1st Birthday Party Ideas: Invitations, Themes and Favors

Baby's 1st birthday is a momentous occasion. Naturally, you want it to be perfect. It's important to put some planning into a 1st birthday party, especially if you need to save money. Getting your birthday party invitations and choosing themes and favors in advance will ensure that everyone at the party will have a good time.

1st Birthday Invitations

If you've chosen a 1st birthday party theme based on a popular TV, movie or story book character, you can get all your invitations at a store like Party City or Birthday Express. If your party theme is more generic, you may be able to get printable birthday invitations for free. You can also design 1st birthday party invitations on your home computer. Get a clip art picture or photo your chosen birthday party theme character or item for free online. You can find all the pictures you need on a site like Clker.com or SXC.hu. Create an 8 1/2 by 11 inch document on your home computer in your photo processing software. Divide the document in half, then place the picture on the right side. Create a second document with the same dimensions, and place the birthday party information such as the date, time, place and RSVP information on the right side of that document. Print the invitation on both sides of a piece of light-colored card stock.

1st Birthday Themes

Disney party themes such as Disney princesses, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse are very popular for 1st birthday parties. Sesame Street themes like Elmo and Zoe are also favorites. Other great 1st birthday party themes include Winnie the Pooh and Tigger, cupcake, fairy, butterfly, ladybug and Baby Einstein themes. Whatever you choose for your little boy or girl, make sure that your cake, invitations, favors, plates, cups, tablecloths, balloons and other decorations match or complement your birthday party theme.

1st Birthday Favors

You can save a lot of money by making your own homemade 1st birthday party favors. Bake up a batch of cookies or make homemade favor bags or boxes with toys and candy. You can even buy the bags or boxes based on your chosen birthday party theme, then fill them up with store-bought treats. Just make sure that any treats you make or any toys or candy you purchase are safe for 1 year old children.

For more ideas on this topic, read Ideas for 1st Birthday Party Decorations and Games and Homemade Birthday Invitations for Kids' Parties.