When should you send first birthday invitations?

Three to four weeks before the party. Make it five or six if grandparents are travelling, or if the party falls near Christmas or in the summer holidays, when diaries fill up early.

Can I add a photo to a first birthday invitation?

Yes. On designs with a photo frame, upload your picture, drag it to choose what shows and zoom in. The proof check reminds you if a frame is still empty before you download.

Can guests reply online?

Yes. Send the invitation as a link from the editor, and guests see the details, add the party to their calendar and reply yes, no or maybe with how many are coming. You get an email with each reply.

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First birthday invitations

One whole year deserves a party. Choose a first birthday invitation as bright or as gentle as you like: a Wild One safari, Oneder the sea, a Winter ONEderland hare, a bee-day, ducklings on the pond, a dinosaur hatching, stacking rings from the toy box or a sky full of hot air balloons.

Plenty have a frame for a favourite photo from the year. Add your little one’s name, the time and the place, then print a few for the grandparents and send the image to the baby group chat.

Your first design is free with an account. After that it’s 99p a design, or £5 a month for every design. A ready-made Canva invitation template on Etsy is usually £6 to £10. See how we compare

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First birthday invitations to personalise 28

What to put on a first birthday invitation

Your baby’s name and “is turning one” or “1st birthday”: the “st” sits raised as you type, as it would in print.
The date, a start and finish time, and the address. Two hours is plenty for a room of one-year-olds, and late morning or after the afternoon nap tends to work best.
Who to reply to and by when. A mobile number gets more replies than an email.
What other parents need to know: whether siblings are welcome, where to leave buggies, or that it’s in the garden, so bring a coat.
No presents, please? Say it kindly: “Your company is the only gift we need.”

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Questions about first birthday invitations

When should you send first birthday invitations?: Three to four weeks before the party. Make it five or six if grandparents are travelling, or if the party falls near Christmas or in the summer holidays, when diaries fill up early.
Can I add a photo to a first birthday invitation?: Yes. On designs with a photo frame, upload your picture, drag it to choose what shows and zoom in. The proof check reminds you if a frame is still empty before you download.
Can guests reply online?: Yes. Send the invitation as a link from the editor, and guests see the details, add the party to their calendar and reply yes, no or maybe with how many are coming. You get an email with each reply.