How to celebrate your little one’s first birthday

First things first – a party is not everyone’s cup of tea, and there’s no law that says you must have one. You can celebrate perfectly well in the quiet of your own home or spread the celebrations out over several days so that no one gets too overwhelmed. Alternatively, why not spend your party budget on having some nice family photos taken – they’ll last longer!

When you’re thinking about the guest list, think about who is important to you. Your little one won’t mind who comes, so don’t feel obliged to invite nursery friends – there’s plenty of time for that in the future. Invite the people who’ve supported you through this year of ups and downs – whether that’s family or friends or both. You’re aiming for a party that feels like a celebration, not a chore.

A theme can be a nice way to bring a party together. If your little one is showing an interest in, say, animals or a particular storybook, you can lean into it with themed partyware, balloons and banners. It might even help influence the kinds of gifts people bring for your little one! Or, if a party is not your scene, what about a day out somewhere special – like a zoo or farm park? You could share the experience with close friends or family or keep it just your little unit.

One-year-olds don’t really play games, but they will love sensory play. Things like ball pits, bubbles, edible paints and noisy shakers will keep them captivated. Beware of overstimulation though – a big crowd combined with lots of sensory toys might lead to overtired babies and an early end to the party.

It’s easy to get carried away with spending – after all, they’re only turning one once! But have a good think about whether this is how you want to spend your money. The cost of an at-home party with DIY decorations, supermarket snacks and simple entertainment could be up to £100, while if you decide to go for a party package from a soft play centre, you’ll probably be looking at £200 before you even think about cake or presents. Talk to your partner and agree what you want to get out of the experience and what’s worth paying for.

The most important part of the party is what’s left at the end – the memories! As well as taking plenty of photos, you could ask all your guests to write something down for the future – perhaps a message, a favourite memory or even a prediction for the future. You could keep these in a memory book or hide them away to be opened at a special time in the future, such as your child’s 18^th birthday. Another fun ‘game’ that creates a lasting memento would be a hand/footprint station, where the younger guests can leave their mark on a special birthday canvas that could be kept as a keepsake.

Looking after a 1-year-old is a full-time job, so don’t give yourself too much to do by planning a big celebration. Especially not if you’re only doing it to keep up with the ‘insta family’ lifestyle. At the end of the day, your baby won’t remember their first birthday, but you will – and since you’ve made it through a long and challenging year, you deserve this celebration as much as they do! Keep it simple, keep it in budget, and make sure you take lots of photos.