How to host a First Birthday Party.

Baby’s first birthday is a wonderful rite of passage that only happens once. You want to make it a special day for you and your guests to remember.

This would be a great day to start a time capsule for the baby. Have all of your guests bring something from the past year (i.e. a coin or newspaper clipping of a big event) to put into the time capsule. Or have each guest write a special letter to the birthday child. Find a large box, metal can, or plastic container to place everything in and label it “Do not open until (Baby’s name)’s 18th birthday.”

One way to help your guests get to know baby, especially those who live far away, is to place facts about him or her around your home. Make up cards listing when baby got her first tooth, first word, weight at birth, length at birth, favorite food, when did he crawl, etc. You could also make this into a game by handing out pens and paper and quizzing your guests on the facts that you put out. Whoever gets the most right wins a prize.

Don’t forget to have a small cake just for baby. Place a plastic tarp or garbage bag under the high chair to make clean up easy. Let baby did into the cake with his hands and get as messy as he pleases. It is great fun for everyone.

The first birthday party is a special day that can be made more special if you implement some of the above ideas. Make sure you take many pictures and have a bunch of fun.