Top 5 Special First Birthday Ideas - Ways To Make Baby's First Birthday Memorable

Baby’s very first birthday is such a huge & special milestone for them and you! Here are 5 special first birthday ideas to make sure baby’s first birthday is memorable and something you both will cherish forever.

Hi friends,

Wow, baby’s first birthday already? Where did the time go?? Honestly, the first year really does fly by so fast. We blink and suddenly that small, little newborn is now giant, crawling and doing all the things!

As parents we’re always looking for ways to make things extra special for our little ones. They may not remember their first birthday but it’s such a huge and special milestone that we definitely want to preserve it for them as best as we can.

Here are 5 special first birthday ideas that will make this birthday a memorable one that you both will forever cherish.

This post is all about 5 special first birthday ideas for baby!

Special First Birthday Ideas

1. Have a Guest Book

This is such a simple idea yet it gets overlooked so often. Guest books are very popular for weddings but I love the idea of having one for a first birthday party too! This is such a special way for baby to be able to look back and remember just how loved they are as they grow older. I would highly encourage you to leave an instant camera nearby for those who sign it to take a selfie as well. Having a photo to match the guestbook entry will just make it 10x better!

1 Year Loved Guest Book

This guest book is super cute! It also has a few “frame” pages specifically intended for you to be able to add photos.

Personalized Birthday Guest Book

Okay, this guest book is way too adorable! I almost didn’t link it because it doesn’t have any reviews yet but I decided to anyway because it’s just too cute! I love that it can be personalized on the cover. It also appears that the pages are completely blank so you have total freedom with it which is great!

Fujifilm instax Mini 9 Instant Camera

Lastly, don’t forget the camera! This instant camera is perfect. Guests can quickly snap a photo and write their little note while it develops. Then, they can sign it and easily tape it into the guest book right then and there.

2. Set Up a Milestone Photo Banner

Next up, a simple banner that can act as a decor item and a keepsake! Chances are you’ve already been taking monthly milestone photos of baby for instagram, let’s put them to use! Find 12 photos of baby from each month and print them out. Display the banner at your little ones birthday party as an adorable piece that everyone will love to look at! After the party, make sure you carefully seal it and save it. I love the idea of having this as the first string of photos at their 18th birthday right above a string of yearly ones.

Whaline 1st Birthday Baby Photo Banner

This photo banner is perfect! It comes in gold, rose gold, blue & brown. It’s also super affordable and has great reviews! This photo banner just uses standard 4×6 photos.

Bememo 1st Birthday Baby Photo Banner

I wanted to add this one in as well. It basically the same as the one above but is supposed to be a bit sturdier. The only downside it that this banner does not offer any other colors.

3. Create a First Birthday Time Capsule

Who doesn’t love time capsules?? They’re honestly the best. If you’ve never opened a time capsule, you won’t understand but its so exciting! This is such a special first birthday idea that your little one will be able to enjoy years for now. I would have died over something like this. I also think this could be a great opportunity to retire the pacifier in a special way by “putting it away for later” for them. Overall just a super fun, sentimental and meaningful gift.

1st Birthday Time Capsule | Baby’s Keepsake Box

This box is absolutely gorgeous. Its beautifully customizable with baby’s name. You can also add a “to be opened on” birthday and official date. I think adding a cute little heart shaped lock on this would be the perfect little touch. Just don’t lose the key lol

Warmtree Small Metal Heart Shaped Padlock

How perfect is this mini lock? This would make a great mini lock to keep everything safe and secret until the official open date. I wish I had a good tip for you on where to hide the key to make sure it doesn’t get lost but I’m the queen on losing things so. If you have any good ideas leave a comment below to help us!

Jasni Time Capsule Stainless Steel Waterproof Container

Here’s a more classic option for your time capsule. This capsule would be ideal if you plan to burry it since it’s waterproof and airtight. This option is also quite a bit cheaper than the box listed above. There are 3 different sizes available.

4. Make “Open When” Letters

So baby just turned one and obviously can’t read yet but this is still such a special first birthday idea in my opinion. If you’re unfamiliar, “open when” letters are just as they sound. They’re letter that you open at certain, specified times. The options for these are endless. Some ideas might include..

Open when ideas:

You first start middle/high school
You turn 10
You’re really mad at me
You get your first job
You have you’re first break up
You need a laugh
You graduate
You become a big sister/brother

… and so many more options!

Be sure to add in a few surprises into a couple of the letters to make them extra unique and exciting. Consider adding confetti, cash, gift cards, photos, recipe cards, sticker sheets, etc.

Vintage Stationary Paper and Envelopes

This stationary set is super simple, classic and timeless. These would make beautiful keepsakes that your child can cherish forever. The sticker pack that comes with it says “freshly baked” for some reason, so I’d just ignore those lol

CRASPIRE Wax Seal Stamp with Love

Finish off your letters with a beautiful wax seal for an extra added touch. These wax seals say “with love” but a seal with initials, hearts or “open me” would all be perfect as well. Too adorable!

Letters to My Baby: Write Now. Read Later.

If coming up with your prompts sounds overwhelming these are another great option. “Letters To My Baby” comes with 12 pre-written letter prompts to fill out. The envelopes also have a section to include when the letter was sealed on and when to open it. Such a fun & special first birthday idea!

5. Film a First Birthday Video

Chances are you’re going to be taking a million photos and videos at your baby’s first birthday, why not put together a mini video of them? This first birthday idea is great on its own or could be something you add to your time capsule.

You can run with this first birthday idea however you want but this is how I would personally do it. I would film as much as I can from baby’s first birthday party and record a special personal message video from mom & dad. Then, I would edit together the footage from the party, my video message and other clips from baby’s first year and make it all into one video.

Now, had my parents made one of these when I was little (first, I would have absolutely loved that!) I would probably be out of luck. Chances are, in the 90’s they would have saved it to a floppy disk and I would have a hard time viewing it today. With how fast technology changes we want to make sure that they’ll still be able to view this 20+ years from now. I highly suggest saving the video to an USB drive and providing a video player as well.

DBPOWER 11.5″ Portable DVD Player

This video player is perfect. It’s small and compact and can read multiple forms of media. This player can read SD cards, dvds, CD’s and UBS drives.

Customized Metal Rotation USB Flash Drive

Lastly, an adorable personalized flash drive. This is just another way to enhance the experience by making it even more custom and special. You can engrave a little message on this USB drive in one of their beautiful font options.