Tips for A Successful 1st Birthday Party

Planning a first birthday party is not difficult if you using the F.I.R.S.T. formula. Dale Obrochta, a professional balloon entertainer developed this formula for new parents struggling to create a first birthday party.  To often new parents are overwhelmed with the process of planning a 1st birthday and seek advice from family and friends just to learn that it has been years, if not decades, since planning a 1st birthday and have very little advice to help on planning a 1st birthday.

Looking to Pinterest is fun, but overwhelming you with ideas.  Here is a video that explains F.I.R.S.T. formula and give great tips on planning a 1st birthday party.

Money Saving Gift Bag Ideas for a 1st Birthday Party

Sometimes the 1st birthday party is a little more expensive then what we want it to be.  There is a lot to think about when planning a party.   Invitations, are you making them or buying them?  Decorations, how many do you need, and is there a theme to the party?  Food, cater or make it yourself?  See.  What did I tell you?  Gift bags, don’t forget gift bags at a birthday party.  All these little details have to be thought out once you selected a date.

It seems that the gift bag is always left to the very last moment, and sometimes forgotten in the big picture. I have decided, to give gift bags only to the little people who are coming to the party.

So what do I give them, candy, cupcakes, or little toys that parents can step on in the middle of the night? 
I myself have given candy.  It is easy, toss candy in little decorative baggies and you are done.  I know, lame.  Sometimes you just do not have time, money, energy or worse yet an idea what to give. 


Looking on line I have seen a bunch of cool things that are inexpensive and easy to use for gift bags. I personally like the dollar store. I get about 80% of the stuff from this stores and is my go-to place when it come to kid's birthday parties.

Be it a theme or favorite colors, here are some cute birthday parties gift bag ideas.
 

1. Customize water bottles, print custom monogrammed labels on pink or blue labels,  and adhered the label to a water bottles.
2. Staying on the label idea, you can use the theme and put a picture on the label and you can stick it to anything.  How about, a chocolate bar, bubbles, or juice boxes to name a few.
3. Make your own cookies.  Cut out the shape of the theme of the party.  Frost and bag them in little baggies. All kids love homemade cookies.

4. Chalk.I love giving chalk.  We use so much chalk during the summer it is crazy.  Get colored bags from the dollar store and boxes of chalk.  Put a couple of pieces of chalk in each bag and there you go.
5. If you are going with a farm or cowboy theme, use bandanas.  Use them as sacks by tying  ends together, stuff with treats and goodies for the kids.  Each person gets bandana a little package.
6. Little buckets with shovels, bubbles, sand sifter.  Even if it is not a beach them, they are easy to carry and hold all the goodies.

About the Author
Michelle Obrochta is a mother of two boys, a wife to a entertainer, and runs an balloon business. Planning is a passion of Michelle's, and is always quick to volunteer to help in planing an event, participate in a school function, or help make the event special. 

Baby's First Year

The 1st birthday party is always the biggest one.  I guess it is because you went from having this little person in your tummy for 9 months and then having to care for every single little need for the last year.  You are so happy that this child is just happy and healthy.  Everything you have done in the last 12 months has lead up to this special day.  You have been through sleep deprived nights, going to doctors' offices, lugging around about 100 lbs of stuff for an afternoon at your sister’s house, and making sure that you have your camera ready because if they do something cute you need to post it on Facebook. 

You have been there for every important first in their lives.  The first smile (the one that is on purpose not the one that they have when they pass gas), the first time they roll over, the first time they giggle, the first time they crawl, the first time they finally figure out that they can make noise.  The first tooth and all that comes along with that.  I can go on and on and on about all of the firsts but that would be the rest of the article. 

You are the most important person in that little person’s life.  You know what every little sound and cry means.  You know when they are happy and you can take their picture, and you know when they are crabby and you just have to hold them close and rock them until they stop crying. 

I think the birthday industry has gotten it wrong.  This 1st birthday party should be all about you.  You have managed to keep this little person fed, mostly dry, happy, and loved.  You deserve the credit.  You deserve a party.  Therefore, I have decided that instead of a 1st birthday party for the little one you have cared for, it should be about the parents.  Ok, I understand that probably will not happen.  But it was a good idea!

About the Author
Michelle Obrochta is a mother of two boys, a wife to a entertainer, and runs an balloon business. Planning is a passion of Michelle's, and is always quick to volunteer to help in planing an event, participate in a school function, or help make the event special. 

Infographic: Tips on How to Prevent Birthday Party Mess

Unless you have been through this, you just cannot imagine how mess things get and how quickly you are wearing cake, so here are some tips and trick on how to keep clean at that special birthday party.