Tips to Keep Everyone Happy at a 1st Birthday Party

A baby's first birthday party is full of once in a lifetime moments that, ironically, the guest of honor has little memory of when looking back at the event.  Follow these tips to ensure that everyone has a good time at your baby's first birthday party.

Baby and Child Needs

If your party is at home, you probably have all you need to keep your little one comfy and cozy at the party.

Think about the needs of the other kids attending from the baby's friends to older siblings, and be prepared to keep them entertained throughout the event. If the kids are content, their parents will have a better time.

Set up age-specific areas for the kids at the party.

• For the babies, designate safe, soft play stations with blankets on the ground, toys, and plenty of room to crawl around. Place chairs around the blankets for the parents.

• Younger children usually enjoy crafts or art so a table with paper and crayons is ideal. Place this table a nice distance away from the baby area to keep their space free from small items that may fall on the ground.

• Older kids typically like lawn games or gaming systems on TV, which you can set up in a room near the main party space so parents can easily check in on their kids.

Friends of Mom & Dad

A first birthday party guest list is often full of family friends who have known the parents since their childhood or from their school days. They may not have kids yet, but they love your baby and want to be a part of the celebration. Help them feel at home with these ideas.

• Along with the baby food and munchies for the kids, serve some grown-up fare like hummus and pita chips, cheese and crackers, or crudite' on an adult party table.

• Display baby's photos or a baby book so your friends can see what the birthday child has been up to since coming into this world!

• Place note cards and pens around the party space so the adults can write their impressions of the party, baby, or anything that comes to mind as a memento for the birthday child.

• Give party favors to the adults similar to trinkets you would give to guests at a baby shower such as chocolates in a personalized mini glass candy jar.

Grandparents and Older Relatives

Honor grandparents and older relatives that will be attending your baby's first birthday party by asking them to participate in planning, decorating, or any other detail that you need help with.

Chances are, they have a ton of experience and your request for their input will make them feel included in this very special occasion. Of course, if they simply want to come to the party and eat cake, that's cool too!

• Invite grandparents over an hour or two before the party to help out or take care of the baby while you set things up.

• Ask a grandparent or relative to remind you of details during the party or take care of specifics like snapping photos when you bring out the baby's cake.

• Give grandparents plenty of time with the birthday child during the event.

• Provide plenty of comfy seating for older guests who may not wish to stand throughout the entire party.