Birthday Party for a One Year Old

What about a "1st" party? Have a cake with the number "1", party bags filled with goodies such as a "1" cookie and a small puzzle (I've seen Care Bears, Spiderman, Strawberry Shortcake and many others at the Dollar Tree for ...yes, $1!) :) Add a little tag to the ribbon that says something like, "Thanks for '1' Special Birthday with (fill in child's name)!"

Party City has the "1" pinata and balloons and bibs and so forth; so, it should be easy to find "1" things, if you choose to do it.

I love the photographer idea and so many shared here, by the way!

I went to my friends daughters one year old birthday party recently and they had a pinata that had streamers on the bottom and when the little kids pulled it all the candy fell out and she filled it with toddler fruit snack and small toys, it was great because most of the kids there were under 2. If you want to save some money you can plan a party during a time that a meal is not expected like 2-5 depending on her nap schedule. For my daughters bday I ordered two dozen beach ball from the oriental trading company and blew them up and put them in the backyard there were different sizes and the kids had so much fun with them then I let them take them home afterward. Also my family has started this thing where we email our kids "wish list" this may be tacky but because we are all family, and very close, (& you know who would be offended by reciving something like this) it is a huge help it just has ideas and clothing sizes to help because so many of them have everything and some live in other cities and it is hard to keep up with what they are in to, and it is not expected to buy off the list, and if someone does we reply to everyone in the email what we bought so there arnt a lot of duplicates it is very helpful to go shopping with a list of sizes in hand. I just thought this was a great way to let people know and it cuts down for me at least standing in the toy isle trying to get a hold of someone to ask if they have this or would want it.

For my daughter's 1st birthday, her gift was a photographer to come to her party. The pictures are worth more than any toy I could have ever given her. The party favors were coloring book's for target's dollar bin with a wooden puzzle, also from the dollar bin, tied together with ribbon.

Actually I have a great idea...it will not be at home and but it is inexpensive and great for children that age. Mcdonalds does parties, and with 10 children I think it is about 50.00 dollars or so...each child gets a happu meal of their choice and all the fun they want in the play area. Even doing something at home can get expensive. When I do home parties I go all out with pinata's, goodie bags, games, prizes, hot dogs and anyway it usually ends up being WAY MORE then a planned party somewhere. Like I said Mcdonalds is great and very cheap, I thank you might have to provide your own cake though. Good luck, I have been there for sure!!

You can buy a cupcake with one candle (cookie cutter) at www.foosecookiecutters.com and have them decorated... you could give away decorated cookies in a bag. I have a great recipe I would be happy to share.. it's a bland cookie, almond/vanilla, and the icing is sweet. lol

Games at a 1 year party would be for older kids right? No one expects 1 year olds to play games... lol

But you could have a pinata for the older kids. By the time you eat,have cake/ice cream and open gifts... that is all I'd do for a 1 year party.

My son's first birthday is actually tomorrow...and we're having the party on Saturday.

For his party we got inexpensive decorations at a discount party supply, bought the cake from Albertson's (local grocery) and invited all of the family to celebrate with hamburgers and hotdogs and the fixins (kinda a pot luck thing).

Why would it be necessary for you to have a party for a one year old. He won't remember it and won't be able to play any games. If you'd like to invite some of his "friends" that would be fine...but "friend" parties are better suited for those who can actually participate in them.

As for inexpensive gifts, there is a discount party supply place (actually there's 2 of them) in the DFW area that have GREAT deals on various party favors. Cheaper than wal mart...and if you plan ahead, look on line with oriental trading company. They can set you up on favors at a reasonable cost (even with shipping).

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to your daughter!! I wish you both nothing but great thing!!!

I personally love pinata parties, especially with a mexican theme (like Dora). Rice and Beans are really cheap to make and most kids eat them just fine, then you just buy chips, nacho cheese and if you want to splurge, make some quesadillas with just mozzarella cheese...Enjoy!

Whenever I have little ones 3 and under I always print character printables from the internet and put some crayons out for each to share. For the older kids you can print crossword puzzles etc. My kids love pin the tail on the donkey and musical chairs. They also like to play freeze dance when you play some music and then stop the music and the first on you see freeze gets a prize. Check out the dollar tree and the dollar section in target. They always have cute little items for a buck~ As for a cake, the last party I went too the little one's sister made two box cakes in a square, place on top of the other, covered in white icing and put gummi bears all over for decoration. It was really cute and inexpensive.