Ideas for a Baby Girl's 1st Birthday

A baby's first birthday is a joyful occasion and one that needs to be documented and preserved for the baby's growth years.birthday image by Photoeyes from Fotolia.com

A baby's first birthday is the celebration of the baby's first year of life and also of the joy of the parents and loved ones. In most respects, the party is for the parents and loved ones since the baby will not have any memory of the event. It is important that the birthday celebration is well-documented and that presents given include some that will hold special meaning for the baby in years to come.

Gathering of Loved Ones

A gathering of loved ones to celebrate the first year of life for the baby birthday girl serves many purposes. It's an opportunity for the guests to enjoy one another's company with a nice dinner, cocktails and appetizers or simply cake and ice cream. One member of the family or a close friend is designated to be the videographer whose primary purpose is to capture video and verbal birthday wishes for the baby birthday girl from each of the guests. In later years, as the child grows and the loved ones pass away, recognition and memories will be invaluable to the baby girl. The gifts for the baby include the usual toys, playthings and clothing. It is also an excellent opportunity for parents, grandparents, godparents and other loved ones to give the baby girl meaningful gifts such as family rings or necklaces or other items that will hold special meaning for the baby for the rest of her life.

Parents, grandparents, godparents and other loved ones gather at a backyard cookout where everyone contributes their favorite dishes and shares in the preparation and clean-up. The entire birthday is carefully videographed complete with statements and birthday wishes from each of the guests. Each guest brings the baby birthday girl a special gift that will be meaningful or valuable to the baby when she reaches the age of 18. Items of family jewelry, mementos or gold coins the giver wants the baby birthday girl to have when she reaches the age of 18. A number of the guests will likely pass away before the child's 18th birthday and this is an opportunity for the now-grown child to remember them and share in their joy at her first birthday party. Place all of the items in a stainless steel time capsule, available from online stores, and bury it in the back yard after all of the guests have departed. No one will be able to tell the growing child where the capsule is located. Invite the same guests back for the 18th Birthday party and open the time capsule.

Invite loved ones and close friends to a celebration of the baby girls first year of life. Post the baby's needs on gift registries. Ask the guests to give presents of clothing, bedding, decor and other items for the baby birthday girl that will dress-up her and satisfy her needs through the next year. Decorate the party rooms with frilly, feminine décor such as lots of pink ribbons and bows and pink balloons filled with helium so that they float against the ceiling, well out of reach of the children. Provide sugar cookies, frosted pink cupcakes, strawberry or cherry ice cream and pink candy confections. Ask everyone to take lots of pictures.