Low key first birthday... <tiptoes into topic>

[Djembe]

So I'm hosting DS's first birthday at my far-too-small house. About 25 adults and 8 babies squished into my living room. It will undoubtedly be a disaster. Please give me your top tip for stress-free hosting?!

I think people have high expectations of a first birthday party nowadays but this is going to have er a cake, some nibbly bits and some fizzy wine. Maybe some balloons?

Low-key tips appreciated!

[TiddlyOmPomPom]

That's a lot of people, yikes!

I think the main thing is to have everything in one place so you don't have to go back and forth to the kitchen, stepping over babies and parents on the way!

So, have one table set to the side with the cake, food and drinks on, with jugs of water, glasses etc, and plenty of napkins.
Have several rolls of kitchen roll under the table to mop up the inevitable spillages.

If possible, move out out any surplus furniture (tv, coffee table etc) and things on shelves/window sills, so that there is room to people to sit on the floor when you run out of seats, and put drinks/food down (out of baby reach) while they juggle small people.

See if you can put some extra floor cushions/beanbags down.
Make sure people don't stay too long - a couple of hours is plenty!

If you can be arsed, it'll look more 'together' and less chaotic if you can colour theme it - whatever your decor is, go with that rather than a separate party theme as such. So if your living room is neutral with red cushions, get red paper napkins, put some red bunting on the edge of the cake table, red balloons etc etc. and stick with plain/white bowls/plates.

Hope this is helpful, it really is low key I promise, as long as you sit down for half an hour to plan it in full now! Last minute stuff is bloody stressful. :)