It's here already! She is turning one year old, and it hardly seems real.
You want to make it special, but now what? Well, with a little forethought and a little help, you can make it through that party without pulling your hair out, and calling the doctor for some contraband.

1. Make a cake.
   Nothing is more fun to watch and take pictures of than a one-year-old digging in to their very own chocolate cake and smearing it from head to toe.
   I promise when you think back on it and look at those great pictures, it will be worth it.
   
2. Decide on a time.
   Pick a day when you can do it, where there is the least amount of things on the 'to do' list.
   Who cares if it's not exactly on her birthday.
   She won't know.
   Everybody else won't care either.
   
3. Choose a theme.
   Winnie the Pooh is always so cute.
   Then there is the ever popular princess everything.
   Or, go a little wild and bring the jungle home.
   Teddy bears or Sesame Street or any other TV character you think is the best will work.
   The fact is, she will like it no matter what you choose.
   If any of these don't spark an interest, just plain deciding on a color will do.
   PINK! ( Or, a little less over-used, purple or yellow).
   

Things to consider:

• Time: Keep it short.
  No one wants to spend hours trying to entertain toddlers, least of all you.
  Just a half an hour to an hour is sufficient.
  
• Entertainment: Have some sort of little game or finger plays, and some cute music playing in the background.
  Remember those short attention spans.
  Change activities every five to ten minutes.
  If you are only having older guests come, have something for them to do like color in a coloring book with crayons.
  (This actually is good for adults to return to childhood for a few minutes.
  It can make for some great conversation).
  
• Clean up: It really helps to throw one of those disposable plastic tablecloths down on the floor underneath the high chair, and on the table so that after you are done, you just gather up the tablecloth, and the mess is gone.
  
• Gifts: Keep gifts easy to open, with not a lot of ribbons and bows.
  She likes the tearing the paper apart, and not trying to undo all the trappings.
  

The most important thing to remember is not to get too tied up in what you think she ought to enjoy and trying to make everything perfect.
Some good children's birthday supplies will help make your life easier, but she will like it no matter what.
Most importantly, let her enjoy it and take her time.