Often when planning a baby’s first birthday party, families want to know what an appropriate timeline is for the party.  Special circumstances around the first birthday party often make it trickier to plan this party than other children’s parties when they are older.  As an example, you may need to change your child’s outfit during the party. How do you do this and still be a good host?  One thing is for sure, anything goes at a little one’s party.

Here are some guidelines for a party timeline that makes sense:

• Schedule your party at a time is most convenient for you and your child’s schedule. If the child is turning one, it is best to plan it around her nap time and to make it a reasonable amount of time, anywhere from 45 minutes to 1 hour and 15 minutes is appropriate.
• At the party, if you are going to change the little one’s outfit, do this while the guests are busy in an activity or finishing their meal and/or cake. This way everyone is busy and won’t even notice you are gone.
• When you are away from your hosting duties, make sure that someone else has an eye on things so that the party continues to flow in your absence.
• Due to the schedule, you may end up doing presents first, cake second, and then party activities.  If that seems backwards to you, never fear!  Other one year olds won’t know the difference, the other parents will completely get it, and the older kids will enjoy the change of party pace.

The party timeline for a little one year old can be difficult, as the birthday child requires so much attention during the party by her parents. Just take this into account and plan the party around this fact. Everyone will have fun, including you!

By Lisa Kothari, Peppers and Pollywogs