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. 

9 Valid Reasons Why to Use a Party Planner for a 1st Birthday Party

If you are considering hosting your child's 1st birthday party, give serious thought to hiring a professional planner to assist in the planning, implementation, production, and overseeing, so that your vision for this special event is fulfilled.

Event Planners or Party Planners specialize in overseeing events from start to finish. Individuals, corporations, marketing firms, and associations throughout the world use their expertise.

If you have been to, seen, or heard about an event that WOWs people, there is a good chance that there is a Party Planner behind the scene making sure everything runs smoothly.

Here are 9 valid reasons why you should consider hiring a Party Planner to help produce your child's 1st birthday party.

1. Stress Reduction – Anything new is stressful and the self-imposed obsession to get your child's 1st birthday perfect can cause sleepless nights and conflicts with spouse and family, all adding tension to an event that is supposed to be joyful.  A professional Party Planner can reduce stress and oversee all the details, ensuring a successful event.
2. Network of Professionals – The Party Planner's job is to secure the best talent possible.  Do not rely on a website boasting, slick advertisement, or special reduced pricing.  Use the Planner's network of professional resources.
3. Experience – When your job and reputation is on the line, settling for okay is not an option.  Years of experience has taught these individuals the art of producing a successful party.
4. Creates the Vision – You have a theme, an idea, and a specific way you want your child's 1st birthday party to be, and the benefit of working with a Party Planner is that you only need to explain it once.  Their job is to make your dream a reality.
5. Negotiate Price - Professional buyers know a good price when they hear one and smell the bad deals before the ink dries on the contract. These are the individuals you want working for you when planning a 1st birthday party.
6. Stays Within Budget – Making dreams come true is not cheap, but when you are forced to work within a budget and do not have the power to increase prices, you make things happen.  The benefit of a Planner is the final detachment.  He or she can make decisions based on needs, not wants, allowing the party to be spectacular and on budget.
7. Professional Idea Machine – Pinterest.com is a great place for ideas, but when it comes to making it happen, it is just a website.  What you need in your corner is a person whose professional career is creating spectacular ambiance, not a crafter who takes pretty pictures and posts them on the Internet.
8. Provides Freedom –Let the Party Planner do the mundane jobs. You are the CEO of this event and your responsibilities are just to say "Yes" or "No". The Party Planner does the grunt work and research. After all, as a parent, you have an infant, children, spouse, co-workers, and extended family members all seeking your attention. Free up your time and let the Party Planner do the work.
9. Watching Your Back – Great people know they must rely on quality people to make sure an event runs correctly.  Watching your back is the Party Planner. Like a Vegas Floor Boss, they are monitoring for any problems and correcting them before you or your guests ever get a glimpse that a problem exists.

About the Author

Dale Obrochta is a professional entertainer that has participated in hundreds of 1st birthday parties and consistently works with Event Planners to insure the success of a party.  The knowledge shared has been gained from working with parents and Party Planners.

How to Plan A Child's First Birthday Party While Making It Special

Define what you're good at.  Can you cook, craft, bake, organize?  What skills do you bring to the party?

Define what others are good at doing.  My wife has informed me many times, "Honey, I need some balloon decorations, like super heroes." I'm a professional balloon entertainer, no big deal, but my wife would not ask her brother-in-law, the electrician, to make balloon figures.

Network with friends – This may be your first child, but the neighbor down the street is on their seventh child and has a lot of leftover birthday supplies / ideas.  Some of the best decorations are sitting in a closet just waiting to be used, or, better yet, find a new home.

Hire people – Do not expect family to be servers, or relatives to entertain a crowd.  Hire professionals who can make your event special, classy, and unique.

Delegate -  1st birthdays are special, and you will find many people in your family who would like to contribute to your child's special event. Aunts, uncles, and grandparents would be happy to help out on this special day if you ask them.

About the Author
Dale Obrochta is a professional entertainer who specializes in making larger groups of people laugh as one, while adding the personal touch making it extra special for the guest. Solve your entertainment needs like hundreds of other clients by contacting Dale. Its the right solution.