First Birthday - Page 2

[ryansma]

Searching for unique first birthday ideas I love the making onesies idea :

[alexsam]

Don't put a sad face! It can be fun!

First, you don't *need* a "theme", but if you want to, they are only limited by your imagination! Let me think.... 1st birthday... Shapes? Rainbows? Bugs? Flowers? Animals? Water? Fruits? Pinwheels? Ducks? Hats? Go nuts!

I also think one of the things that "cheapens" kids birthdays (besides the commercial themes and later the competative games, junk bags, etc.) is the ton of waste- paper and plastic tablecloths, dishes, silverware, cups, etc. It makes it feel like the whole thing is just a quick and throw away event. Which I don't think it is. It is a special day! This year, I went to the thrift /2nd hand stores and got REAL cloth tablecloths and table settings. I made decorations out of cloth and rope (which came out amazingly beautiful- I had them around the house drying and ds1 woke up and literally gasped in awe at how magically they transformed the livingroom). I plan on putting some dandilions in some jars for table decorations. It changes the whole feeling from paper/plastic temporary and throw away to a feeling of substance and investment and things being real when you ditch all that "party" waste.

I don't do loot bags... we do a craft that the kids take home. Last year, it was decorating canvas bags. This year we will make bird-balls out of seed and peanutbutter. In the past we have painted flowerpots, done tie-dye, and painted frames. I've also heard of people handing out burned CD's of their kids favorite music and gave that to take home. Brilliant! I've heard of some people giving a book. Nice!

We do fun cakes. They can be anything- whatever you like. We've gotten ours frequently from Wholefoods and they are great. But I could totally see carrot cake or apple cake... Cupcakes or whatever.

I've also made DVD's of each year from photos. It is super at a party when they are playing. I also try to establish some traditions. We have a special birthday flag... And the night before their birthday, I tell the story of their birth and we look at the pictures.

Really- once you free yourself from the patry store and take a minute to envision the real, best party... it can be great.

[steelmagnolia9]

Since the last thing dd1 needed on her 1st bday was more "stuff", we asked that everyone write her a letter as a gift. I put the letters in a scrapbook. It has meant so much to go back and look at the letters - especially since my mom passed away a few months after the fact.

We will do the same for dd2's 1st bday.

[alexsam]

Thats a great idea! 1 yr olds really don't need a ton of stuff .

I also suggest (for my "big boy" too) that friends consider donating to a charity in lieu of a gift. It turns out some do that and some bring a present anyway, and so he ends up with a few presents, but not a whole ton.

I often suggest Birthday Angels: http://www.birthday-angels.org/site/...d=70698&lat=en (which gives birthday parties for kids in Israel that wouldn't have them otherwise, so in their gift it gives another child the joy of a birthday party...). But there are LOTS of options. Another friend asked guests to consider bringing supplies for the local raptor center (sponges, paper towels, etc.).

[amynbebes]

I just did one for my babe and we used solid colors. A friend of mine did the cake and did a baby that looked kinda like him on it wearing a bday hat, cute

[m00npie]

for DD1 first bday we had a cookout at a local beach/park there was no theme, just family and fun, i made cupcakes and fit them together and wrote happy birthday allie with a letter on each cupcake. for the first party there is no need to stress about themes and whatnot if there is going to bwe lots of kids just plan around them, my aunt bought some shovel and pail sets and a ton of those foam stickers for the kids to decorate at her son's 1st bday, water balloon fights, squirt guns, bubbles etc and grab some party favors from a dollar store. if your dead set on a theme try something he's fond of like an animal he likes, his fave color etc. dollar stores are great they have really cool stuff.
heres a site with abunch of non commercial themes
http://www.afirstbirthdayparty.com/

[sapphire_chan]

How would you decorate for a regular adult party? Do that and put up some pictures of him and include a birthday cake. First birthdays are sooo not for the baby.

[SamanthaPankey]

Balloon party or a Curious George party would be a great option.