Suggestions for daughter's first birthday party?

Question

We are on a tight budget this month, so I wanted to see if anyone had any ideas for making this a great birthday for my beautiful baby girl who deserves everything. I could use advice on gift ideas, decorations, as well as what kind of cake we should get her.

Answer 1

the dollar tree is great

they have balloons

plates

cheap party favors

as for the cake try making on and toping it with a little top that she might light or something in that nature

dont worry too much about the gifts

shes only one so im sure shed be fine with anything

Answer 2

Cupcakes. guests can decorate their own as an activity. kids love it. sprinkles, coloured icing, chocolate chips, mmmmmmmmm i want some

Answer 3

Don't worry about doing everything "up" so much!  Babycenter.com actually has a good article about how to celebrate your child's first birthday and they recommend keeping it kind of "low key".  Try to schedule it around her nap time and keep the party short - no more than 2 hours or so.  You can do easy foods for adults - like a pizza or just snacks.  If you plan to have other children her age, make sure to have finger foods that they can enjoy - cheese, cheerios, soft fruit, etc.  You can do a little smash cake for your daughter or her very own cupcake.  

The Dollar Store does have some nice decorations - you could do a multi colored theme or maybe just pick a bright color.  There's really no need to do a certain character - like Mickey or Dora.  She won't even remember!

Just remember that you don't need to spend a lot to make your daughter's first birthday memorable!  Spend a little on some film or digital prints to make a little album for her!  The memories for you and showing her the pictures will mean more than any special cake or decoration!

Have fun!

Answer 4

I know how you feel. We went crazy for our daughter's first and now we have scaled it down.  Now I always try to think of ways to save money and still make it fun & unique:

Make your own cupcakes/cake.

Make your own invitations.

For your theme, you don't have to get everything with the character on it.  For ex., my son just had a Mickey theme, and I found printables online (playhousedisney.com).  Also, I bought a few character items, but bought different colored untensils, plates, etc. to coordinate (red, yellow, black & white for Mickey)

Have it at home or at a park.  At home, plan some games for older kids and/or adults.  At the park, there is a playground for kids, so that's free entertainment.

Orientaltrading.com has great deals on all party supplies & favors.

Check out ebay for great deals on favors, supplies, etc.  

I try to make my own food for the party.

Enlist friends & family to help:  my mom helps with food, my sister helps with entertaining (she's very artistic so one year she face-painted the kids)

If you want to splurge on one thing & make it really special, we had a caricature artist for her first & everybody loved it.  We had Dan the Cartoon Man (search him on yahoo) and he was awesome!

For party favors, I try to find unique items b/c kids get too much candy and knick knack that they always throw out anyways.  Hand puppets, books, personalized crazy straws (search online), etc.  

Be creative & have fun!