Celebrating your child's milestone birthday needn't break the bank – here's our easy and affordable party planning guide
It's time to celebrate! Your baby's approaching a big milestone – their first birthday. But how to mark the occasion without breaking a sweat – or the budget?
From alternative entertainment to low-cost buffet ideas, here's how to host a first birthday get-together to remember...
Who to invite to your baby's first birthday party
The best and worst thing about hosting kids’ parties pre-primary school years? The grown-ups come too. Yep, all those helping hands for the kiddies are great. But do be prepared for your guest list to double in size.
Alternatively, opt for an intimate gathering with just close family and friends. If you’re worried about offending anyone when reigning in your guest list, try speaking to them individually. Explain you don’t want your baby to feel overwhelmed and that you’d love to celebrate with them one-to-one with a park or cafe trip.
The best gifts for one-year-olds
Have a gift list on standby as people often like to give presents they know your child will really love or need. Wait to be asked and keep prices low. ASDA has a brilliant range of purse-friendly baby toys,clothes and nursery accessories.
Alternatively, you could ask each guest to bring a copy of their own favourite book from their childhood, adding a personal note in the front. Or why not ask them to write a letter or record a short video message for your little one to look back on in years to come?
The best low-cost venues for a first birthday party
A get-together at home tends to work best for a child's first party. They'll be surrounded by their home comforts and favourite toys and you can easily put them down for a nap when they need it – crucial after all that attention and stimulation.
If you need somewhere with a little more space, and the weather is good, head to your local park for a teddy bear’s picnic – no tables and chairs required.
Just ask your guests to bring along a picnic blanket and cuddly toy. ASDA's picnic range comprises all kinds of picky bits that don't require any heating or prep work.
Old wooden pallets – usually available for free at many garden centres – can also make for useful 'table' alternatives and look totally Insta-worthy with a few helium balloons and party decorations attached.
During autumn or winter, check out your local church or village hall instead. These can often be hired out for a relatively low fee.
And for the entertainment? Save the clowns, magicians and life-size Paw Patrol characters for the birthdays your child will remember. A bubble machine – and perhaps a piñata for the grown-ups – make for inexpensive activities that everyone will enjoy.
The day will probably fly by before you’ve even had a chance to have a sip of fizz – let alone take pictures – so scatter a few photo props around, such as novelty hats or glasses, to encourage everyone to get plenty of snaps.
First birthday party theme ideas
Want to theme your little one's bash? Here are some of our favourites:
Rainbows
Dinosaurs
Space
Fairies
Jungle
Woodland
Their favourite story book
Superhero
Under-the-sea
Little monsters
Bubbles and cake (a glass of fizz for the adults and bubble wands for the kids)
Affordable food ideas for a first birthday party
You won't need to fork out on booze but catering for children's parties can still set you back a small fortune if you're not savvy.
For budget-friendly traditional buffet options, check out ASDA's huge selection of chilled and frozen party food from halloumi popcorn bites to nduja pinwheels.
Alternatively, set up a 'create your own' station featuring a pancake,waffle or, during the colder months, jacket potato bar. Just leave out a selection of toppings and let your guests mix and match their own.
Remember to choose your party time wisely. People will expect a more substantial meal if you host during lunch or dinner so consider inviting guests between 10am and 11.30am or 2pm and 4.30pm when snacks will be sufficient.
The best cakes for kids' parties
Custom birthday cakes can really add up but that needn’t mean forgoing the personal touch. ASDA offers brilliant home baking kits, or choose your own decorations to put your stamp on a pre-made sponge. There are also ready-to-go cakes, in a variety of themes, for the ultimate faff-free option. Mini doughnuts or cupcakes are another cute alternative to a traditional birthday bake.
And as for party bags? There's no need to go wild with a hefty load of gifts but sending the littles ones home with a few inexpensive (and age-appropriate) treats is a nice touch, as is a 'thank you' card later on.
Most of all, soak up the day and try to cherish each moment. Your baby is only 'one' once and reaching that 12-month mark – following a year filled with both fatigue and sheer unparalleled joy – really is worth celebrating.
