Cute Themes for Your Child’s First Birthday

In another life with more time, I think I could have been an event planner. I love a good party with a fun theme. With the recent updates to my events page, what better time than now to share some of my favorite ideas with you! The best part? These themes can also be adapted to your child’s cake smash session.

Berry First Birthday

This theme has increased in popularity in recent years. It’s simple, adorable, and has an organic aesthetic.

I’m seeing a naked berry cake for the birthday kid. For food, I’d love blackberry brie bites, cheesecake deviled strawberries, a spinach berry salad, and a fruit and cheese board. Strawberry lemonade is a great drink choice for kids, but I would swing for a blackberry lemon mocktail for the adults.

Decorations can be simple- a strawberry birthday banner, balloons and streamers (in red, blue, and purple), and a classic red and white checkered tablecloth.

Variations of this theme include Apple of My Eye, One in a Melon, Little Cutie (citrus theme), and Beary First Birthday (teddy bear theme).

Fairy First Birthday

This might honestly be my favorite idea yet. I’m embracing this as a whimsical woodland theme for your little sprite.

For decor, fairy lights, tea candles, and flowers are a must! Green cheesecloth table runners and wood slab serving boards make for cute table designs. There is a lot of room to play with forest details- mushrooms, butterflies, cute woodland creatures, and so on. Painting a fairy house would be an adorable activity if you have older kids attending your party. Little fairy wings and natural wands are great gifts for little guests.

For food, I’m thinking stuffed mushrooms, finger sandwiches (shaped with a butterfly cookie cutter), veggies with a green goddess whipped feta dip, and apple fritter bites.

Time Flies

There are a few ways you can interpret this theme, but I have a soft spot for hot air balloons. I would add more layers by incorporating celestial elements: stars, sun, moon- maybe even planets and clouds.

I love the idea of using sun catchers to throw natural sparkle around. Paper lanterns are so cute and I would give my left arm to photograph a Rapunzel recreation of lighting off a floating lantern to celebrate a baby’s first year.

Food should be light, airy, and easy! Cotton candy is a must. Cucumber crostinis and spinach puffs are on theme for their lightness.

Once Upon a Time

This theme can be as specific or general as you want. You can curate the party based on one book or several fairytales.

While you can do a glamorous spin on this theme, I prefer quaint, handmade details with a nostalgic vibe. Decorations might include vintage storybook covers printed and framed, a classic fabric birthday banner with alternating origami dragons, and a cardboard castle centerpiece. Felt crowns would be the cutest party favor.

For a more general food list, I would opt for things inspired by fantasy or medieval times: smoked chicken legs (especially easy if someone in your family is adept with the grill!), cheesy potato puffs, pretzel bread knots, and parmesan carrot sticks make for heartier party foods.

ONE Obsession

Add a wacky touch by throwing a party centered around your baby’s current obsession. When you look back on your photos, you will easily remember their favorite thing during this time of their lives. It makes for a super unique theme that will make everyone smile.

You’ll have to play around with ideas specific to your little one, but a common obsession is the T.V. remote.

I would lean HARD into the obsession to pull off this theme: T.V. remote cake, DIY T.V. remote party banner, a life-size remote made from cardboard boxes- you get the idea.