[mama_again]

Long email... but i am having 1st birthday jitters and joy all at once... entertaining, hosting and planning. i know i am supposed to breathe and enjoy the day. it is in a couple of weeks, but planning for the month now...
Are there any tips on making it smoother as it will be in our home to make it easier for everyone that travels.
any do's and don't on 1st birthday's would be SO appreciated.
we have the supplies, the cake is ordered (i know, not making my own) i am better cook than baker. DVD's made for all to see this year, photo, life book etc. food will be ordered and some made the day before (not the morning of)
Any tips to help us with party favors?
we want to do a photo shoot and place a pic in the frame in a goody bag with goodies.
Is this too much?
Any tips on the favors???
I have looked up so many sites and there are so many tips, but I love to hear real stories.
A coworker said there is a new thing of stomping on the cake with goulashes! (not too sure about that tip)
Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart. Psalm 37: 4

[myheart]

Not sure about the stomping of the cake, but be sure to have a special cake just for the b-day child, so that he/she can dig their little hands in. Let the b-day child get messy with the special b-day cake.
This is the first b-day... so go all out we did. In Hawaii, the 1st b-day party is huge...so we went big. It's the first one after all...it's very special. Last tip ,ENJOY, ENJOY,ENJOY this special day!

[mama_again]

Thank you myheart... we do want to make it pretty special for this 1st birthday... lots to do in little time...
again,, thank you much

[bajj]

We had a big party for our oldest when he turned 1, but scaled down with the next child because honestly, the 1st birthday is more for the parents. The child doesn't know what is going on and don't be surprised if she's a bit fussy that day with all the attention and company that will be over.

Just keep an eye on her and if she gets over stimulated, you might need to take her in a quiet room with just the 2 of you for a little while.

I think you'll do fine planning it and having party favors, etc. Take lots of pics!

[mama_again]

Bajj, thank you for the great tip of quiet time...she is a real mama's girl, and it is evident even with the bgrand visits. we want to make this a special day for everyone. we chose home for our baby girl, since she get overwhelmed with big crowds, noises. She loves shopping though...LOL

thanks so much... I will take these too heart and let all know how it turns out...
blessings...

[jalapeno]

My son has his first birthday in just over a month. I can't believe it! And we actually just had our daughter's 2nd birthday party today My advice is to delegate whatever you can. It's a special day for everyone who loves your daughter so let them be a part of the action! It may not be perfect and may not get done quite how you pictured but then you'll have more time with the birthday girl! And I've been surprised in my life how people really rise to the occasion when asked

[mama_again]

Another awesome tip about delegating.. thank you jalpeno. I am going to ask someone to help with the serving etc. to free me from running around.. I am getting excited as it is getting closer...
lots to do for this very precious and special day... Wow, where did the year go? thanks again

[nikkianni]

We just had DD's first b-day party last month and it was HUGE. We both have large families so our house was bursting.
We didn't do goody bags. There were only three other children present and one was an infant, so I didn't bother. Next year however I probably will do something for the older kids. A pinata maybe. This year there were just too many people and the place was too packed.
My biggest bit of advice would be to make sure the timing of the party takes into account nap times. We set DD's for right after her morning nap. Which would've been perfect had she decided to take a nap that morning.
She did really well anyway, but she has red rimmed eyes in all of her pics from that day.
My other piece of advice is to accept any offers of help you get. From cooking to cleaning, just say yes to everyone.

[mama_again]

Thank you Nikkiani... trying to time party later in the day, since naps usually only happen one time a day lately (hoping it won't happen when all arrive...LOL)... I love the just say 'yes' to help. I am trying to do that this year, since I am the one who usually says, 'no' I can get it,,,, but i think this year i want to delegate... i want to make sure we get great footage and pics taken for all that cannot attend... will try to take each bit of advice to heart, as things come up i will remember the entries i have read...
thanks everyone... will post party successes...