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Original poster

1st birthday help

18 replies

yevans · 13/09/2020 16:55

My DD is turning 1 soon and as much as I'm not massively into big things for babies, I would like to do some sort of decorating/fuss for her.

Only problem is, I can't stand all the waste that goes with balloons, decorations etc.

Does anyone have any good ideas for how to make her day special and decorate without filling it with single use plastics and tat?

OP posts:
Ffsnosexallowed · 13/09/2020 16:57

She's one. With the greatest respect she wont have a clue. Buy yourself a good bottle of wine and make it nice for you.

OwlBasket · 13/09/2020 17:12

No, she won’t have a clue but I enjoyed celebrating anyway.

Make some fab bunting, meters and meters of it. It’ll give you years of pleasure. I made ours from felt and bias band which was pricey but means minimal faffing with hemming.

OwlBasket · 13/09/2020 17:14

I went with a range of bright colours rather than a ‘girly theme’ (DC1 is a girl) and we use them for all family birthdays as well as to decorate the tent when we go camping. DC1 is 13 now so certainly money well spent.

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Original poster
yevans · 13/09/2020 17:17

@Ffsnosexallowed I'll have a clue though! Sorry if I'm a bit much of a first time mum but your first baby only turns one once. If I don't do anything I'll regret it.

OP posts:
Original poster
yevans · 13/09/2020 17:18

Good idea for reusable bunting, thanks!

OP posts:
qwertypie · 13/09/2020 17:19

We have fabric bunting from our wedding that we put up every year for birthdays. This year, I am also thinking of getting some reusable streamers or something to decorate my son's bedroom doorway with.

I think it's nice to start these little traditions, even if the birthday child won't remember or understand at age 1. Smile

Flynn999 · 13/09/2020 17:20

We have cardboard birthday decorations such as banner/candles etc which have been used for the past 3 birthdays. Alternatively if you are crafty make bunting using old baby grows and then Sew on ‘happy birthday’ made out of fabric (again you can use baby grows etc). You can also reuse

If you look on amazon I know they do balloons that you can deflate and then re-inflate the next year.

If your concerned about single use items can you offset that by buying second hand toys etc?

OwlBasket · 13/09/2020 17:22

TBH I think celebrating the first birthday is a really thing, it seems to help a lot of women process the birth and early baby days as well. DC haven’t the foggiest but it’s a valuable milestone for us as women and mothers regardless.

OwlBasket · 13/09/2020 17:23

really valuable thing

Original poster
yevans · 13/09/2020 17:25

@Flynn999 mind me asking how the cardboard candles work?.. do they not just go soggy in the cake Grin

I've managed to pick up some decent presents secondhand for her which I'm really happy about and if anyone has asked for ideas for presents I've tried to give wooden toy ideas etc

OP posts:
FrancesHaHa · 13/09/2020 17:27

First birthdays are for the parents really, but not in a bad way - why shouldn't you celebrate the end of the first year of your baby's life?

We have decorations we use every year. I have some from Rex London which are made of card and string, which were cheap in the sale one year.

Original poster
yevans · 13/09/2020 17:28

@OwlBasket I think this is it. It's as much a celebration for us surviving I think!! Plus it will be nice to look back on the photos when we're old and they're all grown up

OP posts:
OverTheRainbow88 · 13/09/2020 17:31

You can get reusable balloons that you blow up using a straw, and once done can pass them on to a friend or reuse the next year.

BexR · 13/09/2020 17:35

I'm quite tat heavy I'm afraid. I love a number helium balloon. Kids love them and great for photos.

I do reuse the happy birthday banners.

I also have a wooden birthday train ornament where you stick the number in the carriage.

Definitely celebrate 1st birthdays, it's for the whole family and is lovely to look back on.

JustSaying101 · 13/09/2020 18:34

Another shout for bunting here and also there are quite a few biodegradable streamers on the market that are recyclable or you can reuse for craft projects, etc. Enjoy your celebrations 😊

Polnm · 13/09/2020 18:38

A helium balloon in a wrapped cardboard box is the best ever 1st birthday gift. Babies love them, some can be refilled I think

PoodleMoth · 13/09/2020 18:42

As well as bunting you could get a birthday rosette, to use as a badge each year as long as you don't put number on and don't choose fabric that is too babyish. Lucy Made Me do lovely ones (you can find them on Facebook or instagram)

Metallicalover · 13/09/2020 20:03

I bought some keepsakes for her birthday, so bunting that was made of photographs from each month since she was born. A couple of personalised banners that said '...... first birthday' and a cake decoration that said '..... is one' x

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