how can I make my baby's first birthday a bit special?

[Stefka]

We are not doing much - just having some family round. We don't have any money right now but I would like to do something to make it a little special but am stuck for ideas. A theme? I can't think! I know he won't know but I have a SIL who will have an extravaganza for her DD who is the same age and although there is no way I can compete with that - nor do I want to - I don't want DS to have a totally rubbish party either. Something simple but effective would be nice!

Surely your DD won't really notice and will be just happy to have lots of people around giving her attention?

Keep it simple, for DS2 I blew up a paddling pool, filled it with balls and smallish balloons and he had a whale of a time! Your DS is so young he won't notice if every thing is themed or not - as for your SIL, her daughter will not enjoy her party any more because it cost more!

Tbh, I would just ensure that I take loads and loads of pictures and maybe even get people to write little notes, that you can put all together in a album for when DS is older.

I love the notes and the ball/pool ideas! That was exactly the sort of thing I was looking for - thank you!

I was going to say ball pool! That's what we did for my dd1. She also had her first ever taste of icecream at her first birthday party. DD2 had her first ever taste of chocolate at hers.

Helium balloons go down well too.

this is a nice thing to keep

But pricey

Have you got an old plain babygrow, preferably a blue or pink or white one? Get a permanent marker pen, or different colours, and ask the family to write their birthday messages all over the babygrow ( a bit like they do when kids leave school and write on their shirts!)A great 1st birthday keepsake.

And much cheaper than my idea

I forgot to add that thin markers are better. Also handy to have a piece of cardboard ready to put between the layers of material so that the writing doesn't seep through the cotton. If you really want to go for it get fabric pens which are beautifully glittery and you can get them in different finishes too. Ofcourse you can use any item of clothing like a t-shirt, but doesnt first birthday mark end of babyhood, hence babygrow? If you write just on one side of the garment , you can frame it later.

What a cool idea! Thanks - it was creative little ideas like that I really wanted but was totally stuck.

Get photos, 1 per month of life and get everyone to guess the order

Get a cheap disposable camera and make sure everyone gets a photo with DD. Put everything in a special photo album as a keepsake. Much better and more memorable than a cardboard and plastic themed extravaganza