Your baby's 1st birthday party is a special event that will never be duplicated. You want everything to be perfect for his very first party. You've carefully planned the details from the invitation to the cake. But do you really need to include party favors in his celebration? Here are some questions with answers to help you decide.

Are 1st birthday party favors really necessary?

The answer, of course, is no. You don't have to provide party favors on this occasion. When your child is having his seventh birthday party, you will probably be compelled to send each of his friends home with a goody bag, or risk embarrassing him. And wedding favors are practically etiquette. But when your child is turning one, it is not essential. If you're trying to simplify and cut costs, you may decide to skip them.

Is there any reason to give party favors for a first birthday?

Well, party favors are basically little gifts you give to your guests as a "thank you". It's a thoughtful way to express what they mean to you and your family. Since most of your guests at your one year old's party will be adults, they might appreciate a token of your affection.

What kind of 1st birthday party favors could I give to the grown-ups?

Grandparents, aunts and uncles, friends and neighbors would all treasure anything that contained a photo of your baby. After all, the reason they are all gathered around on his special day is to honor him. So, you can send them home with a small framed photo of your little one. You can order custom, personalized photo magnets, bookmarks, keychains, mini notebooks and candy bars wrappers. If you're looking to spend a little more money, there are photo mugs, t-shirts and mousepads available. There are a lot of options in photo favors.

What if there will be other babies or toddlers at the party?

Bath toys are great party favors for infants and toddlers. You can't go wrong with little stuffed animals. Chunky crayons, coloring books and story books are also good. Just make sure, when you're giving out favors to any child under three years old, that it isn't a potential choking hazard. Double-check that the favor is at least the size of an adult fist, with no small removable parts. If you have a mixed group, you might decide to give out two kinds of favors. The babies could get a rattle and the slightly older children could get crayons and a coloring book.

What if I'm trying to keep costs down, but still would like to give out party favors?

Custom, personalized photo favors are surprisingly affordable when ordered online. For example, you should be able to get a photo magnet featuring your baby and his name, first birthday and date for under $2 each. There are a large variety of items available in many designs in all price ranges. So browse websites until you find a company that offers just the right item to showcase your little one.

You can buy small toys in bulk from party stores, Oriental Trading and on the internet. Or you can find inexpensive individual items in dollar stores, close-out stores or your local Wal-Mart. You should never have to spend more than a couple of dollars on each party favor. After all, you would be giving your guests a token. It's not necessary to break the bank.

Whether or not you decide to give out first birthday party favors for this happy occasion, is a personal choice. But if you do choose to give a small thank you to your guests, keep in mind that personalized photo favors and cool little toys are an affordable way to go. With or without party favors, your baby is going to have a great first birthday party.