Planning a Magical First Birthday

Well, it's been quite a year! We've had so much fun celebrating Feltman Brothers' 100 year anniversary. And we thank you for following along on this momentous journey.

The past 12 months have had us thinking about that major milestone you'll share with your baby soon: his or her first birthday! Whether you go big or keep the party intimate, a celebration is definitely in order. Below, we have a few tips to help you fê­­­­­te the birthday baby in style:

Begin at the beginning

Answer the questions who, what, when and where first. Once you have those decisions made, it'll make planning the rest of the party much easier. For instance, if you know you're only inviting immediate family for an afternoon celebration at your home, your planning will be very different from an event held at the local children's activity space to which you're inviting extended family and all of the parents and babies from your mommy group.

Plan ahead

To avoid getting stressed out, give yourself plenty of time. Start at least 6 weeks in advance by making a list of everything you'll need to do, your supplies and your budget. Get big things like guest lists and invitations, event location and cake out of the way first.

Select a theme

Determine the look and vibe you're going for first. Will it be a Disney-themed extravaganza or a nursery rhyme-related bash? Maybe take your child's favorite animal or toy and build around that. Whatever you choose, your invitations, cake, decorations and goody bags should coordinate for a cohesive look.

Hit Pinterest

The photo sharing site is a wealth of inspiration, but don't get too carried away! Remember, your party doesn't need to be perfect; it just needs to be perfectly suited to your little family. Grab a few ideas for decor, refreshments and games, and let that be it. Create a board specifically for your little one's party so you can keep all of your ideas in one place. (Tip: make the board secret so only you can see it.)

Enlist help

Have a photography buff in the family? Recruit them to be the official party photographer. That way you can actually be in the shots with your little one instead of stuck behind the camera. Have a quick strategy session before the festivities. Begin by making sure you get all the major shots you want: cutting the cake, gift opening, photos with the grands, etc.

Consider the siblings

If you have older children, consider allowing them to invite one friend each. While parties are fun, remember, it might be tough for your children to see one sibling getting all of the attention. But with a friend to distract them, they'll be less likely to pout. The older kiddos could actually be great assistants, helping with things like doling out cake or collecting guests' coats as they arrive.

Look the part

It's your baby's big day, make sure they're photo ready. One of the most fun decisions you're likely to make will be what to dress baby in for the day. Here's where we can help! We have so many special looks that will put him or her firmly in the center of attention. One favorite for boys is our Diamond-smocked Bobby suit; another is our Car sweater set, which is perfect for winter birthdays. For girls, our delightful Rose Garden dress features a spray of floral embroidery over smocking and a full skirt. Plus, our Bishop Dress with Rosettes is portrait ready with a generous ring of smocking on the yolk accented with delicate rosebuds. And because you'll want to spare your heirloom garment from the fun but messy cake smash tradition, a Feltman Brothers' birthday bib is a must!

In conclusion, all Feltman Brothers outfits make a perfect Birthday outfit! Shop now >