CELEBRATING BABY’S FIRST BIRTHDAY

As a new mum or a mother, there’s always this hype about your child’s first birthday. Whether you celebrate it or not you have that memory of his/her first birthday and how it was marked or remembered. For me, having your baby’s first birthday should not be an overwhelming thing, i know your baby first birthday is bound to be special and that is why both parents should pray for the child or children( in case of multiple children) and take them to church if the circumstance permits. Then if you are throwing a party afterwards or having a small intimate gathering of invited guest and family here are some tips to keep that day memorable without overwhelming yourself or child.

1. Keep it simple, invite neighbours, relatives, fellow parents and close friends because too many strange faces may scare your child, i mean you want a happy baby for those pictures. And let the party be short 1-2 hours maximum.....you don’t want to get your baby and other children cranky otherwise you may end up having a bunch of crying babies. Food made should be friendly for children most preferably small chops or biscuits, sandwiches, ice cream, etc. And then  rice or swallows for the adults.
2. Small party with fewer decorations: This is the best at this age, no need for mature party themes, and go for cartoon characters, hanging paper toys like planes, use party hats for added colour.
3. Party Venue: I say celebrate in your home, either indoor or with canopy outside...Remember how your first birthday party was from the pictures shown to you, it was always at home. But if your home or compound is not big enough, you can use an amusement park or child play space or a restaurant but i tell you doing it at home save cost and it makes your child more comfortable since he is familiar with the environment. That is why i suggest less crowd by keeping it simple.
4. Activities to get the children invited engaged:  Dancing competition with candy for winners, guessing nursery rhymes, ask someone it could be a friend or family member posing as the mc to read or sing the nursery rhyme

Safety Tips for the Party

Keep all breakables away

Clear the home of anything children can ingest that will harm them

Create a play space and keep toys there so that you can see the children playing with them

After party sterilize the toys, wash the ones that are stuffed with cloth

Don’t forget

Bake cake for baby it will make her picture even more colourful, then you can serve cupcake to guest.

Buy baby a special gift here are some ideas; Building blocks, push toys like the sit to stand baby walker or the push wagon, toy phone, toys with sounds, teddy bears.

Give guest children souvenirs like a fancy bag with story book and cupcakes or back to school essentials