1St Birthday Ideas - Sturgis,SD

For my son's first birthday, I did it at home and the theme was "Planes, Trains and Automobiles. I covered the kitchen table with white paper and drew a road and cityscape. I made a big birthday banner and made paper chains out of construction paper. The colors were primary colors. For food, I made "kid staples" - homemade chicken nuggets (Paula Deen's "Sour Cream & Onion" chip nuggets), homemade mac and cheese, french fries. I didn't do any activities because opening the presents was enough entertainment for everyone. I did have everyone write a letter to Trenton for him to open when he turns 20. We sealed them up and I have put them in a safe place. This was so important because two years later, my little brother was killed in a car accident and now my son has a letter to open on Dec. 7, 2024 from his Uncle BB.

NYMetroMom is right -- this is for the adults, not the kids. Because of that I wouldn't even worry about a theme unless you're really determined to have one. The kids won't notice. MetroMom is also right about skipping stuff like inflatable bouncy rides or clowns or whatever -- a waste of money for kids this young and they might even be scared of things like clowns or magicians.

The keys are size and timing. Your list of 25 to 30 sounds huge and will be hard to juggle; if you can't easily fit everyone into your house, the list is too big, because these kids are way young for a party at some party facility. All your kid guests are still very much nap-age children who are easily overstimulated. Nothing kills everyone's fun like kids melting down because it's past naptime, they're wired or tired, and too much noise/sugar/being somewhere that's not home sent them over the edge.

Find a time that allows the parents to get the kids home for their naps. Possibly a late-morning "play date party" ending with a light lunch of finger foods (so the adults aren't sitting at a table trying to watch kids who are running around), then everyone's gone right after lunchtime. For my daughter's 2nd we had a play date with her playgroup friends and families and kept it short like that.

You could do the play date/light lunch party for the friends and/or family with young kids, then do something separate with family who are without kids, maybe an early dinner at your house after your son's naptime, then he goes to bed and the adults can visit with each other.

Keep it simple. I've always done italian beef, mostacoli, and salad but this last time I had mexican...taco and cheese quesidillas for the kids...a big hit....Have it at your house if you can...It's just a first birthday. :)

For my son's first birthday, I did it at home and the theme was "Planes, Trains and Automobiles. I covered the kitchen table with white paper and drew a road and cityscape. I made a big birthday banner and made paper chains out of construction paper. The colors were primary colors. For food, I made "kid staples" - homemade chicken nuggets (Paula Deen's "Sour Cream & Onion" chip nuggets), homemade mac and cheese, french fries. I didn't do any activities because opening the presents was enough entertainment for everyone. I did have everyone write a letter to Trenton for him to open when he turns 20. We sealed them up and I have put them in a safe place. This was so important because two years later, my little brother was killed in a car accident and now my son has a letter to open on Dec. 7, 2024 from his Uncle BB.

What are your interest and what does your son like.

We did a Sesame Street theme for my son because when I was pregnant with him Target had a huge clearance on Sesame Street Items in the dollar spot them I researched and found other ideas on great party ideas that were Sesame Street themed and I made small clearance purchases through out the year. I went on craigslist and found a business that clearanced out all their Sesame Street items and I got all my napkins, plates, stickers, hats, headbands streamers etc for $25.00.

I would choose a theme that works with your interest or that is readily available

1st birthday parties are for the parents - not for the child since they have no idea what's going on, only want to be comfortable and take naps at their usual time, and stay in their routine.

I would avoid any kind of entertainment - clowns, bounce houses, etc are jsut way over the top and create stree for you and the baby can't enjoy them anyway.

Keep it to only family and one or two close friends. Food that can be made in advance is good like lasagna, BBQ beef or pulled pork with sandwich rolls on the side, salads made ahead of time, in bowls ready to be served, appetizers like veggies, cheese and crackers that are all done ahead of time and brought out as needed. Your "best friends" at a time like this is lucite serving bowls/platters and plastic wrap over the top of stuff. (Pizza is also always an option!)

For desert, cupcakes are the best since they're easy to serve, (no cake cutting required) dixie cups or popsicles for ice cream, and fruit salad and/or cookies.

Advance preparation makes it easy to get baby taken care of as needed. As for themes - I'm too far out of the toddler loop these days to know what's popular other than Yo Gabba Gabba or Dora the Explorer.... But to me a theme is never neccessary. Parties are all about enjoying time with the people you love and celebrating milestones. :o) Take time to enjoy this, assign yours or you husband's sister or brother to videotape & photograph the party so you'll be able to look back at it all one day.