First Birthday Parties

Planning a first birthday party for your little one? Here are some ideas and helpful tips for a fun and hassle-free party! 

SUPER- cute party favors for baby's first birthday party from: Kroma Design Studio

There are many different options to choose from and many different things to consider in doing so. 

• First, and most important, you will want to plan the party around naptime.  You and the guest of honor will be much happier in doing this.
• Next, you will want to evaluate what kind of party to have, ie: indoor, outdoor, etc..- You will want to have plenty of room for the high chair to be set up and for tables and chairs....
  

  
  Make sure to create a backdrop for the high chair (hang fabric on wall behind, or just streamers and balloons) and even decorate the high chair itself.  You will be taking many pics of this and you want it to look great!  We found some great accessories at Birthday Express.

  
  
• Have a camera and/or a video camera charged and  ready to catch all of those precious memories on film...granted, your child may not really remember this special day, but will love to see the photos later.
• There are pros and cons to inviting a big group of family and friends to a 1st birthday party ~ but if you have the room, I say 'the more the merrier' ~ There are those who would disagree, that the baby would be overwhelmed.. but just use your own judgement.~
• As far as typical child parties having games and prizes.. We agree that that is not really necessary.  There will be enough entertainment just seeing the guest of honor taking it all in!
• As far as food is concerned, The easier the better.. it's hard enough to clean, decorate, shop, wrap gifts, and care for a 12 month old baby!  We suggest crockpot food, such as, meatballs, etc., or subs or pizzas ordered in and cans of soda and bottled water. 

Don't forget the "smash cake" for your little one to enjoy all on his/her own!  These cute ones are from https://www.facebook.com/JennifersEdibleCreations

• and last and most important~ set up reinforcements for the day (someone to cut the cake, prepare the food, help care for the baby, set up, take down, video tape. take pictures, etc..)~you will need all the help you can get!

For more tips and party supplies, visit us at www.itsapartyfullife.com/first_birthdays

Sweet Shoppe Birthday Party

Here are some cute ideas for a easy do-it-yourself sweet shoppe birthday party

This banner was found on Etsy (a great resource for custom printables)

Creating a candy buffet for your party is easy and fun! You can search by color to match party decor. Visit Candy Warehouse.

We found these cute ideas for printables and invitations at Tiny Prints.

CUTE child's birthday party favors

These are just so adorable! I found these at beau-coup.com. Perfect to use as a unique party invitation too!

Campout party

With the warm weather here (for the moment), I know that summer is coming... All of these fun summertime party ideas are just swirling in my head. I think this year, we will host a camping party! Here are some ideas.

• provide your campers with the right equipment! A tent is essential, and make sure that you have enough tent space for each guest.


• provide guests with a "Knap sack" (a bandana tied to a stick), filled with a bag of trail mix; Trail Mix: Fill a large bowl with raisins, peanuts, m&m's, sunflower seeds, small pretzels, and chocolate chips. Mix all together and divide into small ziploc bags.


• Serve campers Campfire Hotdogs, Ants on a Log, Cheddary Potatoes, and Bug Juice (green Kool-Aid).


• Activities could include, making shadow creatures with your hands and a flashlight, stargazing, singing around the campfire, singing 'campfire' songs of yesterday, telling ghost stories, roasting marshmallows, plan a treasure hunt that they can use their compass', teach them how to whistle with a blade of grass.


• top the evening off with S'Mores!
  

Throw a kid's party on a budget

Elmo

In these trying times we must sometimes do without. How sad to have to do without a childhood memory, such as a birthday party. However, there are ways to still have a great kid's birthday party without breaking the bank. Birthday in a Box wants to help and has some great suggestions:

6 Ways to Cut Costs Without Cutting Value:

1. Hold the party at home.
2. Avoid traditional meal times by holding the party between 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. and only serve dessert.
3. Bake your own cake (or cupcakes) instead of purchasing premade treats.
4. Make and hand deliver your own invitations, or send electronic invites.
5. Ask a favorite babysitter or family member to help with games and activities instead of hiring an entertainer.
6. Combine your child's party with a friend who has a birthday in the same month.

More ideas from Birthday in a Box...

Cars birthday party

We had a Cars birthday party for Josh's 6th! We had sub sandwiches, chips and cake....
The kids were wild & crazy for a while playing, until I mentioned BINGO- I used a "Cars" Bingo - a game I found at Big Lots for 2.50 each! (prizes were Hot Wheel cars)... They also had a great time hitting the pinata for even more goodies... For more cars/hot wheels/speed racer party ideas check out: www.itsapartyfullife.com/hot_wheels