(Family Features) - A child's first birthday is a milestone. While it might not be remembered by the child, parents, grandparents, older siblings and other family and friends will treasure the celebration for years to come.

Photos and/or videos of the day will become cherished family mementos that will eventually be shared with the birthday boy or girl. Whether you make it simple - a cake or cupcakes with pre-made decorations - or an elaborate themed party, the highlight of the day will be watching the little one dive into the cake.

The cake experts at Wilton have hundreds of ideas for creating fantastic first birthday parties. For something simple, bake "Take One Cupcakes" in re-usable, easy to clean, silicone baking cups. Spatula ice them with white icing, then top with cut-out cookies in the shape of a number "one." Ice the cookies with colors to coordinate with the baking cups, and pipe dots for decoration. To save time, use the #1 candle instead of the cookie.

Other theme ideas ... princesses and palaces, pirate ships and treasure chests, mischievous monkeys in the jungle, even Noah's ark ... are detailed in the First Birthday Bash section of the Wilton 2010 Yearbook of Cake Decorating. Step-by-step instructions guide even a novice decorator to dazzling results.

For more first birthday party ideas, tips and supplies for baking, decorating and celebrating any occasion, or to share your family's first birthday photos and memories, visit www.wilton.com/celebrations/1st-Birthday.

SOURCE:
Wilton Industries, Inc.

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