Sending out Invitations to Your Child’s First Birthday Party

You and your child have made it through the first year of life and it is time to celebrate! There’s nothing quite like celebrating baby’s first birthday with friends and family. The first year celebration is mostly for the adults as your child will not even remember the occasion. 1^st birthday invitations are a helpful planning tool but many people do not know proper etiquette. Read on to find out the proper steps to sending out the perfect children’s 1^st party invitations.

When to Send out Invitations

If your child’s first birthday party is going to be formal you will want to send out 1^st birthday invitations at least six to eight weeks before the date. This gives the participants plenty of time to purchase a gift and fit it into their schedules. It is not uncommon for parents to throw elaborate parties for their children. Some parents choose to go all out and fill the event with kid’s activities while others choose to go with more of an adult theme since the child will not remember the event anyway.

If the birthday party is going to be an informal event it is okay to send out the invitations two to three weeks in advance. Regardless of if the party is formal or informal you will want to give out of town guests at least a couple of months advanced notice.

What Information to Include on the 1^st Birthday Invitations

It is best to keep the message short but also include the necessary information. Include the following:

·         Friendly introduction – “John is turning one. We would love for you to come celebrate his first year of life with us!”

·         Description of the Party – Example: 1^st Birthday Party for John Jones

·         Who is Hosting the Party – Include the full names of the people hosting

·         Date and Time of the Party – List the day and date of the party followed by the time. Including an end time when dealing with a child’s birthday is a nice touch.

Detailed Information for Children’s 1^st Party Invitations

·         Location information – Include the address and the name of the venue of there is one. Include only the street and city names for local guests. It is also a great idea to include a map in the invitation. You can also include any detailed information about the location such as any nearby landmarks, cross streets, etc.
·         Instructions – This may include indicating proper clothing, necessary equipment such as a bathing suit or a costume, or sleeping bag.
·         RSVP – Anabbreviation of the French request, "réspondezs'il vous plait.”The RSVP line is a request for guests to indicate whether or not they are attending your child’s first birthday.  Include your name, email, and phone number as ways for people to RSVP. Give a specific date guests need to RSVP by.

For an informal event it is okay for people to RSVP by phone, in-person or email. If the party is going to be formal you will want to include reply cards. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope with the reply card. Sending a self-addressed stamped envelope encourages guests to respond much quicker to your request and will result in getting more RSVP notices. To help you find the perfect 1^st birthday party invitations visit Inviting Concepts.