Organising any party can be loads of fun but when it came to organising my son’s first birthday party, I was beyond excited.
Tips for throwing first birthday bash:
1. Choose a theme or colour scheme
2. Write a guest list
3. Pick a venue
4. Plan your menu
5. Think decorations
6. Research games/activities
7. Cake time
8. Send invites
9. The party & the run-sheet
Choosing a theme or colour scheme
If a theme isn’t your thing, you could always simply choose a colour scheme for table decorations and balloons.
The theme we chose for Max’s birthday was Hot Air Balloon and there are many sites you can get ideas from. Here are some that we love:
http://babyology.com.au/
http://www.sweetthemes.com.au/
http://www.thepartyparlour.com.au/
Write a guest list
Once you figure out how many people you wish to invite, my tip would be type up your guest list in excel – I like to keep a column for names, a column for adults and a column for kids so you can easily see a tally. This way you don’t go overboard with the invitations and comes in handy for catering.
Pick a venue
If you don’t have suitable room at home, there are many places you can hold your birthday party at.
Check out your local play centre or activity centre – they will charge per head and can arrange a menu which is included.
For an inexpensive option, have the party at your local or favourite park. Some areas may need to be booked, especially if there is a bbq or table area. Often the local council will advise to get there very early to secure a table/area.
For any venue outdoors, I suggest a back-up plan in case the weather turns nasty.
Plan your menu
If you have a theme, you may want to incorporate some of the treats into your menu such as hot air balloon cookies, chocolate moulds, cupcakes and hot food.
You might want to also incorporate some tasty healthy such as fruit skewers.
Tip: if you are lucky enough to have someone offer to make/bring something for you, don’t be shy!
If you are planning a larger menu, think food that both adults and children can eat such as bbq, or a lamb on a spit and ring around your local butcher for the best price on meat.
Think decorations
You certainly don’t have to go to a lot of expense and hire costumes; you just need a little imagination.
Start with balloons, table cloths, napkins, plates, cups, cutlery, party hats and flags and don’t forget, pinata’s are popular and come in all sorts of themes from your party store or Spotlight.
Games & activities
Think of the age group of children that will be attending the party and try and pick some activities that all ages and all genders can enjoy.
Games are great like pass the parcel and treasure hunts.
Setting up a craft table can be lots of fun and can keep the little ones entertained for hours and face painting is great for the older kids also.
We bought a jumping castle for the smaller kids – it was inexpensive and was a huge hit. You could also hire one for the day.
Tip: think of a fun way to incorporate things you already have at home such as a jumping competition on the trampoline.
Always great to give away little prizes for each game or activity and my tip for a past the parcel prize would be a toys’r’us voucher! Perfect for all ages and both boys and girls.
Birthday cake
Birthday cakes can be quite expensive to purchase, and if you don’t have someone who is a whizz at cake decorating, choose a birthday cake that you know you can do yourself and will be something to be proud of.
Most popular birthday cakes are Elmo, truck, car, Dora, Diego, Barbie, pirate, dinosaur and princess cake.
Invitations
Are you sending by mail, verbal or e-vite?
There are many fabulous online invitation sites that help you design your own invitation and email out but if you are feeling creative – my tip would be to make your own personalized invitation.
Get your invite out at least 4 weeks prior as to give families as much notice as possible.
The party & the run sheet
What is this I hear you ask? Working to a run sheet can help make sure everything goes smoothly and also good reminder of what you need to do and when.
Start with the week before To Do: shopping, order cake, order balloons, confirm venue etc
Then, night before: bake cupcakes, do up lollie bags, wrap up past the parcel, make cookies and clean the house
Morning – pre party: set up jumping castle, set up tables, put up decorations, pick up balloons, get ice, get bread and make fairy bread etc
Party: 10am guests arrive. 10.30am first game, 11.00am second game, 11.30 lunch, 12.30 third game then free time, 1.30 cake and presents, 2pm lolly bags on departure.
The tricky part now is to stop and look at your baby’s face, take in his smile and his excitement. Enjoy your day and take lots of photos!
