6 Simple First Birthday Ideas that are Affordable and Easy
Is it just me or are children’s birthday parties turning into these grand productions? If you don’t have a balloon arch, did you even have a party? I love attending an extravagant birthday celebration, but for my own family, I prefer something simpler.
The good news? You can throw a first birthday party for your child that is just as special. It can be fun without needing a line of credit. Planning a first birthday can seem overwhelming for new parents. It’s a big milestone and you want to get the day right. But, with a little creativity and simplicity, you can create a joyful and memorable occasion!
In this post, I will show you 6 simple first birthday ideas that are affordable and easy- so don’t stress!
1. DIY Decorations
One easy way to add some personalized touches to a party is to DIY decorations. For my son’s first birthday, I used simple and affordable supplies to make everything from bunting signs to birthday hats. I picked up a few basic supplies. These included a colorful paper pad, bunting string, iron on letters, pompoms, ribbons, and balloons. These supplies were all I needed to decorate the whole house. I used a glue gun, double-sided tape, and a printer.
For the bunting, I cut out triangles from the paper pad. Glued on letters to spell out “Happy Birthday” and “One”. This was such an easy and simple way to make birthday signs. They turned out so cute and unique- unlike any birthday bunting I’ve seen online. I added a bunting string to hang the signs from the fireplace and dessert table.
I’ve sewn bunting in the past, but this DIY paper bunting was SO easy! It added charm and character to the party- it was also super affordable, too.
Tip: you can add pompoms, glitter, or paint to make the bunting really pop!
Bunting Supplies
2. Make Your Own Smash Cake
There is a super fun way to add something special to your baby’s first birthday. Make them a smash cake by hand. Creating something homemade can be a delightful touch. There are many different options for recipes to fit your baby’s dietary needs. For my son’s birthday, I came up with a gluten-free, dairy-free, and sugar-free choice. Overall the cake turned out well, slightly crumbly, but tasted great. I decorated the cake with his favorite berries and he absolutely loved it!
3. How to Keep the Guest List Cozy and Stress-Free
For a first birthday it can feel like you need to invite everyone that has ever met the baby. But for sake of simplicity, limiting the guest list can really help. Our house is on the smaller side, so we opted for immediate family only.
A good rule of thumb is to think “when was the last time I saw them?” A small guest list keeps it stress-free. It also allows for more meaningful moments for the baby and close family and friends.
4. Skip the Theme and Keep It Simple
Parties don’t always need to have a theme. Simple first birthday ideas are easier without a theme. Starting with a color palette can be a great way to create a cozy and fun birthday environment. I went with red, blue, green, and yellow for my son’s first birthday. I also used a bunch of things we already have.
A trendy and adorable kids birthday idea is to add party hats to their stuffed animals. I made easy party hats with the color pad I bought for the bunting. Added a pompom voila- the guests loved them!
One of my top budget-friendly hosting tips is to use sheets as tablecloths. I never use the top sheet for our beds, so I thought why not repurpose them? I always store them away to put them on our tables. This is an inexpensive and effortless way to decorate a table top.
Parties don’t need to be complicated and expensive. Get creative, use what you have around your home and skip the theme!
5. Affordable Party Favors
Handmade is so much more personalized than buying something from the dollar store. For my son’s birthday, I opted to teach myself the skill of sugar cookie decorating with royal icing. Did they look amazing, maybe not, but they turned out decent! I wrapped them in little cellophane bags with ribbons. A simple and easy party favor idea!
Simple First Birthday Ideas: Party Favors
- Homemade playdough
- Slime
- Remolded crayons in silicone mould
- Activity books
I followed the recipe for sugar cookies and royal icing from Preppy Kitchen.
6. Don’t Make Everything
The perfect mix of store bought and homemade will do wonders for keeping it a simple first birthday. You do not need to make everything by hand! I chose to make all the desserts, but bought all the sandwiches, charcuterie, fruit platter, cheese plate, and veggie tray.
The best part of desserts is that you can make them a day or two in advance. I made sugar cookies with royal icing and homemade healthy Twix bars, which I love. I have made this recipe for years. Additionally, I made cupcakes with buttercream frosting. Of course, I also baked the smash cake for my baby.
Simple first birthday ideas that are affordable and easy make for a great birthday. Remember use what you already own, get a little creative, don’t cook/bake everything, and enjoy the party!
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