Strawberries, blueberries and blackberries — oh my! Make your baby’s first birthday the sweetest celebration of all by leaning into a summery, berry-themed party that honors your1-year-old's milestone day.
It's the perfect first birthday party idea for summer, says Carissa Kruse, a pro party planner who's hosted more than a hundred events. "A Berry First Birthday theme not only celebrates the sweet and playful nature of a child's first year, but the vibrant colors and delicious flavors associated with berries add a whimsical touch to the party, making it a hit with both kids and adults alike."
Kruse suggests leaning into this theme by "incorporating berry elements into every aspect of the party, from invitations accented with strawberries to berry-inspired food, games and activities."
As you start planning, there's one very important thing to remember. No matter how big you go with your Berry First Birthday theme, don’t lose sight of what this day is all about, says Adaobi Kanu, a party planner and owner of Events In A Crunch. "Let's be honest: First birthday parties are for the parents, more than the child," she says. "It's a way to celebrate finally getting a decent night’s sleep and making it to this stage."
There's no need to go overboard with party planning and decor to the point of stressing yourself out. After all, "This is just a chance to celebrate and finally hang out with all the family members and friends you haven't seen in a year," Kanu says.
This list of Berry First Birthday party ideas is ripe for the picking, so read on for inspiration and professional advice onhow to plan a first birthday party for your babe.
Berry First Birthday invitations
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Establish your theme with some berry-inspired invitations. They could feature a basket of strawberries or a strawberry-topped cupcake.
Find customizable designs that are perfect for a Berry First Birthday on Etsy, or design one yourself using Canva or BeFunky.
Berry First Birthday decorations
Berry-inspired color scheme
To bring your Berry First Birthday party theme to life, "Use lots of vibrant colors like red, blue and purple to create a fun and playful atmosphere," Kruse says. Incorporate picnic vibes with red gingham tablecloths to further fuel the theme and add some pattern to your party’s aesthetic.
Hanging paper berries
To take your theme to the next level, "Use berry-themed decorations, like hanging paper lanterns in the shape of strawberries," says Kruse. It’s a quick and easy way to elevate your Berry First Birthday party decor and make a major visual impact.
Berry patch photo op
"One creative idea is to make your own berry patch using green tissue paper and red balloon 'berries,'" suggests Kruse. Throw in a few "farmer props — think hats, bandanas, baskets," adds Kanu, and encourage guests to take cute photos of themselves with the Berry First Birthday guest of honor.
Fresh berry table decorations
For totally on-theme decor, "Set out produce baskets filled with actual berries," suggests Kanu. "They'll double as snacking options or can be used as fruit garnishes for mixed drinks, making them a no-waste decor accent." To save money, fill your container two-thirds of the way with foam or cardboard, and sit a plate piled full of fresh strawberries, blueberries or blackberries on top of that.
DIY berry balloon cupcake toppers
Give birthdaycupcakes an extra special touch by adorning them with strawberry balloon toppers. Cut a ring of "leaves" out of green construction paper, and punch a hole in the center. Blow up a small pink balloon, and carefully slip the balloon's untied end through the hole in the "leaves" before tying it off. Draw on seeds with a permanent marker before hot-gluing each balloon to a lollipop stick. (Get thefull how-to here.)
Berry First Birthday food
Berry First Birthday smash cake
When it comes tofirst birthday smash cakes, rather than topping yours with real berries, decorate it with strawberry lollipop candies like this blogger did. It'll make things a little less messy … even if only slightly!
Just cut off the sticks, and press the gummies into your icing. Pink strawberry cake on the inside and white buttercream frosting on the outside is the perfect combination, since red or pink icing is more likely to stain clothes.
Picnic lunch
Take inspiration from your theme, and serve up a simple picnic-style lunch for guests in brown paper boxes or woven baskets. It'll give your event a laid-back feel that'll make family and friends feel more comfortable.
Berry-inspired bites
From mini strawberry shortcake bites to strawberry caprese skewers, there's no end to the berry-infused nibbles you can whip up. Of course, a platter of chocolate-covered strawberries is a must for any Berry First Birthday party!
