Your baby won't remember their first birthday, but you'll look at the photos for years. That's why the best first birthday decorations focus on one thing: a backdrop that looks great in every picture. Get that right, add a few themed touches, and the whole party feels put together.
Here are twelve first birthday themes and decoration ideas we love, with the colours that make each one work.
1. Boho neutral
Ivory, cream, sand and soft olive green. It's calm, it suits any home, and it photographs beautifully in natural light. Pair it with dried pampas grass, a wooden cake stand and a giant cream-gold "1". It's also a safe pick if you don't want pink or blue. See the Boho Neutral kit.
2. Teddy bear picnic
Soft pinks and creams with a big teddy foil feel sweet without being over the top. Spread a gingham blanket on the floor, add a few stuffed bears as "guests" and serve honey cakes. Try the Pink Teddy or the gender-neutral Teddy Bear Boho.
3. One in a melon
A bright summer theme with red, pink and green and watermelon-slice balloons. Serve watermelon "cake", fruit cups and pink lemonade. It's perfect for a garden party. See the One in a Melon kit.
4. Wild one jungle safari
Shades of green with jungle animal faces for a "wild one". Add leafy garlands, animal print plates and a cake with little toy animals on top. See the Jungle Safari kit.
5. Some bunny is one
Pink and sage with bunny balloons is lovely for a spring birthday. Carrot-shaped snacks and a little bunny-ear headband for the birthday baby finish it off. See Some Bunny Is One.
6. Classic baby blue
Slate, sky and navy blue with silver stars is timeless for a little boy. Keep the table white and silver so the blues stand out. See the Blue First Birthday kit.
7. Pastel pink princess
Layers of pastel pink, light pink and a pop of fuchsia, with heart balloons. Add a tutu for the birthday girl and a pink drip cake. See the Pastel Pink kit.
8. Happy bee day
Sunny yellow with a bumble bee is cheerful and works for boys and girls. Honey jars as favours and black-and-yellow striped napkins tie it together. See the Bumble Bee kit.
9. Butterfly garden
Lavender, pink and pista green with butterflies dotted through the garland. Add fresh flowers in small jars on the tables. See the Butterfly Garden kit.
10. Coquette bows
Bows are everywhere right now. A giant heart-print bow with pink and ivory hearts gives a soft, girly, very "Pinterest" look. See the Coquette Pink Bow kit.
11. Pastel rainbow
Can't choose one colour? A soft pastel rainbow suits any baby and matches almost any cake. See the Pastel Rainbow kit.
12. Rainbow brights
For a big, bold, happy party, go full rainbow with gold starbursts. Bright colours also look great in photos taken outdoors. See the Rainbow kit.
How to set up the perfect first birthday backdrop
- Pick one wall where you'll do the cake smash and family photos, ideally near a window for soft light.
- Hang a balloon garland in a diagonal sweep above the cake table. A 10 foot garland fills most backdrops; 5 feet is enough for just the table. Our balloon arch size guide explains how to measure.
- Add a giant "1" as the star of the photos. Stand it on the floor beside the high chair at baby's eye level.
- Keep the table simple: cake in the middle, a few treats either side, and one colour for plates and napkins.
- Build it the night before. Air-filled balloons look fresh for days indoors, so you won't be rushing on the morning of the party. Here's how to build a balloon arch step by step.
Safety first with little ones
Balloons and babies need a little care. Keep uninflated balloons and any broken pieces away from children, hang the garland above reach, and pick up any popped balloon straight away. Foil balloons are a good choice near the high chair because they don't shatter when they pop.
Every one of these themes is available as a complete kit with the balloons colour-matched and counted, a giant number or centrepiece, and everything you need to hang it.
Shop first birthday kitsWARNING: CHOKING HAZARD
Children under 8 yrs. can choke or suffocate on uninflated or broken balloons. Adult supervision required. Keep uninflated balloons from children. Discard broken balloons at once.
