First Birthday & Baptism Checklist: Everything You Need to Plan a Special Day

Your little one’s first birthday is such a special milestone, and if you’re celebrating their baptism at the same time, you have even more beautiful memories to look forward to. But between organising the church, invitations, food, decorations and outfits, it can quickly become overwhelming!

Whether you’re planning an intimate family gathering or a bigger celebration, this checklist will help you stay organised, plan ahead and enjoy the occasion without leaving everything until the last minute.

Save this checklist and tick off each task as you go!

1. Church & Baptism Arrangements

Start with the baptism arrangements, as church dates and requirements may need to be organised well in advance.

☐ Contact the church to confirm the baptism date and time.

☐ Complete the required paperwork and provide any necessary documents.

☐ Arrange a baptism preparation session if required.

☐ Choose your child’s godparents and confirm their availability.

☐ Check the church’s requirements for godparents.

☐ Choose a baptism outfit, shoes and accessories.

☐ Organise a baptism candle, towel, bib or other items required by the church.

☐ Confirm whether photography is permitted during the ceremony.

☐ Plan transport and timing between the church and celebration venue.

Helpful tip: Keep all baptism documents, certificates and special keepsakes together in one safe place so they’re easy to find on the day.

2. Guest List, Invitations & Venue

Once you’ve confirmed the date, you can start planning the celebration itself.

☐ Decide whether you’ll celebrate at home, in a hired venue, at a restaurant or outdoors.

☐ Set a realistic budget.

☐ Create your guest list.

☐ Design and send invitations with the baptism and birthday details.

☐ Set an RSVP deadline.

☐ Keep track of guest numbers and dietary requirements.

☐ Confirm venue bookings, deposits and hire arrangements.

☐ Organise tables, chairs and seating for children.

☐ Check parking and accessibility.

☐ Make a backup plan if you’re celebrating outdoors.

Helpful tip: Combining the baptism and first birthday into one celebration can help simplify planning and reduce costs, while still giving both milestones their own special moments.

3. Food, Drinks & Birthday Cake

You don’t need an elaborate menu to create a wonderful celebration. Choose food that suits your guests, your venue and the amount of preparation you want to take on.

☐ Decide whether you’ll cater, order platters or prepare food yourself.

☐ Plan the menu and estimate quantities.

☐ Organise snacks and finger foods for little ones.

☐ Check for allergies and dietary requirements.

☐ Arrange drinks, water, tea and coffee.

☐ Order the first birthday cake.

☐ Decide whether you’d like a separate baptism cake or dessert table.

☐ Purchase plates, cups, napkins, cutlery and serving utensils.

☐ Organise a cake knife, candles and a lighter.

☐ Arrange suitable food storage and eskies if needed.

Helpful tip: Choose as much make-ahead food as possible. The less you need to cook or assemble on the day, the more time you’ll have to enjoy the celebration.

4. Decorations & Party Theme

Choosing a theme early makes it easier to coordinate your invitations, cake, decorations and outfits.

Whether you prefer soft neutrals, timeless white and gold, florals or a playful first birthday theme, a few thoughtful details can bring everything together.

☐ Choose your colour palette and theme.

☐ Organise balloons, a backdrop or a welcome sign.

☐ Arrange tablecloths and table decorations.

☐ Style the cake table or dessert display.

☐ Prepare birthday and baptism signage.

☐ Decorate the highchair for birthday photos if desired.

☐ Organise flowers or centrepieces.

☐ Purchase or prepare any DIY decorations.

☐ Check delivery dates for all purchased items.

Helpful tip: You don’t need to decorate every corner. Focus on a few key areas, such as the entrance, cake table and main photo backdrop, for a beautiful result without unnecessary expense.

5. Outfits & Personal Essentials

With a baptism and birthday happening together, your little one may need more than one outfit.

☐ Choose the baptism outfit and accessories.

☐ Prepare a comfortable birthday outfit.

☐ Pack spare clothes in case of spills or accidents.

☐ Choose your own outfit and shoes.

☐ Coordinate outfits for siblings or family photos if desired.

☐ Pack nappies, wipes, tissues and a change mat.

☐ Bring a comfort item, dummy or other familiar essentials.

☐ Prepare any special family heirlooms or baptism keepsakes.

☐ Arrange haircuts or grooming appointments if needed.

Helpful tip: Pack a separate bag for the church and another for the party. This makes it much easier to find everything when you need it.

6. Photography, Entertainment & Special Moments

Your child’s first birthday and baptism are milestones you’ll want to remember for years to come.

☐ Decide whether to hire a photographer or ask a family member to take photos.

☐ Prepare a list of must-have photos.

☐ Include photos with godparents, grandparents and close family.

☐ Plan the birthday cake and candle moment.

☐ Organise age-appropriate toys or a small play area.

☐ Prepare simple activities for older children.

☐ Create a playlist if music is appropriate for your venue.

☐ Charge phones and cameras.

☐ Prepare a memory table or photo display if desired.

Helpful tip: Ask someone you trust to take responsibility for photos during key moments. You’ll be busy caring for your little one, greeting guests and enjoying the day, so having someone ready to capture those memories makes a big difference.

7. One Week Before the Celebration

With the big day approaching, focus on confirming arrangements and preparing anything you can in advance.

☐ Confirm final guest numbers.

☐ Follow up on outstanding RSVPs.

☐ Confirm the church, venue, photographer and other suppliers.

☐ Check cake and catering orders.

☐ Purchase non-perishable food and remaining supplies.

☐ Prepare decorations and signage.

☐ Finalise the schedule for the day.

☐ Confirm helpers for setup, serving and cleanup.

☐ Check the weather if celebrating outdoors.

☐ Prepare a list of items to pack.

8. The Day Before

Try to leave only the essential tasks for the morning of the celebration.

☐ Collect the cake and any outstanding orders.

☐ Prepare food that can be made ahead.

☐ Set up decorations where possible.

☐ Lay out outfits, shoes and accessories.

☐ Pack the church bag and party bag.

☐ Check the baptism documents and required items.

☐ Charge phones and cameras.

☐ Confirm arrival times with anyone helping.

☐ Get as much rest as possible.

9. On the Day

The most important thing is to enjoy the day with your family. A simple schedule can help everything run smoothly without making the celebration feel rushed.

☐ Allow plenty of time to get your little one dressed and ready.

☐ Check that the baptism bag and documents are packed.

☐ Arrive at the church with time to spare.

☐ Take family photos and photos with the godparents.

☐ Travel to the celebration venue.

☐ Welcome guests and enjoy the food.

☐ Capture the birthday cake and candle moment.

☐ Make time for photos and special family moments.

☐ Arrange cleanup and pack away gifts and keepsakes.

10. After the Celebration

Once the festivities are over, there are just a few final things to take care of.

☐ Collect gifts, cards and personal belongings.

☐ Return hired equipment and borrowed items.

☐ Store leftover food safely.

☐ Send thank-you messages to guests and godparents.

☐ Share photos with family and friends.

☐ Store the baptism certificate and keepsakes somewhere safe.

Your Celebration, Your Way

Planning your little one’s first birthday and baptism can feel like a lot to organise, especially when you’re already juggling the everyday demands of parenthood. Remember that you don’t need to create a perfect celebration for it to be meaningful.

Focus on what matters most to your family, set a budget that feels comfortable, ask for help where you can and give yourself permission to keep things simple.

Your little one won’t remember whether the decorations were perfect or whether every detail went to plan. What matters is celebrating this special milestone surrounded by the people who love them.

Save this checklist, tick off each task as you go, and enjoy celebrating your little one’s very special day!

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