Planning your baby’s first birthday

Your baby is approaching their very first birthday, which can be a bittersweet time as you watch your once-tiny newborn take their major milestone in life. After twelve months of sleepless nights, constant feeding and nappy changes, you can finally say that you have survived your very first year of parenthood – and that is also a real achievement. Now, it’s time to have fun and celebrate your efforts.

For many parents, the concept of their baby’s first birthday is exciting, alongside a potentially stressful build-up. With the pressures of social media showing expensive birthday bashes with over-the-top décor and gifts, it’s natural to feel out of your depth. But remember, you don’t necessarily have to go overboard to make their first birthday a memorable event.

This guide offers some of the best tips for planning your baby’s first birthday.

1. Be selective with the guest list

First of all, it’s best to consider who you wish to invite. Much like a wedding, those in your social circle will probably be waiting for an invite for the big day, but it is very much your choice as to how flamboyant you want the party to be. Don’t feel pressured into inviting every person you know. Some babies can become overwhelmed by a loud, bustling environment, so a small gathering of close friends and family may be more suitable.

2. Plan around your baby’s sleep patterns

As you are very well aware, babies have very different sleep patterns to adults, so it’s important to consider this point when planning the times of the event. If you are considering inviting lots of new mums and babies, it may be best to host in the afternoon as opposed to the evening in order to fit around nap times. You may also wish to keep the party short and sweet – perhaps an hour or two, so that the babies and toddlers don’t become overly tired and irritable.

3. Choose a theme

Choosing a theme for the big day is a great way to give your baby’s party the ‘wow factor’ – and you don’t have to spend over the odds. Some themes you may wish to consider include:

• Fairy-tale party
• Circus party
• Jungle party
• Under-the-sea party

If you’re stuck for ideas, you’ll find a variety of adorable theme suggestions online. You may find that a theme gives you some direction in terms of which colour schemes and decorations to opt for. When it comes to the baby’s cake, you could consider purchasing a cake topper or personalized edible images from Sweet Tops to add a bespoke touch without spending over the odds.

4. Have realistic expectations

It’s very easy to become completely overwhelmed by party planning, but it’s important to keep your expectations realistic. You may get swept away with the excitement, to the point of placing too much pressure on yourself to make the event bigger and better than others you have seen. This is a natural reaction for many new mums. Remember – everyone is going to have fun, regardless. When the big day arrives, allow yourself to relax and enjoy your hard work.