Themes are normally picked way ahead of time and will help with finding decorations to buy and what food to prepare.
Although theme parties may vary according to the toddler’s taste, but the most recent trend found in Springs are Tweety and Mickey Mouse.
According to Shannon Spero, co-owner of a party shop, the parents of one-year-olds visit her shop to buy plates, cold drink glasses, serviettes, invites and everything else that goes with it.
She says the parents of children this age, go all out with the theme, cupcakes and rice paper pictures of the child.
Magda Pretorius, a Casseldale resident, likes the idea of the rice paper on a cake.
She says they have chosen Mickey Mouse for her one-year-old boy, Wiandre.
“He loves watching Mickey Mouse on TV and therefore he made my choice so much easier,” she says.
Her cousin Melissa Nel’s one-year-old boy loved watching Finding Nemo instead.
Melissa says she had no choice than to choose a Nemo theme for him which included cake.
“The one-year-old girls prefer Minnie Mouse and it seems to be very popular,” says Shannon.
It is believed there is a one year gap as the next popular party is for a three-year-old.
She says the boys love cars and planes for a theme and even point it out when they are visiting with their parents.
Barbie was and still is a very popular theme, however, a new trend is Sofia the First.
Shannon says this came from nowhere and they cannot keep up with stock of this new cartoon character.
Another jump between ages takes place and the next favourite birthday party is for six-year-olds.
Magda says Spiderman might be old-fashioned to grown-ups, but the children still love it.
According to Shannon the Ninja Turtles are other characters boys of this age adore, however, the girls of the same age prefer dress-up parties.
“This seems to be quite an age nowadays, as the girls like the Hawaiian theme, to dress-up in hoola-hoops, the flowers and to have a full party,” she says.
The eight- to 13-year-old boys become more aware of heroic characters.
They prefer Hulk, Thor, Spiderman and Superman, but the girls continue to dress-up without any specific theme but still like Hawaiian.
“When children are getting older than 13 they reach puberty and change their ideas of having a party overnight,” she adds.
No matter what the choice of the child, their favourite characters or heroes will always be the first choice for a themed birthday party.
