I’ll be honest. When the idea of a first birthday party popped up, a little voice in my head asked, “What’s the point?” My daughter won’t remember anything beyond the photos and videos. This party felt like it was more for the adults. But looking back, I’m so incredibly glad we celebrated.
That first birthday party isn’t just about the baby; it’s a chance for parents, family, and friends to mark the incredible milestone of navigating that first year. It’s a celebration of survival, love, and stepping firmly into your new role as a parent, much like a joyful wedding reception.
But where does one even begin planning a first birthday bash?
For us, the journey started with a theme. It needed to be a little whimsical for a kid’s party. My process of choosing the theme mirrored my daughter’s first year. She is our rainbow baby. I began gardening while struggling through my journey to motherhood. (Check out my podcast episode to hear my story) I told myself if nothing was to grow in me, I’ll keep planting things in my garden until something grows in me. So I knew I wanted to incorporate that garden and rainbow concept in her first year. The constant in my kiddo’s first year? Storytime. And just like that, the “Birthday Book Theme” blossomed into a unique “Birthday Garden Theme” for her first birthday, which I called: One for the Books: Garden Party.
Still Searching for Your First Birthday Theme?
Think about the highlights of your child’s first year. Was there a favorite toy? A new family hobby? A cherished childhood passion of your own? Let those moments inspire your first birthday theme.
Bringing a “Birthday Book Theme” Party to Life (with a Touch of Garden)
So, how did this delightful mix of a “Birthday Book Theme” and “Birthday Garden Theme” come together for our first birthday celebration? Let’s start with the look and feel.
The Venue: Keep it Simple for Your First Birthday
My biggest piece of advice for a first birthday venue? Don’t break the bank. Unless you have a generous budget, hosting at home or a loved one’s place is ideal. Low-cost options, such as church basements or clubhouses, can also be effective. Save those pennies for other memorable aspects of the first birthday.
Decorations: Weaving Books and Gardens into Our First Birthday Party
I started right at my daughter’s bookshelf to bring the “Birthday Book Theme” and “Birthday Garden Theme” to life. I wanted to showcase the stories we shared throughout her first year, alongside some new additions that tied into the garden aspect. I found three wonderful books focusing on gardens and produce: I Can Eat A Rainbow by Olena Rose, Jayden’s Impossible Garden, and When Grandma Gives You a Lemon Tree by Jamie L.B. Deenihan.
Since my little one arrived in April, I anticipated rain and brought the garden indoors. Hanging flowers greeted our guests, adding a touch of the “Birthday Garden Theme.” I used repurposed mason jars, budget-friendly hangers, affordable fresh blooms from Trader Joe’s, and supplemental paper flowers. Decorating became a lovely family affair, with everyone pitching in on centerpieces and party prep for the first birthday.
A photo booth is practically a first birthday party staple! I created an arch with eucalyptus and those paper flowers as the base. However, the real magic, blending the “Birthday Book Theme” with a personal touch, was the inclusion of mini-book takeaways. My amazing Godmother helped me create these booklets filled with fun facts about my daughter. They served as charming decorations on the arch and tables, and doubled as sweet mementos. Here’s a template for inspiration.
The Food: A Fresh and Vegan “Birthday Garden Theme” Feast
Keeping the “Birthday Garden Theme” in mind, our menu leaned towards fresh, vibrant fruits and vegetables, complemented by Mediterranean flavors. As a vegan family aiming for a low-key celebration, I opted for catering from a local Middle Eastern restaurant, which served delicious falafel and jackfruit shawarma. Catering truly helped keep the first birthday party stress-free. My initial plan was to handle the fresh produce, punch, and hummus while ordering the warm and sweet dishes. But life had other plans – I ended up baking the cake!
I had already enlisted my mom to bake my daughter’s mini cake because my mom would always sing “Patty Cake” with my daughter. Now was certainly her time to shine. But now this non-baker had to step up to create a vegan dessert with buttercream frosting. Cue the internal stress, but also a surge of determination! Thankfully, my talented baker friend and sorority sister from Gourmet Girl Custom Cakes came to the rescue, pointing me to her favorite vegan vanilla cake recipe. This recipe was a winner! For the frosting, I adapted a vegan Swiss buttercream recipe, using a mix of vegan butter and shortening based on recommendations from various YouTubers. Having experimented with aquafaba before, I took a leap of faith and whipped up the frosting. The wait for those perfect peaks was the most nerve-wracking part! Assembling and icing the cakes, I channeled my inner Meghan Markle by adding fresh strawberries to the frosting. I ended up making two cakes and drizzled a little chocolate on one of them. Because I doubled the cake recipe but not the frosting recipe, both cakes were semi-naked cakes.
Finally, the vibrant veggie tray with hummus and a rainbow fruit tray were assembled just before our “Birthday Garden Theme” first birthday celebration. I incorporated hummus into the veggie tray and assembled it like plants, using carrots and slices of peppers with snap peas as “grass.” For the rainbow fruit tray, I created a colorful arrangement of fruit with vegan meringue, utilizing aquafaba once again for this sweet, cookie-like treat at the end of the rainbow.
The Wishlist: Practical Gifts for the Year Ahead
When creating your first birthday wishlist, think beyond clothes (you’ll get plenty!). Focus on practical items that will be useful as your child continues to grow. We asked for things like hand sanitizer, more cloth diapers, and feeding essentials.
Reflecting on Our First Year
I’ve hosted many parties, but there was something uniquely special about my daughter’s first birthday party. It felt like a beautiful introduction to my new world as a parent. I remembered my cousin’s wise words after a big holiday meal: “Are you going to sit down and eat?” Yes, cousin, I have finally done so.
Take a moment, a long moment, to truly soak in your child’s first birthday. It’s a milestone that only happens once. Socialize with your loved ones who came to celebrate. Don’t fret if your little one needs a nap – this day is truly a celebration of you as a parent. Congratulations!
Want to grab an item mentioned in this post?
- I Can Eat A Rainbow by Olena Rose ( https://amzn.to/4jtkHR7)
- Jayden’s Impossible Garden https://amzn.to/4jtkHR7
- When Grandma Gives You a Lemon Tree by Jamie L.B. Deenihan https://amzn.to/3RcnAcV
- Hangers ( https://amzn.to/3RcnAcV)
- Paper flowers ( https://amzn.to/42gZOBu)
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