Some people don’t seem to think that first birthday parties are very important. They don’t care because they think it won’t make any difference to the baby so why throw a party? The baby just sits there in a stroller while other people chat. Sure its fun for the folks who come but isn’t the point that the birthday boy or girl have a good time? This sort of thinking about first birthday parties is fairly short-sighted.
For centuries people celebrated first birthday parties because it was a great accomplishment for an infant to live past their first year. Many babies died soon after birth, so making it through the first year of life was a big accomplishment. Another reason why a first birthday party is important is that it helps to create a tradition of support and love for the child. You are able to introduce the new child to friends, family and neighbors, giving them an opportunity to get to know each other. Concerned people can come into your home and start to form a bond with the new child. This can have a surprising impact on their relationships in the future and the sort of support people will show for the child.
Because of its importance, you need to know how to throw a memorable first birthday party. So how does one throw a good first birthday party? It isn’t quite like a normal party, where you ask the birthday person what they would like and who to invite.
Described below are five tips to help you to throw the best party possible:
1.) Invite a wide range of people. There is no reason why a first birthday party should have only one group or type of people in attendance. Invite friends, neighbors and relatives of every age to the party in order to garner as much support for the parents and the baby as possible from as many people as possible.
2.) Provide a fun party favor for everyone. Because your baby cannot speak there is a good chance that everyone will leave the party and forget about the child. In order to help them remember why they came, provide a party favor, perhaps a goody bag or a photo magnet of your child, for them to take home.
3.) Don’t organize a bunch of activities or games as this takes attention away from the baby. If you want the party to be focused on the baby, do not distract people with other activities. It is also important that you keep the party fairly short so as not to tax the baby’s strength and energy.
4.) Have all the guests write good wishes for the baby on a large card. In years to come the child, and eventually the adult, will be able to read the card and see how much support there was for them even as a baby. This also provides a lasting reminder of the occasion.
5.) Clean and decorate your house. Simple, theme-specific decorations help to set the occasion apart as special. A party without decorations just isn’t a party. Cleaning your house shows self-respect as well as respect for your guests.
These are just a few ideas that have worked for me while planning and throwing first birthday parties. Brainstorm with your friends and relatives to come up with more great first birthday ideas.
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