Nothing can compare how happy and grateful I was when I finally gave birth of the little and precious angel I patiently conceived for nine months… and here she is now, our beautiful and gorgeous little princess turns 1! My husband and I were planning to throw a birthday party for her and all I need to do is plan out carefully to make her day memorable.
my little princess on her birthday visiting Poor Clare Monastery
Her “Princess Belle at the Bridge” birthday cake by Goldilocks
the kiddie party with the host clown

Here are some 5 essential tips I learned and gathered from friends and from my readings that I want to share with you all.

1. Plan it ahead. Planning is already proven essential before starting every project and I consider my 1st baby’s 1st birthday party a big project. Let all ideas pour out and laid it out in your notepad, don’t mind the writing, just write and write and organize it later. Discuss it with your partner and start gathering ideas. I started thinking and planning 3 months in advance.
2. Create a Checklist. A checklist is very helpful so that nothing is left out during the preparation. Make sure to mark it checked every time you are done with the item/task and always review at the end of the day what are the things needed to be done yet.
3. Be your own Boss. Since you are the one who plan it and creating a checklist, it is also fun and rewarding to do all the shopping, decorating, sending invitations and packing all the party bags and prizes, making souvenirs and balloons. It is tiring but so rewarding when it get to the point that your little girl or boy will be asking you who is doing all the dirty works when he/she turns 1. You can also play around with your budget if most of the work is with a personal touch.
4. Party at home. It is advisable and practical to host the 1st birthday party at your own house so that your baby feels comfortable and can easily be brought to his/her room when tired.
5. Hire a host or clown. Doing all the planning and preparing all the party items according to your own preferences and creativity is already enough to be a big part of the first important occasion of your little kid’s 1st birthday party. So the last item in your checklist is to make sure you hire all the help during the event, like a clown to host the party for the kids, instruct your household helpers to cater all the guests and will take charge of the orderliness in the party area. So, all you have to do is relax and entertain your guests.

My little girl is a gem in my eye and I always love to see her little gorgeous and smiling face.