First Birthday Party Ideas {Themes and Color Schemes}

First Birthday Party Themes and Color Schemes are plentiful! {see over 50 first birthday party themes at the end of the post}

Since one year olds typically don't request themes or color-schemes for their birthday celebrations quite yet, it is an opportunity for you to do the planning for them! I personally wanted to include Noah in the selection of his party theme and colors, and here is how I did it!


It felt a bit overwhelming deciding on a theme and color-scheme for Noah's party. I had so many ideas one some days, and no ideas on others.

I went from wanting a theme incorporating fall colors (since he is a fall baby!) to wanting to avoid them.

Part of me wanted to do a storybook theme based on books he most enjoys me reading to him.

Part of me wanted to do a color-scheme based on his very first toy, that he loved since he could see it.

Each idea was bounced around with my husband Ryan, and he always listened and gave his helpful input.


Eventually, I recognized that I wanted to incorporate and celebrate his age, his "babyhood". I also wanted to incorporate his FAVORITE toy, which for months he has loved and adored...and was just playing with moments ago.


Then, I set eyes on a darling, playful graphic. And it just clicked. There it was! There was the jumping off point for a completely custom design that would end up being the theme for Noah's first birthday party.

In terms of a color-scheme, the colors were tied in to those things mentioned above that I knew I wanted to incorporate into his celebration. Oh, it was so utterly perfect for Noah's birthday!

If you are stuck on a choosing a theme and color scheme for your little one's first birthday party, I wanted to share with you that I was stuck too--and tell you how I got out of it. I was stuck for months. And I changed my mind, OFTEN. But it all came together...it almost seemed that it wasn't meant for me to decide on too early. If I had chosen too early, it probably would have been my favorite thing in his nursery...by waiting, it was chosen based on his most beloved toy.

 I needed a bit more time watching Noah develop that strong bond with this favorite toy, and witness and absorb all the precious things he would do during the first months of his life--and recognize how much it meant to me.

Maybe you need time, too. And if you are looking for some ideas to get you started, here are some to get the juices flowing!


50 First Birthday Themes:

10 Toy-Inspired First Birthday Party Themes

Vintage Toys

Baby Dolls

Teddy Bears

Sock Monkeys

Baby Blocks

Rubber Ducky

Bouncing Balls

Pull Toys

Toy Boats

Rocking Horse


10 Storybook, Storybook Character or Nursery Rhyme-Inspired First Birthday Party Themes

Humpty Dumpy

Mother Goose

Beatrix Potter's Tale of Peter Rabbit

Goodnight Moon

Pat The Bunny

Curious George

Winnie The Pooh

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Hey Diddle, Diddle

Dr. Seuss' Cat In The Hat


10 Animal First Birthday Themes


Giraffe

Monkey (or all jungle animals)

Puppy

Cow (or all farm animals)

Ladybug

Lamb

Elephant

Zebra (or all safari animals)

Kangaroo

Bunny


10 Food-Inspired First Birthday Party Themes


Pumpkins (our little pumpkin)

Cherries (the cherry on top)

Peaches (just peachy)

Cookies & Milk

Cupcakes (our little cupcake)

Bananas  (we're bananas over you)

Apples  (the apple of our eye)

Dumpling (our little apple dumpling)

Pie (our sweetie pie)

Sweets (our little sweetheart, the sugar on top, the sweetest thing)


10 Nursery Pattern or Fabric-Inspired First Birthday Party Themes

Toile

Argyle

Polka Dots

Seersucker Stripes

Lace

Gingham

Plaid

Dainty Florals

Swiss Dots

Chenille


Please, enjoy the process!


Do you have any favorite first birthday party themes? I would love to hear them in your comments on this post!