Hosted: Pierson’s 1st Birthday

We celebrated my son’s first birthday with a small gathering at our home. Typing that sounds crazy, I cant believe I’ve been a mom for a year. A truly incredible, over joyous, amazing year. All because of one very special little boy.

To mark this big milestone, I wanted to create a day that was just as special as he is. I went all in on a “First Lap Complete” race car theme, transforming our home into a mini speedway filled with checkered flags, racing stripes, and themed pit stop snacks and goodies.

Since I made the food myself, I was able to add fun touches to match the theme. Decorating at home also gave me the freedom to start early and take my time. It made the whole process more enjoyable, and I loved seeing all the little details come together.

Food

We had:

Behind the food area, I laid out a checkered hanging banner as a backdrop. For his highchair area I used black plastic table coverings that doubled as easy cleanup after the smash cake. I also incorporated his pictures into cupcake toppers for an extra personal touch.

Decorations

I went all in on the decorations to bring the “First Lap Complete” theme to life.

Since balloons are budget-friendly and make a big impact, I used them everywhere! Big balloon garlands along the stairs, floor balloon clusters, and helium balloons floating throughout the space. The whole setup was tied together with checkered flags, racing stripes, and bright pops of yellow,red, black, and white. I even grabbed some orange cones to add to the theme.

One of my favorite decor pieces was the First Lap Track, which featured monthly milestone photos from 1 week to 11 months. I hot glued a few toy cars around the track with his photos. Around the house, I hung checkered flag banners, put up a big poster highlighting his first year, and added fun themed signs like “Race Gear” near the favors , “Refueling Station” by the food, and “Coolant“ by the drinks.

The soft play area was another big focal point! It was named the “Ball Pit Stop” and had racer-themed decals, a ball pit, climbing toys, balance bikes, and bouncy bikes. Since I had it set up in one room, it kept the decor cohesive with the rest of the party using the same balloon theme.There was also a runway-style mat that looked like a racetrack, rolled out like a red carpet for a fun entrance

Party Favors & Gift Bags

For the party favors and gift bags, I wanted to make sure everyone—kids and adults—got something fun and memorable to take home. Since it was a race car-themed party, I kept everything on theme with personalized touches.

Kids’ Gift Bags:

Each child received a customized driver’s license with their picture on it, just like a real race car driver! I also included a personalized puzzle sheet with fun race-themed activities for the older kids too. The bags included small goodies and surprises, all picked to match the theme and keep them entertained.

Adult Crew Passes:

For the adults, I made crew passes that looked like official pit crew badges. Each one had a thank-you note on the back as a way to show appreciation for them coming. It was a simple but thoughtful way to include the adults in the fun while keeping everything cohesive.

Finish Line

All in all, the day was filled with fun, laughter, and memories we’ll hold forever. The joy on his face, seeing all the decorations come together, and watching him finally dive into his smash cake, or playing with his new toys and his friends were all special moments that made the celebration unforgettable. It was a great way to celebrate my baby’s first year.

Here’s to many more milestones, fun themes, and celebrations to come!The birthday boy was dressed for the occasion in a special racer suit, and the whole setup made it feel like we had stepped into a mini raceway right at home!