What an incredible year! That tiny little bundle you brought into the world is now heading for their milestone first birthday. Here are some top tips and fun ideas for celebrating their special day Should it be low key with just a little friend or two to tea, or a family knees-up? Whatever you choose, your tot will pick up on the excitement, but fortunately is easy to entertain. You don’t need to provide them with much more than adoring fans to cuddle and play with (there’ll be no shortage of relatives and friends on that score), put on some tot-friendly music and get in lots of balloons for them to grab at. If you want to throw a big party, then consider… Whether to have it at home or to book a hall or soft play zone, or if it’s a summer birthday, a picnic in the park or back garden (a bubble machine will get extra squeals of delight here). A theme such as a favourite character or colour for tableware and decorations. You can go to town with this, as there’s a huge choice of themed partyware online or on the high street. A joint party with other babies you know whose birthdays are around the same time. You could club together with mums from your antenatal class or Bounty forums. Food and drink (for grown ups and children). Think bite-size snacks for the tots: grapes, raisins, rice cakes, mini muffins and breadsticks for example. There’ll be at least one adult with every tot or older child so plan on six canapé-size nibbles each, tortilla chips or crisps with dip, plus drinks. The birthday cake with candle to puff out (for that memorable photo/film opportunity). Keeping it short and sweet (one-and-a-half to two hours, max) before it all gets too much for the star of the show. Whatever way you decide to celebrate, remember to charge up your camera so you can capture the event. When your one year old is a few years older, they’ll love seeing themselves at their own first birthday party