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Things You Shouldn't Forget When Composing First Birthday Invitations

First birthday invitations should contain more than just a request to come to the celebration. Since you will be dealing with young guests, several factors should be considered first. Below are some of them.

Things parents and family members should keep in mind when making first birthday invitations.

1. The guests. These will be kids ranging in age from a few months to, maybe, 12 years old. You cannot expect all the kids to be of the same age as the celebrant. Children will likely bring their siblings. And their parents, of course. But the invitations should be addressed to the kids. We know that the parents or guardians will be reading them and will be the ones to decide whether to show up or not, but a child will feel more important and will be happier if his or her name is the one that is written on the envelope.

2. The theme. Always have a theme if the party is for a baby, a toddler or a grade schooler. Children will be eager to attend a celebration where they can expect high levels of fun activities, games and entertainment. You can celebrate the special day by having a circus theme complete with clowns and jugglers. Or a costume party where boys can dress up as Batman and Robin and girls can be fairies or Barbie. Once you've chosen the theme, make sure the invitations reflect it.

3. Delivery ideas. You can't send them by email. You just cannot. It just won't be as fun as opening an envelope. Can you imagine the joy of a six or five-year-old when he or she receives an envelope with his or her name written on it? His very own name! Her very own letter! He will be so eager to open it and you will be depriving him of this experience if you send it through email. If your child's tiny guests live nearby, maybe you can have someone dress up and deliver the envelopes door-to-door. You can do it yourself. See if you don't feel your heart swell when you see the joyful expressions on the kids' faces when they receive their own invites.

4. Give additional information to the adults. Your child's birthday invitations will of course contain the what, the when and the where. However, make sure that you send a more detailed letter or email to the guests' parents or guardian telling them of the activities that their kids can expect, the food that will be served and other arrangements that need to be known to the invitees and their families. Giving this information will prevent potential accidents that can be caused by food allergies or a physical inability to participate in some of the games and activities.

First birthday invitations should reflect the nature of the occasion, which means it should be bright, fun, attractive and informative enough for the young invitees.