Baby's first birthday - what did you do?

[JourneyOfSelfImprovement]

My DD turns one next month and I'm torn between whether or not to plan anything.
I don't want anything OTT as she has no idea, but at the same time I don't want to just let the day go by 🤷‍♀️
What did you do for your LO's birthday? I'm thinking maybe a trip to the local park with her big sister and DH on the weekend and maybe a tea party on the day for anyone who wants to drop by?

Sounds ideal.

We planned a biggish party, but then had a series of illnesses. In the end I just invited a few friends with babies round to the park for chocolate cake and a play. It was perfect!

First child- large garden party with lots of friends and family. On day trip to the zoo. Way too many presents!

Second child- party at home with a few friends and family. Prob go to aquarium on day. A few presents.

That sounds great . Dd1 we went to soft play with family and had a little party at home for her little friends from baby groups . Dd2 we went to zoo and had a bbq for friends /family .

Pretty much what we did. DD has just turned 1 and I’d just baked and people called in as and when. Did a cake with candles at tea time and said if people wanted to come they could but not a fancy formal party or anything.

DS was born in July so we had a big BBQ with both families on the Weekend before. He shares his birthday with my sister-in-law so went out for lunch and then to the beach on the day but was following her plans

We've always kept 1st birthdays low key, because as you say, they don't remember or appreciate them. So along the lines family round for a cup of tea and slice of cake. Then a day out to the aquarium just me, DH and the kids.

My DS week be one around Christmas so I'm just planning on having afternoon tea at home and whichever relatives want to come, can. I'm not expecting friends to pop over at such a busy time!

We took them to the Sealife Centre. Babies seem to like the lights and watching the fish. DD1 also enjoyed it when we took DD2. For DD1, we invited family round on the nearest weekend and had some food and a cake. DD2's first birthday was at the same time as my sister's significant birthday so they shared a family party.

Me and dh took ds to the aquarium and had lunch out. No other celebrations. We didn't have baby group friends and we aren't close to family really.

We went to the park and had a little cake. We made him a birthday crown and invited two friends who also had kids of around the same age. He got a few little presents to unwrap which he enjoyed.. the wrapping paper more than the gifts Haha!
It was really nice. Dont see the point in these massive extravaganzas some people go in for... more stressful than fun and good memories I reckon!

Went OTT with a massive party for 100 people.
In my defence we did that instead of a christening and had spent many years in ivf so we just really wanted to celebrate that we finally had children!

Small family party at home. Caterpillar chocolate cake.

Day at the zoo, just me & DH. Didn't go down well in some quarters

We (I) hired a hall and invited family and friends. Hired soft play for the 6-7 little ones. Did own catering etc. I was SO glad I did....as now I dorm have to go all out for next few birthdays haha. I was still on mat leave so it was a lovely little project for me. Now back at work this year, still sleep deprived......her second birthday will be at home! Haha.

For our eldest we went to the zoo, just the 3 of us. For our youngest we had a small party in our house with local mum friends.

DS is 1 in June and I’m planning a garden brunch party for about 20 people but it took 7 years and 3 ivf cycles to conceive him and we want to celebrate! I have hand made the invites as well and have a full Pinterest board 😊

A small family party. It was for the grandparents rather than my child.

Not much. Took her to the park in the morning, a pizza with BILs and SILs in the evening.
People go birthdayzilla and it's ridiculous. Kid will be asleep, feeding or fractious for most of it. I wouldn't want to force people into participating in that tbh.
PS most people go "oh ffs" when invited to an OTT kids' birthday. Especially one the kid won't even remember participating in.

Tea and cake at home with family. Same with his 2nd birthday. And his 3rd. And his 4th. 5th and 6th at a jungle gym type thing with the whole class, 7th last year with 4 friends bowling

Low-key, cheap AF. Much fun had by all.

We had a small family party at my in-laws house.

I just had my youngest son’s first birthday on Friday. We just had my mum and mil pop over. He had a few presents, spent £40 and some fairy cakes. Yesterday we met his cousins at soft play. It did not seem worth it to do a lot and overwhelm him or to spend a lot.

We had getting onto 100 people and a house party! Our friend ran the bbq, everyone contributed food, was amazing.