first birthday- what to do?

[Debra1981]

DD is 1 in 3 weeks, my dad, my sis and her DS2 all have birthdays that weekend too (little boy will be 7) so sis and family are travelling from out of region for a kind of joint birthday tea party 2 days later. Obviously on DD's actual birthday I will try to make her feel a bit special and she will have her grandparents around her anyway, but I don't want to go to a load of effort and expense for anything I don't think she will really appreciate, and don't have loads of room anyway. However, we go to Gymbabes with a baby a couple of weeks younger than DD whose grandparents live across the road, and his mummy seems bent on something a bit more frivolous, been talking about having a party with 'a few' of his friends from nursery, who I think are mostly toddlers (DD still happy on knees and elbows), and am kinda expecting an invite for DD too. She's much more of a 'do-er' (baking, arts 'n' crafts etc., just generally much more organised!) than me. But because she's been hyping it up i feel i ought to invite them over for DD's birthday too, but I wouldn't know what to do with them- can't do party games yet, and anyway, there's only one other baby (about 6-7 months now i think) we really know locally so it wouldn't be much of a 'party'! How about inviting them over for a play with DD's new toys and a cuppa for the mums and send away with a balloon? or should i do more? do you have any tips on cheap fun activities that i could do with them? i was thinking of getting the Gymbabes CD to put on and join in with a couple maybe cos they do love it, but think that could be a bit contrived and naff? or am i worrying about this too much??!

[ChipButty]

I would just have a small family gathering to celebrate your child's first year. It's pointless to go to great trouble and expense as your DC will not remember anything about it! Do what YOU want, not what you think other people would expect you to do.

[PregnantGrrrl]

it's my DS's in a few weeks. we're having s small birthday tea with grandparents and aunts/uncles invited in the early afternoon. it's more for our benefit than his- it's like any other day to him really, he'll just like the visitors.

[UniSarah]

your worrying too much. do what you want to do and if thats nothing, fine, do nothing. No one will be offended over a 1st birthday non party.

[HonoriaGlossop]

I agree, don't worry about inviting others. My group of mum friends all (except one) just had a family gathering for the first birthday; it seems to be the thing most people do, anyway and I think a family celebration is what you want, not a 'party', so go with that and have a lovely day.

[Debra1981]

Thank you all you have reassured me that it's ok to do little for the first one. she'll get plenty of pressies anyway, which should keep her busy! and i know that she'll let me know if she wants a party when she's older!