Berry-infused beverages
When it comes to your Berry First Birthday menu, choose drinks that are on theme. "For the alcohol drinkers, serve berry margaritas," Kanu advises. For those abstaining, offer up a batch of berry agua fresca or some berry smash mocktails.
Berry First Birthday games
"Berry picking" scavenger hunt
"Plan a 'berry picking' birthday party game, where children have to find hidden [paper] berries around the party venue and collect them in a basket," suggests Kruse. All you need is some red construction paper, scissors and a black marker to draw on a few seeds.
Pin the berry on the cupcake
Give this classic birthday party game a berry sweet spin: "Play a 'Pin the Berry on the Cupcake' game, where kids are blindfolded and have to pin a small berry cutout onto a larger cupcake poster," recommends Kruse.
Birthday time capsule
For an ultra sweetfirst birthday party activity, invite guests to write well wishes for your baby to read on a later birthday. It's a sentimental way to get guests more involved in the celebration.
Berry First Birthday favors
Berry baskets
"I recommend giving out small baskets filled with fresh berries as party favors," Kruse says. Another option: "Create a 'berry picking' station, where kids can pick their own berries to take home as favors."
Berry treats
Thank guests for attending (and for thefirst birthday gifts) by sending them home with a special treat. "I'm a big fan of food favors for a Berry First Birthday," says Kanu, who suggests sending party-goers home with mini berry pies or berry-shaped cookies. Talk about leaving a good taste in their mouths!
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As an expert and enthusiast, I can provide information on various topics, including planning a first birthday party with a berry theme. While I have personal experiences or emotions, I can provide you with expert advice and suggestions based on the information available.
Berry First Birthday Party Ideas
A Berry First Birthday party with a summery, berry-themed celebration can be a sweet and playful way to honor your child's milestone day. Here are some ideas to help you plan a Berry First Birthday party:
Berry First Birthday Invitations
Establish your theme by sending out berry-inspired invitations. You can find customizable designs on platforms like Etsy or create your own using design tools like Canva or BeFunky.
Berry First Birthday Decorations
To bring your Berry First Birthday party theme to life, use vibrant colors like red, blue, and purple to create a fun and playful atmosphere. Incorporate picnic vibes with red gingham tablecloths to further enhance the theme. Consider using berry-themed decorations, such as hanging paper lanterns in the shape of strawberries, to make a visual impact. You can also create a DIY berry patch using green tissue paper and red balloon "berries" for a creative photo opportunity.
Berry First Birthday Food
When it comes to the food for your Berry First Birthday party, you can incorporate berries into various dishes. Consider serving a berry-inspired smash cake decorated with strawberry lollipop candies. For the main meal, you can serve a picnic-style lunch in brown paper boxes or woven baskets to create a laid-back atmosphere. Additionally, you can offer a variety of berry-infused bites, such as mini strawberry shortcake bites, strawberry caprese skewers, and chocolate-covered strawberries. For beverages, consider serving berry margaritas for the adults and berry agua fresca or berry smash mocktails for non-alcoholic options.
Berry First Birthday Games and Activities
To keep the little ones entertained, you can organize berry-themed games and activities. One idea is to plan a "berry picking" scavenger hunt where children have to find hidden paper berries around the party venue and collect them in a basket. Another fun game is "Pin the Berry on the Cupcake," where blindfolded kids try to pin a small berry cutout onto a larger cupcake poster. You can also create a birthday time capsule activity where guests write well wishes for your baby to read on a later birthday.
Berry First Birthday Favors
For party favors, you can give out small baskets filled with fresh berries or create a "berry picking" station where kids can pick their own berries to take home. Another option is to send guests home with berry treats like mini berry pies or berry-shaped cookies as a thank you for attending the party.
Remember, the most important thing is to enjoy the celebration and spend time with your loved ones. Don't stress yourself out with excessive planning and decorations. The first birthday party is a special milestone for both the child and the parents, so make sure to savor the moment and create lasting memories.
I hope these ideas help you plan a memorable Berry First Birthday party for your little one! Let me know if there's anything else I can assist you with.