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Original poster

Baby's first birthday - what did you do?

42 replies

tigerbreadandtea · 04/09/2021 09:17

My baby will be one in a couple of months and a couple of people keep putting pressure on me to have a big party and invite loads of people. I was thinking more just a celebration with immediate family. It's getting on my nerves to be honest!

OP posts:
TheDistortion · 04/09/2021 09:19

We hired a room in a museum and had a big party and invited loads of people. For me it was the equivalent of a Christening, which we didn’t have. A chance to get extended family together.
However there’s no reason you have to do that if you don’t want to!

Findahouse21 · 04/09/2021 09:21

Dd1 we went to a local farm with immediate family. Dd2 we had a couple of garden visits (lockdown). Can't lie, I'm planning a big party for her 2nd because her first birthday made ne so sad

NuffSaidSam · 04/09/2021 09:22

Some people will have a big party. Most people won't.

Do what suits you, because it's really your party not your baby's, they're not going to appreciate it now or remember it in the future. It's your 'surviving one year of parenting' celebration, do what you want.

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JennaPenna · 04/09/2021 09:22

We just had immediate family for first birthday, tea party, balloons and decs.
I didn't see the need to have a load of people there tbh!
We had a lovely time!

AnneLovesGilbert · 04/09/2021 09:23

It was in the first lockdown so was just us and my DSC. It was a bit crap but DD liked her presents, and the wrapping paper even more Grin

Do what you like, it’s your baby and they have simple needs. A massive party will be a lot of work and expense so while it’s nice they want to celebrate with you it’s not an obligation to go along with it.

WhyOhWhyOhWhyyyy · 04/09/2021 09:25

We didn’t have much choice because it was during covid, just after first lockdown so we couldn’t invite anyone else. So we went to a little zoo farm just me, DD and DH. It was such a lovely day taking her to see the animals and stopping for a picnic and some cake, she really enjoyed herself. At the time I was upset that we couldn’t have a big party but I don’t think a 1 year old wants that.
We had the party for her 2nd birthday instead and she loved it.

Ricekrispie22 · 04/09/2021 09:28

We had a small, low-key picnic and then Skyped (Zoom wasn’t a thing then) a few family members who couldn’t come but wanted to sing happy birthday.

Original poster
tigerbreadandtea · 04/09/2021 09:29

Yeh I think it's the comments like "it's the most important" one have been getting to me - baby won't even remember it!

OP posts:
HappyPumpkin81 · 04/09/2021 09:30

We had tea and cake at home with immediate family, and went to a model railway show.

DCINightingale · 04/09/2021 09:32

We went to a dinosaur park with a friend. We had been desperate to go for years but felt we couldn't go without a child in tow, so we took DS for his first birthday. Had a picnic there, it was a nice day out.

Enko · 04/09/2021 09:35

We invites god parents and their children for lunch for dd1 and that became the norm for our 4s first birthday. Low-key lunch es at home

Hemingwaycat · 04/09/2021 09:36

No party, I only bothered with one for DC1 and it wasn’t that great so didn’t bother with the younger ones. He got really overwhelmed and upset because everyone wanted to cuddle him and he was at the age where he had separation anxiety.

For younger ones we just went out for the day to a local zoo or farm then went for a meal and had cake at home.

ILoveAnOwl · 04/09/2021 09:49

This is bad...

DS (PFB)- party tea on the day with close friends and their children followed by a big party, loads of people, games, cake. The full works.

DD (second child)... I can't remember... I am a bad mother...

Original poster
tigerbreadandtea · 04/09/2021 11:11

I think if it were summer I'd be more enthusiastic because we could use the garden but with a winter baby I don't even know where people would sit inside!

OP posts:
Letsallscreamatthesistene · 04/09/2021 11:32

Blew up a load of balloons that basically filled the front room floor. He spent ages chasing them and loved it. It was lockdown which is why no other people were there, but honestly I think a birthday for a 1 year old is really about which adults you want to catch up with. The babies are still so little.

Letsallscreamatthesistene · 04/09/2021 11:35

comments like "it's the most important" one....

What an odd comment. The 1 year old will have no idea whats going on, nor will they remember it! I dont understand why its important.

ParkheadParadise · 04/09/2021 11:37

I had immediate family over. Bought lots of alcohol and food. Everyone had a good drink and we were still dancing in my living room at 1am.Dd played with a balloon for hours, she did have a slice of cake.
First birthday parties are for adults 😂🍷😂🎉

BeingATwatItsABingThing · 04/09/2021 11:42

DD2 is 1 in a couple of weeks. We’re having grandparents and aunts and uncles over for a gathering in the garden. Just an opportunity to get together really. There will be 16 of us altogether and we did the same for DD1.

If you don’t want a big party, don’t have one.

OldTinHat · 04/09/2021 11:55

Just immediate family, a few 'baby friends' some sandwiches and picky bits. It was intimate and perfect!

Raindancer411 · 04/09/2021 12:18

My first 9 years ago we had a BBQ as everyone wanted to meet him and it was hard work and I didn't get to "enjoy it". This time my daughter was one in May (first lock down she was born), and we weren't allowed to do much as of guidelines and locals numbers. It was just us and she loved opening her presents and playing with them and I could enjoy spending time with her for her 1st, not rushed off my feet.

234Pepperplant · 04/09/2021 12:52

DC1 the grandparents came for tea and cake. DC2 the grandparents came for lunch. We had a few balloons and a few presents. Everyone was happy. I saved the expense and hassle of big birthday parties until they were old enough to enjoy it properly - around age 4. Prior to that we maybe had a play date at soft play or a lunch with grandparents.

Do what suits you OP - your child won’t care.

Alarae · 04/09/2021 12:57

We were in lockdown, so nothing!

Going to plan to take her to a nearby farm for her 2nd birthday. She will benefit from it more as she will be mobile and could feed the animals.

We don't live nearby family though and it would be impossible to both sides at our house. Will probably head to see them either the weekend before or after, especially as it is my MIL and BIL's birthdays.

IWasBornInAThunderstorm · 04/09/2021 12:59

Nothing. It was shit. (Covid)

IWasBornInAThunderstorm · 04/09/2021 13:00

But do what you and DH want to do. It's your baby x

BunnytheFriendlyDragon · 04/09/2021 13:04

My baby is young but I have always imagined having a big party - immediate and some extended family in a restaurant or hotel.

I realise the child might be too young to realise but again we did t have a christening or anything like that and I'm not into showers or celebrations before baby arrives so I see it as a way to celebrate something wonderful - our DC.

But it is months til he is one and DH haven't discussed it so we'll see how we feel closer to the time and what we want to spend. I'd consider a party or BBQ at home in the summer.