When it came time to celebrate our daughter’s first birthday, I wanted it to feel special, something personal, memorable, and full of fun for both kids and adults. I landed on The ONEderful Wizard of Graz theme (a little play on “The Wizard of Oz” for Graziella), and I loved every minute of bringing it to life.
Her birthday falls close to Halloween, so we decided to lean into the season and make it a festive celebration. Many of our guests showed up in costume, which made it extra fun, but in the case they didn't I even had themed party hats! Since most of our guests were adults and the few children who attended were toddlers, I had to get creative with entertainment. Instead of games or activities, I put together small activity baskets for each little guest filled with simple crafts, stickers, and sensory toys. It was the perfect way to keep them happy and engaged.
Once I started planning, I couldn’t resist diving deep into the details. Each table reflected one side of the story, half were themed around Dorothy, and the others captured the Wicked Witch, creating a fun, colorful contrast that tied the whole party together.
To carry the theme even further, I set up a candy bar with clever, Oz-inspired treats: Tin Man Hats (Hershey’s Kisses), Over the Rainbow (Skittles), Glinda’s Bubbles (Bubble Gum), Scarecrow’s Diploma (Smarties), and more. For party favors, guests could fill their Ruby Slipper tagged “Thank You Very Sweetly” or their Water Bucket with a Mini Broom that read “Thank You, My Pretty.”
Planning a first birthday can be a big project, but if you love a good theme and don’t mind diving into the details, it’s such a fun way to celebrate your little one’s first big milestone. With a bit of creativity (and lots of late-night decorating sessions), I discovered how to make the day feel truly magical without going too overboard on spending.
🎉1. Start with a Theme You Love
Pick a theme that makes you smile, whether it is something tied to your child’s personality, nickname, or even your own childhood favorites. The Wizard of Oz was one of my favorite movies growing up, so bringing that story to life (with my daughter as the main character!) made the day extra special.
💻 2. Go Digital for Designs
Canva can be your best friend when it comes to a budget and making things personal. Canva is perfect to create invitations, banners, and favor tags that look professionally made.
✂️ 3. DIY the Details
You don’t need to be a crafter to pull off a beautiful setup! Simple touched like themed tablecloths, balloons, and a few props can go a long way. Borrow items you already have at home or repurpose decorations from other events. It is never too early to plan ahead! I often find the earlier I start planning the more materials I can gather throughout the months without feeling too stressed or overwhelmed.
📸 4. Focus on the Moments
It’s easy to get caught up in the details, but the best memories are the ones you can’t plan, so enjoy and capture every second.
Whether you host your party at home or in one of our local parks, what matters most is celebrating your little one’s big milestone with the people who love them most.
I had so much fun putting together my daughter’s ONEderful Wizard of Graz celebration and can’t wait to continue our tradition of a Halloween-inspired birthday theme each year. I hope these ideas spark a little inspiration as you plan your own celebrations!
I’ll be working on a Children’s Party Guide over the next couple of months featuring local businesses that make party planning easier for families in our community. Keep an eye on my upcoming newsletters, and I’ll share when it’s live!
