Baby's first birthday party

• Get them involved: Print out a colour-in picture of your chosen character (you can download from websites) on A4 paper and distribute to small guests. Put chunky crayons on the table, and have all children colour the 'placemats'. Even your one-year-old may be capable of scribbling on the picture.
• Think safety first: Balloons. Babies adore them, but many experts suggest banning balloons until a child is six or older. If a balloon should pop, the remnants can pose a serious choking hazard. If you must use them, buy helium balloons and cut the ribbons so that they are inaccessible to even the best jumper in the group. Be careful to dispose of them properly after the party.

Party bags and gifts
Party bag fillers can include colouring books and crayons or pocket-money toys. Stickers and stamps also make great party bag fillers.

Gifts
If your one-year-old has too many toys already, community member WendyBoo suggests that you ask guests who enquire about gifts to contribute a copy of their favourite childhood book to the guest of honour's future library. You will end up with a fabulous collection of quality books that are guaranteed to last longer than any plastic train.

More winning ideas for first birthday gifts:

• Push and pull toys: These are very popular with the one and over crowd.
• Audio/visual toys: Toys that make sounds and have flashing lights are always winners. Just test them in the shop to be sure that you can live with them.
• Ride-on toys: Colourful ride-on toys will be appreciated by the newly mobile.
• Clothes: Go ahead and buy them. This is the last year that your child won't groan when she unwraps something to wear.