1st Birthdays

First Birthdays are very, very special because they only happen once in your child's life. Believe it or not, this will be the easiest celebration of all your child's future birthday parties. Simple is the keyword and then you'll have as much fun making a fuss over your child as they will enjoy the attention.

Toddlers do not understand rules, have no capacity to "wait" their turn, have short attention spans and constantly want to move around… they are TERRIFIC… fun toddler games that are not structured are listed later in this article.

Quick Tips

Party Time
After baby's naptime
1 to 1-1/2 hours

Guests
Limit the number on your guest list if this is not a family party. The commotion of a lot of children and adults can cause the one-year old to become cranky.

Blanket in the Corner
In the corner of the party room, lay a blanket down on the floor and add a large selection of soft toys for all the toddlers to play with - remembering that for one, two and even three-year olds, everything starts with the word "MINE" and they believe it is truly theirs.

Party Theme
When your child is watching television or has a favorite toy, you'll be able to tell which character(s) they most especially enjoy. Many of these popular characters have matching party supplies and cake decorations that can be purchased. If your child does not show an interest in any theme, select one that matches their bedroom or one that you enjoy. If the birthday is close to the November/December, ask guests to bring an ornament for baby's first holiday/Christmas tree - and becomes a special keepsake to give the child when she/he becomes an adult.

Cautions
If you use balloons, ensure that any popped balloons are not left on the floor, chairs or table - children can choke on them. Toys and party favors should be at least the size of an adult fist. Some toddlers/children are allergic to peanut butter, dairy products, etc. - check with parents before serving any foods.

Camera
Have lots of film ready for wonderful photo opportunities!

Invitations
Make your own or purchase ready-made invitations that match your theme - add a photo of the birthday baby when he/she was born. Your guests will enjoy the personal touch!

Thank You Notes
Snap a photo of your child with each gift that is opened and include it with your thank you note. This is a very appreciated gesture, especially for guests that could not attend the party. As the birthday baby opens up a gift, snap a photo of the baby and the person who gave the gift.

Decorations
Balloons and streamers add instant festivity to any celebration. (Ensure that deflated balloons are immediately picked up and thrown away). Centerpieces that are flat-packed and assembled for the party make wonderful reminders in scrapbooks or tacked to the child's bedroom wall when the party is over.

Food
Toddlers: Finger-foods
Older Toddlers and adults: Pizza (make your own, buy it frozen or have it delivered - saves lots of your energy in food preparation)
fun ideas..

Cake
Provide two cakes… one cake "just" for the birthday baby to eat all by her or himself and have your camera ready!!! The other cake is for the guests and can be decorated to match the party theme. A simple cake is to just add "one" candle on a frosted cake.

Submitted by: April Johnson About April	Submitted by Ada Nieves About Ada
Submitted by Ada Nieves About Ada	Submitted by Ada Nieves About Ada
Submitted by Sweet Art by Jennifer About Jennifer	Submitted by Sweet Art by Jennifer About Jennifer

Recipes and Photos courtesy of
NESTLÈ® USA and www.VeryBestBaking.com

Rich Chocolate Cake With Creamy Peanut Butter Milk Chocolate Frosting

Ingredients:

CAKE
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
2/3 cup NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Baking Cocoa
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
1 cup water
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 2/3 cups (11-oz. pkg.) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Peanut Butter & Milk Chocolate Morsels, divided

CREAMY PEANUT BUTTER MILK CHOCOLATE FROSTING
1 pkg.(8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon salt
3 cups powdered sugar

GARNISH
1 bar (2 oz. total) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Baking Bar, made into curls

Directions:
FOR CAKE:
PREHEAT oven to 350° F. Grease and flour two 9-inch-round cake pans.

COMBINE flour, granulated sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt in large mixer bowl. Add milk, water, vegetable oil, eggs and vanilla extract; blend until moistened. Beat for 2 minutes (batter will be thin). Pour into prepared pans. Sprinkle 1/3 cup morsels over each cake.

BAKE for 25 to 30 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks for 10 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely. Frost with Creamy Peanut Butter Milk Chocolate Frosting between layers and on top and side of cake. Garnish with chocolate curls before serving.

FOR CREAMY PEANUT BUTTER MILK CHOCOLATE FROSTING:
MICROWAVE remaining morsels in small, microwave-safe bowl on MEDIUM-HIGH (70%) power for 1 minute; stir. Microwave at additional 10- to 20-second intervals, stirring until smooth. Beat cream cheese, melted morsels, vanilla extract and salt in small mixer bowl until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in powdered sugar.

CHOCOLATE CURLS:
Carefully draw a vegetable peeler across a bar of NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Semi-Sweet Chocolate. Vary the width of your curls by using different sides of the chocolate bar.

