| Is it possible that it's already been a | | | | cake-cutting mode when baby is relaxed |
| year since your baby arrived? Your knees | | | | and happy - schedule be danged. Great |
| and your back don't lie - your baby is | | | | pictures are your reward for letting |
| almost one year old. And you, naturally, | | | | baby take the lead.4) Gifts after cake, |
| want to throw a big celebration to | | | | if at all.Bright colors and noisy |
| commemorate the day. But first birthday | | | | wrapping are so exciting for your child |
| parties are notorious for producing more | | | | that he or she can come undone. Save the |
| tears than smiles, and no one likes a | | | | gift-opening for after the cake event, |
| crabby birthday boy (or girl). So here | | | | if you have gifts at all. Lots of |
| are five ideas for throwing a tear-less | | | | parents skip the gifts altogether at a |
| first birthday party that everyone will | | | | first birthday party, as they notice how |
| enjoy.1) Think Photo Op.A baby's first | | | | overwhelmed with plastic toys they are, |
| birthday is essentially an extended | | | | even BEFORE the big day.5) Celebrate |
| photo opportunity. The pivotal event is | | | | generations.Like all family |
| the moment when the baby stares at the | | | | celebrations, a first birthday party is |
| becandled cake, just before plunging his | | | | an observation of time passing. Take |
| or her hand into it. The rest of the | | | | special photos of your baby with the |
| party is just filler. So plan a brief | | | | oldest family members and friends in |
| (one hour - tops) celebration with as | | | | attendance, as well as photos with older |
| few distractions as possible.2) Minimize | | | | cousins or friends, and a group shot |
| extra kids.If your baby has cousins | | | | with the whole party in the frame. And |
| close by that he or she already knows | | | | don't forget your animals!You'll notice |
| well, by all means include them. But a | | | | that a successful first birthday party |
| first birthday party is not an occasion | | | | has none of the elements we associate |
| to introduce your baby to bunches of new | | | | with older kids' parties - leave out the |
| people. Grandparents or close friends, | | | | games, prizes, entertainment, pinatas |
| other family members and maybe a | | | | and crafts. Most parents overdo it, |
| neighbor or two - keeping the guest list | | | | thinking that complexity in a child's |
| short will minimize the stress on the | | | | party equals fun. Oftentimes, it's just |
| baby and on you. And where kids are | | | | the opposite - the simpler, the better. |
| concerned, remember that the noise level | | | | And when the baby gets droopy, don't try |
| will affect everyone, so go shorter | | | | to keep her up. After all, it's her |
| rather than longer on the invitation | | | | birthday - if she's sleepy, let her |
| list.3)Visuals are key.Back to the photo | | | | sleep.You can sleep well, too, knowing |
| op - a happy baby, smiling delightedly | | | | that you've celebrated a tear-free |
| at her cake, dressed for posterity, | | | | birthday party and will have lovely |
| surrounded by happy guests and balloons, | | | | memories to cherish. See how easy that |
| is the ideal takeaway from this | | | | was?Liz Ryan is a workplace expert and |
| celebration. So set up the party to go | | | | mother of five children, and the leader |
| the right way by scheduling it when baby | | | | of the online network WorldWIT ( She |
| will be well rested, and jumping into | | | | lives in Boulder, Colorado. |