Literally have no clue please help

[Wishfulmakeupping]

My dd first birthday end of jan and need some advice.
Basically never been to any 1st birthdays so wondering if I'm thinking along the right lines or not? Was thinking of hiring the small village hall and hiring soft play.

There would be about 7 mums and babies (I've met through groups etc) and a couple of friends with older babies (about 4) and 10 close family members. Does this sound like enough people? My extended family live far away wouldn't be able to travel for it.

Or should we do it at home?

Also party end of jan would you send invites before Xmas or start of jan?
Thanks

[Wishfulmakeupping]

See that's what I thought initially but there would literally be us plus my parents, sister, niece and same for oh. Can't invite grandparents or aunties/ uncles so seems to small not special enough

[babyfedleaning]

Agree with Skully. Save it for the 2nd/ 3rd birthdays and beyond. A village hall/ soft play is totally pointless at this age. Far nicer to have a buffet tea at home with those close relatives who will love to spend the time with her

[3bunnies]

For first birthdays we went to an aquarium. At that age the dc love watching fish. Also for dd1 we had a joint first with the NCT group - mums & dads and each bought something. Meant we chatted to each other rather than playing host and being cornered by great aunt Mabel. Some of them then had family parties, we went just the 3 of us to the sea life centre.

[Wishfulmakeupping]

Your all making me rethink this just seems a bit too small but maybe that would be better o don't know

[Wishfulmakeupping]

I not o

[wannabedomesticgoddess]

Both my DDs had their 1st birthday parties with family at home.

For DD1s 2nd birthday I took my 6 cousins (all under 12 at the time) to soft play.

I didn't do a village hall party until her 4th, and she invited her nursery class to that.

DD2 has only just had her 1st, and she won't be having a big one until she's at nursery!

[3bunnies]

I think the best way to think about it is from your daughter's perspective. You are probably going to spend quite a while before preparing and on the day as the hostess you will be sorting stuff out, making cups of tea talking to guests etc. All a one year old mainly wants is their mummy and daddy.

[Wishfulmakeupping]

Thinking you're all right home party it is would you keep it strictly family only? Seems a shame not to do something with her baby friends as she sees them every week maybe we could go soft play or something on another day

[3bunnies]

Do they all know each other? Why not suggest that you do a joint one? Or have them around for coffee and cake. Next year she will probably be happy with 5 friends. By the time she is 3 or 4 she will enjoy a bigger party.