The first birthday party is undoubtedly more special to you than to your baby. In fact, your 12-month-old will probably view the celebration as an unnecessary interruption of playtime. So the key to creating a wonderful event is to make it memorable - for you!

Everything - from food to decorations - should be kept as simple as possible. Your job is to take footage and marvel at how your baby's becoming a toddler - not to be running around the kitchen washing dishes or adding oregano to homemade soup.

While keeping things simple for this first birthday, don't forget to limit the number of guests. Most babies this age are experiencing a double whammy of stranger and separation anxiety. A guest list of 10 may be overwhelming to your guest of honour. Your best bet is to invite only close friends and family.

To theme or not to theme?

Themes are often a great way to structure a birthday party. However, although themes can help you plan decorations, invitations and food, any activities or games should be kept to a minimum.

A one-year-old simply doesn't have the attention span or skills needed to participate in the fun. Don't forget you will have your hands full entertaining guests while trying to monitor your cruising birthday babe!

Your baby is turning one. This is the most momentous birthday ever, short of 100. But beware: parents often make the mistake of taking a great theme like Winnie the Pooh, and turning it into Pooh Bear birthday overload.

Keep the celebration short - many babies simply can't handle the sensory overload. Limit your party to two hours or risk birthday-baby meltdown.

Go ahead and plaster Baby Roo on the walls, serve treats on Eeyore plates, and Pigletize your birthday cake. Then sit back and let the party take its course. This is the one event that is more for you than for your child. If you run around organising events, you'll miss the party.

Invitations

Make your invitations a creative hit. Decorate them with quotes, graphics or stickers, relating to your chosen theme.

• Use clip art: Find images of (for example) Winnie the Pooh, Teletubbies or Thomas the Tank Engine within a clip art program and print them out on your invitations.
• Think visually: After printing out invitations, cut them into a fun shape - like Pooh, Dipsy or Thomas - around the border.
• Make it easy: Many shops stock pre-printed themed birthday invitations.
• Review the books: Spice up your invitations by using several quotes from children's books.

Activities and games

Incorporating one activity into the party is fine, but don't go overboard. Expecting a one-year-old to appreciate several structured activities is a set-up for failure.

In fact, most one year olds find more enjoyment in ruining planned events than in taking part in them.

• 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.