Chocolate Swirl Bundt Cake

Ingredients:1 pkg.(18.25 oz.) yellow cake mix
4 large eggs
3/4 cup sour cream
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup water
3 packets (1 oz. each) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® CHOCO BAKE® Unsweetened Chocolate Flavor
Powdered sugar

Directions:
PREHEAT oven to 375° F. Grease 10-cup bundt or tube pan.

COMBINE cake mix, eggs, sour cream, vegetable oil and water in large mixer bowl. Beat on low speed until moistened. Beat on high speed for 2 minutes.

PLACE 1 1/2 cups batter in medium bowl; stir in Choco Bake. Alternately spoon batters into prepared pan, beginning and ending with yellow batter.

BAKE for 35 to 45 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in cake comes out clean. Cool in pan for 20 minutes; invert onto wire rack to cool completely. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.

Mini Morsel Cupcakes

Ingredients:

CUPCAKES
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine , softened (we recommend LAND O LAKES® Butter)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 large eggs
1 cup milk
2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Mini Morsels , divided

FROSTING
2 1/2 cups sifted powdered sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine , softened (we recommend LAND O LAKES® Butter)
1/4 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:
PREHEAT oven to 375° F. Paper-line or grease 24 muffin cups.

FOR CUPCAKES:
COMBINE flour, baking powder and salt in small bowl. Beat granulated sugar, butter and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture alternately with milk. Stir in 3/4 cup morsels. Spoon into prepared muffin cups, filling 3/4 full.

BAKE for 18 to 20 minutes or until tops spring back when lightly pressed. Cool slightly in pans on wire racks. Remove to wire racks to cool completely. Frost; sprinkle with remaining morsels.

FOR FROSTING:
MICROWAVE 1 cup morsels in medium, microwave-safe bowl on HIGH (100%) power for 1 minute; stir. Microwave at additional 10- to 20-second intervals, stirring until smooth. Beat powdered sugar, butter, milk, vanilla extract and melted chocolate in small mixer bowl until creamy.

Treat Sacks
While it is not necessary to provide guests with party favors at a first birthday, it is usually a nice gesture to say thank you for coming and should be kept inexpensive.
Toddlers: Soft toys, bathtub toys, teething biscuits
Children (over age of three years): Gauge items to ages of children: Stickers, blowouts, ball, yoyo, bottle of bubbles, mini toys, etc.

Memory Book
Scrapbooking is a wonderful fun way for parents to keep memories of the first milestone birthday celebration alive for years to come and makes an excellent gift when the child becomes an adult.

Games and Activities

Sing Along
Singing/active games, like Ring Around the Rosy and Itsy Bitsy Spider fascinate and entertain kids, letting them join in and have a great time. Lead a parade in your living room -- kids like to make noises and move around, so how about animal sounds. The leader (you?) makes a cow sound and the kids make the cow sound and follow the leader as she/he zigzags around the room. Any other simple "active" games that include clapping, stomping, giggling, etc. are especially enjoyed by babies and toddlers. Add some musical instruments and be ready for fun (and noise).

Fun Activities:
The suggested games below are not competitive, just an activity. No winners, No losers.

Bubble Chase
Ask the adults blow bubbles into the air and let the kids chase after and pop them.

Incredible Edible Crafts, Play Dough and Finger Paint Recipes:
This compilation of recipes is aimed at those children that would rather eat their art supplies than create a work of art! Ahead of time, make up a batch of play dough and cover a work area in the party room. While the adults chat or eat cake, let toddlers and children squeeze and play. For a listing of recipes made from ingredients found in your home, click on http://www.thepartyworks.com/ediblecrafts.htm

Bean Bags Drop:
An easy activity and one that will go on and on. Provide six beanbags, (3 red, 3 blue), and set up a target (such as a bowl or bucket). Toss or walk up and drop the bean bags into it.

Go Fishing:
Set up a "fish pond" behind a blanket and have the kiddies stand in front of the blanket. With the help of an adult, children drop their fishing lines (use sticks, rope and a clothespin for a hook) in to the lake or ocean. Another adult behind the blanket clips a prize to the "hook".

Sand Treasure:
Provide a large pail or rubber container filled with sand. Bury small prizes all around under the sand and let each toddler dig till he/she finds a treasure.

Peanut Scramble:
Scatter peanuts all over an area and provide each child with a paper bag, asking them to find all the peanuts. Too simple, yes… but great fun for toddlers. Variation: You can use clothespins for this activity instead of peanuts.

Compliments of:
The Premier Party and Cake Informational Websites
Free party plans and game ideas, and cake decorating advice.
http://www.thepartyworks.com%20/
http://www.cakeworkscentral.com%20/

First Birthday Party Supplies and Cake Decorations
http://www.thepartyworks.com/party-shop/index.htm

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