 1st Wishes Party Supplies including ideas for party ware, invitations, favors, and lots of decor!

The party won't be complete without a fun, colorful pinata. Also, they have great Deluxe 1st Birthday Party Kits.

If you didn't see everythingy you were looking for, here's another great option for some First Birthday In A Box Party Supplies.

Check out these great Cake & Cupcake Decorations For 1st Birthdays, which includes lots of fun options for candles and cake decor.

Last, but certainly not least are these First Birthday Party Supplies, which offer lots of fun options!

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