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AIBU?

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Original poster

Child’s first birthday

33 replies

ISO3456 · 23/01/2026 19:30

Thoughts on having a ‘party’ for Childs first birthday at a social club.

would be both our family’s (1 set live close, 1 set 2.5 hours away so would need hotels which is close by to venue) and friends (there’s about 6/7 baby under 2)

Thinking pies & curry from local bakery & maybe soft play setup for the kids.

Not costed up but recon:
room hire £75
soft play £150
pies/curry £100
ballon’s and decs £150
maybe missing things, if I have let me know

Partner thinks its pointless as baby is 1, clingy to mum/dad & grandparents & doesn’t have a clue what’s going on so reckons we go on holiday instead with the money (last one before maternity ends)
Or invest the money in child’s ISA (we’re trying to set our child up so put child benefit in his ISA)

thoughts?

YABU - 1st birthday party
YANBU - Holiday/invest

OP posts:
Moveoverdarlin · 23/01/2026 19:36

ISO3456 · 23/01/2026 19:34

Think a balloon arch is £150 these days

Show quote history

I ordered one off Amazon - was about £6. Took me a good hour or so though. Looked amazing but you’d need a pump (£10 from Home Bargains).

cariadlet · 23/01/2026 19:36

We just had grandparents round for a cup of tea and a piece of birthday cake. That seemed plenty as dd didn't have a clue that it was her 1st birthday.

Original poster
ISO3456 · 23/01/2026 19:35

TheCurious0range · 23/01/2026 19:33

No one is going to pay for hotels for a 1 year old's birthday, also curry in a social club sounds like an adult party. Have a simple sandwiches and cake at home let people drop in as and when they want. Save the budget for a hall bouncy castle party their reception year. IME that's when the biggest parties happen because friendships are not solidly formed for smaller group choices

It’d be family, they would as they’re well off & do it for other parties. Big family dotted over the country. A few have motorhomes so could stay nearby too

OP posts:
Original poster
ISO3456 · 23/01/2026 19:34

TestingTestingWonTooFree · 23/01/2026 19:33

The first birthday party (and a lot of Christenings) are a chance to celebrate getting through the year. If you’d like to do that, crack on. If a holiday would be more enjoyable, do that. I wouldn’t spend £150 on decorations.

Think a balloon arch is £150 these days

OP posts:
TheCurious0range · 23/01/2026 19:33

No one is going to pay for hotels for a 1 year old's birthday, also curry in a social club sounds like an adult party. Have a simple sandwiches and cake at home let people drop in as and when they want. Save the budget for a hall bouncy castle party their reception year. IME that's when the biggest parties happen because friendships are not solidly formed for smaller group choices

TestingTestingWonTooFree · 23/01/2026 19:33

The first birthday party (and a lot of Christenings) are a chance to celebrate getting through the year. If you’d like to do that, crack on. If a holiday would be more enjoyable, do that. I wouldn’t spend £150 on decorations.

NuffSaidSam · 23/01/2026 19:33

Your partner is right that the baby won't know or care or remember. A first birthday celebration is very much for the parents, a celebration of keeping them alive for a whole year!

If you want a party, then have one. It's not a waste of money if it'll make you really happy. If you're doing it for the baby's sake, then it's a complete and utter waste of money.

If I were you I'd have a smaller party at home with a MUCH smaller budget and then have a holiday.

Swaytheboat · 23/01/2026 19:32

Well it will absolutely be very overwhelming for the baby who may spend a decent chunk of it crying, or decide that their nap schedule has changed and they are cranky AF. I'd say you also need to factor in drinks and I think you're under budgeting for pies if you're buying them in. I wouldn't bother personally, we just went on a family day out to a farm for my little ones 1st birthday which was nice.