• I found this on another website, and remembered seeing this thread, so am copy and pasting and editing slightly....

A baby's first birthday is always something special. It is also potentially costly: the Future Foundation, an independent think-tank, has discovered that an average one-year-old will have up to $200 spent on a party, and up to $90 on a present! But don't feel pressured into going over the top. Your baby won't appreciate such extravagance and small is definitely beautiful at this age!

Understanding your one-year-old
Your one-year-old may be fearful of strangers, and strange or new places. Despite liking other babies, she won't understand how to play with them yet. She will enjoy individual attention and likes to make you laugh. All of which adds up to an intimate, low-budget family party!
Who to invite

document.write(''); At the closely-attached-to-Mum stage, the best way you can make this a special day for your one-year-old is by offering her loads of undiluted attention. Her social network will be small and intimate and that's how she likes it. She won't thank you for a house full of strangers, so stick to close friends and relatives.

This is a party that grandparents will not want to miss, cameras at the ready, either. You may want to invite some friends from your old antenatal or postnatal classes, too. Why not buy or make some really special invitations - you won't need many for a small gathering.

Getting the timing right
By one, your baby may be in a daytime nap routine. The worst time for the excitement of a party is when your baby is tired, so afternoon tea, after nap time, works well. If you are inviting other baby guests, check out their nap times with their parents. Once one starts wailing, they all will! Keep the party brief - an hour or so is quite long enough at this age.

Games and activities
Loud bangs from party poppers and bursting balloons may frighten your baby, and discarded poppers and balloons are a serious choking hazard at this age, so leave them till next year. Why not have some musical fun, such as dancing with your baby, or a nursery rhyme tape on in the background. She'll appreciate a few simple games, such as Row the Boat or Round and Round the Garden with plenty of tickles, too. She'll also enjoy peek-a-boo games, finding toys hidden in a box or under a cloth and, of course, she'll enjoy helping you to open her presents (although the wrapping paper will be far more fun than the gift!). Party suppliers can also help you with suggestions and ideas. Many sell themed party packs and more.

Choosing a venue
Home is the place where your baby will feel most secure. She'll appreciate a few colourful decorations or, if you want something more adventurous, you could buy a baby ball pool.

What food to serve
Keep food simple - most of it will probably end up on the floor in any case!

Finger foods will be excellent for both babies and adults, as eating them won't interrupt play or interaction. Parents may well have brought a bottle or feeder cup with them containing the drink of their choice for their baby, but have water, milk and diluted fruit juices at the ready. If you're providing food for grown ups keep it simple and avoid peanuts and other foods which may present a choking hazard to little ones.

Some babies will have quite a few teeth and be able to bite into food; others may still be toothless, so cater for both extremes: organic bread sticks, tiny sandwiches with cheese spread, cut into shapes, cubes of mild cheese, and mini fromage frais cartons. Chocolate fingers are scrummy, but messy - plain biscuits may suffice. Jelly tends to be more of a play material at this age and is very messy. Your mini guests will probably eat very little food, so aim for a variety of taste, texture and colour rather than quantity.

Aim for a wonderful cake - a home made one is special, but supermarkets have a great variety available, or try a bakery. You may need to order this in advance. Don't let your baby near the candle as she will want to grab, not blow, it.

Choosing a theme
Party themes aren't important to a one-year-old. You might want to aim for a colour-coordinated look, but it's more for the benefit of the keepsake photos than your baby at this stage.

The party bags
Party bags are really superfluous at this age, and the usual goodies like sweets and balloons are downright dangerous. If you really want to give a going away present to your little guests, opt for a small, safe soft toy each or a board book to chew on.

Choosing presents
By now, your baby will appreciate something which makes a noise or lights up, or both, so activity centres are a good choice. It's never too early to read, and textured board books are great fun for your tactile baby. A trolley, or push-along to aid walking skills will be popular, and new bath toys are always welcome. You may want to consider a big, lasting present, such as a baby swing for outdoors or a rocking horse. If you already have loads of toys, she won't object if some people buy her clothes! Check out our other present ideas.

Top tips for a successful party
• Have somewhere clean, handy and well-equipped for nappy changing

• Breastfeeding mums may appreciate somewhere quiet and private to feed

• It's crawling, walking and climbing time - stair gates and fireguards are essential

• Stow away precious ornaments and breakables

• Keep pets well out of the way (for their own protection!)

• Keep a very watchful eye on the party area for hazards, such as forks or small swallowable objects, and clear them quickly away

• Babies will play alongside each other, not together, so keep a variety of toys available within a large, safe floor space

• Relax - let your baby and her guests set the pace

• Make sure you have a willing volunteer to take plenty of photos or unobtrusively wield a camcorder - you'll be too busy!

i agree that the child does not understand the party, but it was a great opportunity to get my family and friends together...most of whom we didnt get to see as much as we would have liked during the 1st year my daughter was alive.

My son will be one in 2.5 months. I think what we will do is have a little "open house" party where people can drop in if they want but it doesn't matter if they don't. Our son is well loved, and I know he won't know what is going on, but he will love the attention!

It's true it didn't make much difference them at the time, but our girls love looking at the photos and hearing stories of their first birthdays. This is a really big deal to them now that they are older, expecially since some of their relatives have passed away. Even if the day may seem to be just for the grownups, the memories from the day can defintely be valuable for the kids. Even if you decide not to do much, make some great memories and DOCUMENT them. They LOVE to hear what a fuss you made over them when they were younger.

We've been keeping birthdays (and Christmas) pretty low-key (as far as presents go), since once the bar is set high, you can't go back. Plus with two, we don't want to throw a huge shindig for one and not the other.

Every day is like a birthday at that age!

great article..I agree, I think it's more for the parents and celebrating family and maybe a little extra cuddle and well wishes from family. Other than that it's pretty much the same day as before. Aged two or three seems to be when it gets really exciting and fun for them. Although, when I sing the happy birthday song for fun, my son's face does light up, but that's about it :)

My little one is very nearly two, and time has just flown by! For her first birthday, we had a get together with all the other babies from our pre-natal class, and their parents, and their friends... Leala was awake, but a little bemused by all the fuss and hordes of people. Now we are just going to have a few family gatherings. Sadly her Dad has to work, but the we will meet respective families at the weekend. She has more of an idea now, but I think it will be just another day for her, only with presents!