Look who's turning ONE!!

My daughter turned 1 last year and it was one of the most anticipated moments in my life as it was for her too. To mark our success as a parent to raise our own princess,blossoming into one of the cutest toddler! ;p

I started to plan for her 1st birthday when she was just 6 months old. You should see the sketches and ideas that i jotted down in my doodle pad and the files that i saved in my laptop! LOL..i was really excited. But......my husband toned me down as to remind me that our daughter is still only one year old! She won't remember or appreciate the party that mama had planned for her!!



So here are some tips and ideas that i have collected and brainstormed during my "doodle hours"


1.KEEP IT SIMPLE
if you want to keep it simple and easy, just do a small scale party within your immediate family members...bear in mind there will always be "last-minute" purchases therefore do allocate your budget accordingly!!

2. VENUE
decide on the venue either you want to host your party at home or outside (i.e.restaurants, park, hall,hotel)

3. THEME
decide on a simple theme, if you can afford it, do arrange for the matching atmosphere/ambiance deco and cake...oh yes matching party favors too.( i am soo kaki tema...so i'll always have thematic parties okaayy!) :) theme can be in sense of colours and your child's favourite cartoon.

4. INVITATIONS
With modern technology and gadgets nowadays, you can always blast the invitation via email/sms or photocard via MMS!! I personally prefer a traditional invitation card! That way you can express your baby's party as creative as you can be, or just purchase those invitation cards that match the theme.

5.PARTY FAVORS
If you are hosting your child's 1st party in a small scale, then take this opportunity to spoil the guests with lavish party favors!

This is not a must, but i do take this opportunity to treat them with personalised party favors. You can buy your favourite stuff and label each bag with individual tag or gifts with individual name on it. My sister in law did this for her children's party last April 2009. Personalized mug with our own picture and name on it! I was really delighted with the gift hidden in a cute teddy bear paper bag :) Thanks kak Nina!


I'll attache the picture later.:)


6. CAKE
Oh this is one of my favourite part in planning a party, the cake! It must be something catchy,colourful and full of fun! I love 3d cakes and yes of course 2d cake is acceptable too. You can either bake it yourself or order it at any bakeshop in town, or personalize you orders with your own cake design!

Cupcakes also nice and cute for your child's thematic party!
It's a bonus if you can serve both cake and cuppies at the same time! kids love emm!



7. ENTERTAINING YOUR GUESTS
make sure you attend to all of your guests well and do bear in mind that each of your guests are different from each other.
one of my favourite article was on entertaining guest quoted from HELLO! Msia - The Wife of The Ambassador of Spain ANA GARCIA DE BARANANO Opens Up Her Home And Talks About Her Passions And Her Hopes For The Future;

" Presentation is very important, everything has to be the right temperature, flowers, candles...everything counts. When guests arrived you have to take care of them and make introductions, some people are very shy so it's important that you moderate the conversations and that you are always looking out for guests so nobody is feeling lonely...things like that. Being a host is not easy."



8. PHOTOGRAPHER
Yes of course, it would be a waste to host a party but no photos were taken to remember the event!

Your precious child growing up moments captured and treasured by the photos taken on D'Day! For those who can afford to hire a professional photographer do booked them in advance and i'm sure you'll love the pictures once it is ready! I am promoting my best friend Fazz at
http://www.fazzphotoz.blogspot.com
www.thephotolicious.com


For those budgeted birthdayparty, you can always ask your siblings or cousins to take pictures on your child birthday! Remember, it is always useful to appoint the family photographer in advance and do advice them on the shots that you want them to take.

Or...simply buzz us here at A2PPL, and we are willing to come and join your child's party and candid those precious moments with my own personal DSLR Sony Alpha at the rate of RM50 per hour. We will take those photos and burn you the soft copy!! As usual do inform us 2 weeks b4 the day...or if you have photo emergency!! :) wahh semua i can do...multi task planner maa hehehe....

9. THE STAR !!
Please please do not forget the STAR of the day, your child! Once you have decided on the theme

you can now start hunting for the suitable outfit for him/her. Bare in mind, babies are not like adults...duh of course you know that kan?
hehe...from my very own experience she cried and cried..once she woke up from her evening nap...who would thought that she still be crancky after the planned nap?!! well i guessed we have to always be prepared to any possibilities! Planned a few backups! My girl finally settled down but not smiling during the cake cutting ceremony!ayooo...tell me about yoursss! :)

Clothes - something that suit the weather, if it is for a picnic party find something light cotton and breezy.

• Hair - practise earlier how you want her/his hair to be on that day..a few style yeah..
• Shoes - of course something cunss and lovely!
• Party Hat/ Badge/ Bracelet/Necklace - all those extra accessories that you want them to wear, just put everything in one bag and you are ready to partayyy!! (senang nak cari barang if u dah kelam kabut that day...u knowlah with the kids n all...barang kadang2 cannot be found!!)

GOOD LUCK!!