Sigh. First B-day Party Themes?

Sonadora

We weren't having a party.

Now, somehow, we are. And my mom invited the whole neighborhood and my parents and bro are coming down from CT.

Our house will still be all Christmas decorated since her b-day is 3 days later.

I am feeling uninspired on a theme.

Since we are having a party I now feel obligated/need to get a cake, plates, napkins, etc. and I should probably at least put some effort into getting something that says happy birthday on it.

Thanks mom!

rabstbmom

I'd say ignore the Christmas decor and go with something "classic" like Mickey Mouse or Sesame Street. Seriously, though, can you believe we're now turning our attentions to first birthday themes already? Where has the year gone?!

OregonPachey

Jack's 1st bday was Sesame Street themed.  However, I want to point out that I am not huge into giant themed parties.  He had Sesame plates and napkins, a cake that was from the bakery decorated in SS and then a banner and balloons tied to his highchair.  We didn't do favors or extravagant decorations.

ihearteddieboo

As someone who just threw a 1st b'day party, a bit of advice -- don't pick out a theme that has been discontinued!  I searched high and low (and paid a fortune) for discontinued Baby Sesame Street party supplies.  Remember the used table cloth? 

We were just going to do a small party on Thanksgiving but it got blown out of proportion just like yours.  Thanks MIL!

Google 1st b'day ideas, I'm sure you can find something cute.  Apparently owls are big these days.   

Amanda78

Oh mom! Honestly, I don't get the importance of themes.  S's invitations had a black puppy, because she loves our dog so much, and balloons because she loves them. Her b-day shirt had one too. That was as thematic as I got. Balloons in hot pink and yellow and a dog. So cups, plates, etc were easy and cheap.

I think we had 2 happy birthday banners b/c my SIL brought them. She doesn't know or care. As long as her cake doesn't say Merry Christmas B I think you're good.

Sonadora

Definitely not going over the top!

I'm seriously talking about a cake, plates, napkins, hats, and perhaps a happy birthday sign in some sort of coherent theme.

Because otherwise I will be pulling plain old paper plates and paper napkins out of my pantry that morning. Which I sort of think would suck of me now that I've been roped into throwing a party at all.

theprincessPAT

Yeah, I finally got around to ordering invitations this past weekend and hopefully I'll be able to send them out in the next week or so.

We're sticking to the winter theme so it will go with our Christmas stuff.  I'm thinking I'd like to do something with penguins.

Jacquiemark

No one says that you have to do a theme. You can try and stick with christmas colors if it makes it easier on you.

BobbiJanay07

Ian's was red, white and blue. With smurf accents.

Sonadora

Of course, I ordered her a cute first birthday personalized shirt ages ago before I knew we were having a party and it's got a frog on it, cause I like frogs.

Somehow, frogs in pink, green, and yellow don't seem like they would mesh well with my Christmas decorations.

ihearteddieboo

Amanda78:

As long as her cake doesn't say Merry Christmas B I think you're good.

This just made me snort at my desk.  Loudly.

Strunella

Well, you're one step ahead of me, if that's any consolation!  I STILL can't decide if we should have a party.  And if we do, is it just family?  Is it some friends?  Which friends?  And then I have no idea for a theme either.  Dinosaurs?  Elephants?   I feel like I'm already sucking at this birthday thing.

sarahandeddiejune212008

We did "Look  Whoo's Turning One".  I got most of the stuff from 1st wishes.  I chose the owl theme because it is my sorority's mascot and it is super cute.  I got some other really cute things on etsy for the party too.

Amanda78

Sonadora:

Of course, I ordered her a cute first birthday personalized shirt ages ago before I knew we were having a party and it's got a frog on it, cause I like frogs.

Somehow, frogs in pink, green, and yellow don't seem like they would mesh well with my Christmas decorations.

That sounds adorable! Hmm. You've already decorated right?  Really-people will expect your decorations to be up still and will enjoy them.  Who cares if the plates clash? Its one day!

Sonadora

Amanda78:

Sonadora:

Of course, I ordered her a cute first birthday personalized shirt ages ago before I knew we were having a party and it's got a frog on it, cause I like frogs.

Somehow, frogs in pink, green, and yellow don't seem like they would mesh well with my Christmas decorations.

That sounds adorable! Hmm. You've already decorated right?  Really-people will expect your decorations to be up still and will enjoy them.  Who cares if the plates clash? Its one day!

Yep. Decorations are all up!

I'm not seeing anything froggy that I like. Hmm.

Amanda78

I think iselilly makes cupcake toppers and that kind of thing.  Or Natosha does banners, I bet she could maybe work with you.

hopingwaiting

We had no theme.

islelily

We did an animal theme... plates and table cloth came from Party City. Took the colors from the plates and got plastic silverware and napkins of the same color. Got a pack of balloons from Party City and had them blow them up (which is cheaper than buying the balloons at the balloon section individually).

DS had plastic toy animals, which I used as table decor.

We did 2 types of chili and then finger food (veggie tray, fruit and dip, cheese salsa, bacon-wrapped chicken), lemonade and tea, water.

Oh, we also did cupcakes... or I'd just go to the store bakery and get a sheet cake and cupcake for LO. 

islelily

I do make cupcake toppers and die-cut banners (thanks for the shout out, Amanda!)

If you want to stick with Christmas colors, that would be super easy.  You could do a ladybug theme if you want red and white.....or a circus theme....

but as everyone else said, you don't need to go over the top. Plates, napkins, plasticware, and a sign? Done. 

vflipo

Snowflakes?

xleslieraex

Try the dollar store, they have some cute first birthday stuff. Or you could do a green/ frog theme. I mean your Christmas tree is green and all...

KCKSarah

vflipo:

Snowflakes?

Pretty! I like this.  You can make snowflake decorations at home easily.

Gem17

We did Minnie Mouse (basically the characters from Mickey's Clubhouse).  Our friends did "A Winter One-derland" and had polar bears, penguins, ice, etc as decor on the invites and such.