Baby's First Birthday: Creating Traditions and Planning Celebrations

First birthdays are celebrations not just for the birthday girl or boy, but also for parents. You've survived the first year of diapers, learned how to effectively get baby food stains out of the carpet, and developed the skill of managing your day on only four hours of sleep. Meanwhile, your baby has celebrated first teeth, first steps, and discovering that first favorite teddy bear or bedtime story. It has been a year filled with trials and tribulations for both of you. Through it all, you've watched your child grow and develop her own personality, and you've fallen in love with her over and over again. Now, as you approach her first birthday, you wonder just how to celebrate this momentous occasion.

Throwing a party for a 1-year-old can be a tricky affair. At this age your child is not really expecting a birthday party. If you decide to throw a party for your little one, you'll want to keep it simple and remember that your child is probably more comfortable celebrating his big day with an intimate group of family and/or friends. Naptimes and limited diets prevent your youngster and fellow 1-year-old friends from fully participating in a typical party atmosphere, particularly if the kids are not walking yet. However, there are some things you can do for young and old partygoers alike to make your celebration fun, safe, and memorable for everyone in attendance.