| Their very FIRST Birthday Party!!
Phew!! You made it through the first 12 months.
That's amazing.
And if it was your first child, there will never be another 12
months where so much happens ever again.
Think about it. The level of growth in all things for
all people in the family will never again be so intense and so immediate. It's
real sink or swim stuff, don't you think.
Most likely you have mastered:
- Driving with a child on board,
- Restless nights sleep - you and bub
- learning how to bathe, clothe, feed,
clean etc
- Drink cold tea
- Not get freaked out but a ton of stinky
diapers/nappies or laundry.
- The not so subtle art of staring, mouth
open, at the most wonderful thing in the world: your child.
You've had to research, write, and read as you've moved
along the "How to adjust to being a family" Freeway. You must have
also managed friends and their kids,
in-laws, well intentioned advice givers, perhaps a change in relationship with
your spouse, an adjustment of finances, the forlorn look of "don't I matter
anymore?" from well loved pets, how to hand this bundle of wonder over to complete
strangers, watch your body respond to being not pregnant (Mums) and watch her
body respond to not being pregnant (Dads)..
You have also been the target of every marketing message to one
of the biggest spending groups in history. Why? Because as parents you need to consume.
Parenting is a MASSIVE lifestyle change.
Given all the above ....
The first year done, at 12months it's a great time to
stop, breathe and have a look at what has happened and where things are headed. A small, simple first birthday party is needed to celebrate.
What else is needed....
The need to gather memories
The need to say THANKS.
The need to show off the worlds perfect child.
The need to tell the world you are a 1 yr old Parent
These are all valid reasons to want to celebrate your bub's first birthday
party in style.
The first is special and because of this let's have a
look at some key considerations. These thoughts are here to help you think about the whole first birthday party picture.
| Best FIRST
BIRTHDAY PARTY Considerations
Timing
Short and sweet. A hour is fine. Think of it like an extended morning tea. Any
longer and routine might be interrupted. The child doesn't care about their first birthday party,
they care about warmth, food, calm and the family unit.
Check the sleeping-feeding patterns of other bubs coming and choose the
best fit.
Invitations
About this time the handmade bug usually bites people and the virus lasts till
about age 10yrs.
Look at: How big is your family unit? What is the level of THANKS you are dishing out? How big a first birthday party do you really need to have?
Bub will have a small circle of friends so keep it close and informal.
Memory Gathering
A must!! A please give it some thought. Yes, we live in the digital age but you
can't video, snap pics and phone all at the same time. Get some help with this. From
people who do a reasonable job. The best batch of photos we ever had was from a
snap happy orderly who happened to be in the operating room as my wife has her
caesarian. We did a count of all the roles and this lady seemed to be part
of the show. Not sure what she was doing there but she did a fabulous job of
recording the whole operation. I said to her simply: "Take lots of photos with
lots of faces"
Film is cheap and digital is literally "free".
Have a variety of Keepsakes and mementos of the time.
Sending out notification to the world.
You might want to put an ad in the paper.
You do this for the future not for now. Think future & act now. A lot of people
think now and act now and the "memory pool " becomes a bit shallow.
Cakes
Who is this really for? I mean at age one, who is it for? Tip: have a simple
generic cake and candle. Don't freak your bub out. Store bought is fine, as long
as there is enough to go around. Remember you are going to "wrap" this in other
elements, have a build up and remind people about the day.
Allergies - may be lurking unawares. Don't have the usual suspects: egg,
peanut butter, citrus juice.
Food - some will have teeth, some won't. Goes for the kids too! Simple
and easy - finger food in small sizes will suit all.
Some mums will be breast feeding - a suitable area for them will be appreciated.
We've used a quite room at the other end of the house.
Families - good time to gather all esp. Grand Parents. Keep out those who
ruffle the family feathers - the stress isn't needed.
Tiredness in you and spouse. Don't bust a gut. Have the party when you
are both rested, even if it's not on the day!
Baby Proofing House - new things into the house might mean hazards. Watch
for random pick-ups of tea spoons and the like. For more mobile bubs make sure
the gates are in place and cupboards are locked. Protect the pets as well.
Games & Activities - not needed as the time will suit a free-for-all rug
crawl from the bubs present. No loud noises, just fun and closeness.
Nappy Change - allow parents to be self-sufficient. Set up a Change
Station: quiet room-splash mat-wipes-rubbish bin and any other nice touch you
can think of - hand cream worked well for us.
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The Future..
Perhaps the greatest bit of help we received at our
daughters first birthday party was the reminder of the old adage adopted by women around the
globe -- or so my darling Margaret tells me:
"When going out ladies, finish dressing and then go back into your bedroom
and remove one accessory"
I laughed at the time. And then we reviewed the photos
of us as New Parents. Stuff coming out of every pocket and space in clothes,
car and house. This is a good time to loosen the "be prepared" Scout motto
parents take an oath to uphold.
The next year will signal more changes as bub gets moving and up on two legs.
The less encumbered you are as a parent the more "in the moment" you can be.
Lessen the load and take life on the move in your stride.
| Best Birthday Suggestion
Short, simple and meaningful. Remember the routine you
have created. Make the FIRST one low in stress and when you look back at the
variety of memories and you show your child their first birthday party and you hear
with utter amazement "Is that me as a baby?" You'll know the party has been a
success.
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