- Develop a small guest list including only those family members and friends closest to you and your child. Hold the party in your home or the home of a close relative. If the weather is warm, try to hold the party outside, under shade so the little ones can run around. If during colder months, unless you have a huge playroom, keep the guest list small so everyone isn't cramped in one room.
- Come up with a party theme, such as animals, Sesame Street or Clifford the Big Red Dog. If you're handy with scissors, paper and glue, make homemade invitations by cutting out a number "1" and gluing on folded construction paper. Or copy a photo of your child when he/she was a baby, glue on front and come up with a caption like "Look Who's Turning One." If you don't have time to make them, pick up inexpensive invitations that match plates, cups, napkins and table cloth.
- Keeping the party theme in mind, you can buy helium balloons (order ahead from local store) that match the theme or buy Happy Birthday streamers. Skip the hats, blowers and anything that a one-year old can't enjoy. If you order a party package on-line, you can include theme-based wall decals. A small bakery cake is fine decorated with theme or with a photo of your child. Homemade cupcakes displayed on a cupcake stand are a great idea too. Whatever you serve, be prepared to wipe lots of faces.
- If the party is outside, have large balls and bubbles available as a one-year old won't be able to do much else except run around. If held inside, any safe toys you have will be fine for tiny guests to play with.
