Berry first birthday: strawberry themed invitation and a bowl of strawberries on the side

Baby’s first birthday is a huge milestone that deserves an extra special celebration. Sure, there are plenty of 1st birthday theme ideas out there. But one of the sweetest of all is a berry first birthday!

To help you plan the best berry-themed party for your one-year-old, we’re sharing our top crop of berry first birthday party ideas, from picking your invitations to planting (er, planning) the decor and menu.

What’s a Berry First Birthday?

A berry first birthday is an adorable way to celebrate a child’s very first birthday. This first birthday theme takes inspiration from berries to add a fun, fruity, and flavorful take on a traditional 1st birthday party.

Many berry first birthdays feature strawberries as the main focus, but you can lean into other berries to suit your taste — think blueberries, blackberries, cranberries, raspberries, acai berries, or a combination of berries! Once you’ve made your selection, it’s easy to choose a matching color scheme for your party decor, invitations, menu, and more.

11 Adorable Ideas for a Berry First Birthday Party

Berry first birthday: baby getting berries from her cake

You can bring this theme to life in so many wonderful ways. From berry-themed tableware to a delicious fruit-inspired menu, here are 11 ideas for the best first birthday party ever.

1. Berry-Inspired Color Scheme

It’s not a sweet strawberry party without a color scheme to match. Take inspiration from strawberries, blueberries, or your berry of choice when it comes to your party colors. Use them throughout your party decor, centerpieces, cake, and invitations for a more cohesive look.

Reds, pinks, purples, and blues are obvious winners when it comes to color for your berry 1st birthday decor and accessories. Whether you choose strawberry birthday decorations or another berry, it’s easy to complement your color palette with greens and soft blues to mimic the colors of nature, or white and beige to provide a subtle contrast.

2. Berry Sweet First Birthday Party Invitations

Berry Excited Invitation

Design: Paper Raven Co.

There’s nothing sweeter than a berry birthday party invite that instantly lets your guests in on the theme. At Greenvelope, we have a wonderful selection of kids birthday party invitations, with something to suit every birthday party theme — including this Berry Excited invitation. Choose your primary colors, customize the layout and fonts, then add your party details to transform this template into a beautiful design of your own.

3. Berry Theme Balloon Garland

Balloon garlands remain a popular party decor item, and it’s no surprise why. DIY a giant version to welcome your guests in, or string strawberry-shaped balloons together for a garland decoration inside your party venue.

This versatile decor idea only needs a handful of birthday party supplies — some balloons that match your color scheme, and string to create the garland. It takes some time and effort to blow up the balloons and assemble, but it’ll be well worth it for the fabulous decor and photo opps.

4. Themed Tableware

For a berry 1st birthday, invest in some berry-themed tableware. It’s a simple way to continue the theme right across the whole event, and create a fun backdrop for when your guests are served tasty birthday cake.

Seek out paper cups, paper plates, napkins, and straws with a cute strawberry print. Pair with a polka dot or gingham tablecloth for the ultimate in sweet picnic chic.

5. Berry Cute Party Outfit

One of the hallmarks of a traditional berry first birthday party is a themed party outfit. This is such a sweet idea for both baby girls and boys, and it’s fun shopping for the perfect outfit.

Choose a cute strawberry-themed dress, romper, or shirt and shorts combo for your little one. Add matching socks or shoes, or a soft headband with a lovely berry-themed print to complete the look.

6. Berry-Inspired Drinks and Snacks

Kids dipping their food in a chocolate fountain

With a berry first birthday theme, you can’t go wrong with showcasing a delicious array of fresh berries and berry-flavored treats.

Offer fresh fruit cut into child-safe portions. For older kids, you could even offer a chocolate fondue station with strawberry fruit kebabs. Serve berry-flavored sparkling water and homemade blueberry lemonade alongside easy-to-make savory bites. Create a sweet dessert table with cupcakes, cookies, and donuts that complement your birthday party theme.

7. Fruity Photo Backdrop

Every party needs a dedicated photo area and it doesn’t take much to make it happen. Rather than paying for a pricey photo booth, consider creating a large fruit-themed backdrop on a wall instead. Hang a “Sweet One Birthday” banner or other printable “Happy Birthday” banner, then add some balloons and strawberry party decorations. 

You could also stage a DIY cake smash moment. Simply hang a high chair banner above the birthday boy or girl and capture the memories as they dig into their sweet treat.

8. Berry-Themed Photo Garland

For a sweet birthday memento, create a photo garland from all the memories of your baby’s first year. Not only is this a lovely berry birthday decoration idea, but it’s also something you can keep hold of in a memory box.

Print out photos of your baby’s journey thus far — from your first sonogram, to your baby shower, to their arrival, and beyond. Hang these images on garland string with berry-shaped clips, or alternate photos and strawberry cutouts to add a charming and personal touch to your party decor.

9. Berrylicious Birthday Cake

Birthday cake and desserts on a table

There’s something so special about that first birthday cake. Whether you go with a strawberry cake or a different flavor with a themed cake topper, it’s the perfect way to tie the theme into the celebration.

Ask your local bakery to create a berry-themed masterpiece, or opt for a homemade vanilla cake with strawberry icing. Whatever you choose, everyone’s face will light up as you sing “happy birthday” to the little guest of honor.

10. Berry-Inspired Party Favors

When it’s time to wave goodbye to your little (and not-so-little) party guests, send them home with a treat to remind them of your strawberry theme party.

Choose a party favor to suit the ages of your guests. Mini cupcakes, cake pops, and cookies are always a popular choice. Mini pots of strawberry jam or cream tea kits are a thoughtful idea for your older guests.

11. Themed Thank You Notes

While your one-year-old can’t write thank you notes for their berry 1st birthday, it’s a tradition that you could start for them to continue as they grow older. Thank you notes for children’s birthday parties aren’t a necessity, but it’s a sweet way to express your gratitude to loved ones.

Choose one of our thank you cards and add a birthday photo from the big day. Write a heartfelt thank you message, and share how excited your little one will be to enjoy their gift. With Greenvelope’s online cards, it’s easy to create and send your notes all at once, no matter where your guests are.

Plan the Sweetest Berry First Birthday Ever

Turning one is a big moment in life — although it’s more about the parents celebrating than the little one! Still, it’s wonderful to commemorate this very special occasion. With that in mind, use these ideas to help you plan the berry first birthday of your dreams.

Get your guests onboard with the theme right from the start with one of our strawberry-themed invites. Choose the design you love most, customize to suit your event details, then send to your loved ones who are sure to delight with you and your little one.