Invitations for first birthday

A baby's first birthday is a moment all of its own. In Britain families love to gather the close circle for this symbolic milestone: grandparents, godparents, aunts, uncles and a few of the parents' friends. The party is usually an afternoon affair, intimate and cheerful, with a cake to match the theme (the number one, a favourite animal, a colour scheme) and the famous moment when the baby first meets the cake, photographed from every angle. An online invitation helps you gather the guests and pass on the details.

The guest list is typically 10 to 25 people. Both families, the godparents, aunts and uncles, and the parents' close friends with their own little ones. In our experience it is best to plan a first birthday for a Saturday or Sunday afternoon (3 to 6pm), to fit around a toddler's rhythm: a short nap before the guests arrive, a few hours of play, then tea or a meal.

The invitation should carry the child's name, the date of the first birthday, the time, the venue (often home or a restaurant with a play area), the plan (cake, games), a word on gifts (clothes, books, early-learning toys, a gift voucher), parking, an RSVP form noting the number of children (important for the catering and any entertainment) and the parents' contact. An invitation with a photo of the child in the header is an endearing classic.

The digital format suits young parents: the link circulates on the family WhatsApp group and among friends of the same age, while the older relatives are more likely to get a phone call. Replies count themselves, separating children from adults, which helps with planning the tea. A Google map guides everyone to the house or restaurant.