First Birthday Themes for Girls: 8 Ideas from Princess to Unicorn

Turning one is a party for the grown-ups as much as for the baby. She will not remember the decorations, but you will look at the photos for years. That makes a theme useful: it gives you a color palette, a cake idea and a reason for every balloon. Here are eight first birthday themes for girls that are easy to pull off at home, with a few notes on what works for a one-year-old and what she can wear.

How to choose a theme for a one-year-old

• Start with a color, not a character. At one, she does not have a favorite movie yet. Two or three colors are enough to tie the cake, balloons and outfit together.
• Think about the photos. Soft, light backdrops and one bold accent color look best in pictures. Very busy prints can fight with the cake and the dress.
• Plan around her nap. A party that starts after a good nap is a happier party. An hour and a half to two hours is plenty.
• Leave room for the cake smash. If you are planning one, pick a theme that also works for the smash cake and keep a second outfit nearby. Our cake smash ideas for a baby girl cover the setup at home.

8 first birthday themes for girls

1. Princess party

Blush pink, gold and white, a small crown for the birthday girl and a castle cake or a simple tiered cake with gold sprinkles. Guests can wear tiaras, and a gold "ONE" balloon finishes the backdrop. For the dress, a sparkly or satin look fits the theme. The Victoria dress has a satin bodice and a full fringe skirt, and the Rosa Powder dress is champagne and gold brocade with rosettes on the shoulders. Both come in 1Y.

2. Fairy garden

Moss green, lilac and soft pink, with paper butterflies, little mushrooms and fairy lights. Wings for the older guests make great photos. Our fairy themed party ideas cover decorations and games in more detail, and the fairy dresses for girls collection has tulle styles in fairy colors.

3. Our little flower

A garden party built around fresh or paper flowers: a flower wall behind the high chair, a floral crown and a cake with pressed edible flowers. White, cream and one flower color keep it soft. The Elena dress has 3D flowers around the V-neck and a full fringe skirt, which suits this theme well.

4. Unicorns and rainbows

Pastel rainbow balloons, a unicorn horn on the cake and a little glitter on the table. This is one of the easiest themes to find decorations for. The rainbow unicorn tutu dress has a tiered rainbow skirt and puff sleeves with feathers. For more choices, see our unicorn dresses.

5. Sweet one

Donuts, ice cream cones and candy-colored balloons, with "Sweet One" on the banner. A donut wall is cheap to make and the guests love it. Bright pink works well here. The Diana fuchsia tutu dress has a tiered tulle skirt and comes with a matching hair accessory.

6. Berry first birthday

Strawberries everywhere: red and white gingham, a strawberry cake and a fruit table the adults will actually eat. Keep the outfit white or soft pink so the red stays on the table. Cut strawberries into small pieces for little guests.

7. Twinkle twinkle little star

Gold and silver stars, white balloons and the lullaby she already knows. It works for an evening party with string lights. A white dress fits the palette, like the Star baby dress with a crystal star brooch and feathers on the skirt.

8. Winter ONEderland

For a December, January or February birthday: snowflakes, white and silver, and hot cocoa for the grown-ups. Plan for tights and a cardigan over a party dress. Our winter first birthday outfit ideas have more tips for cold-weather parties.

Cake, food and favors

Give her a small cake of her own for the photos and serve cupcakes or a sheet cake to the guests. For finger food, small pieces of fruit, cheese and crackers work for babies and adults alike. Ask about allergies when guests reply. For favors, skip the candy: bubbles, a board book or a small bath toy are things families use.

What should she wear?

Choose a dress she can sit, crawl and be held in. A knee-length skirt is easier than a long gown at this age, and a soft lining makes a difference over a long afternoon. Bring a second outfit for after the cake. If you need more help, our guide on what a baby girl should wear for her first birthday covers fabrics, sizes and shoes.

Our dresses for one-year-olds come in 1Y and baby sizes such as 9-12 M. If she is between sizes, choose the larger one. Each product page shows the sizes currently in stock.

Frequently asked questions

What is the most popular first birthday theme for a girl?

Princess, fairy, floral and unicorn themes are among the most common because decorations are easy to find and the colors photograph well. A simple color theme, such as pink and gold, works just as well.

Do you need a theme for a first birthday?

No, but a theme makes planning easier. Pick two or three colors and use them for the cake, balloons and outfit, and the party will look put together.

How long should a first birthday party be?

About an hour and a half to two hours. Plan it around her nap so she is rested when guests arrive.

When should I order her party dress?

Orders ship the next business day from Lafayette, California and arrive within 1–3 business days in the US. Ordering a week or two ahead leaves time to try it on.

Find her outfit in our first birthday dresses collection.