Baby's first birthday - what did you do?

[tigerbreadandtea]

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!

I wouldn’t fret about it though I get it’s hard to deal with pressure if loads are bringing it up. But if your parents told you they did nothing for your first birthday would you think less of them? Probably not.

Lockdown but was lifted for a bit so just had parents round for tea and cut a cake. We took dd to the zoo ourselves for the day. This year we took her out for the day and cut a cake at home for her just us.

Do what you feel comfortable with OP

Now I'm thinking about Emma's first birthday in Friends

We took DD to a local farm park for the day. Close family were invited but they took offence to us not throwing a party (mid pandemic where you could only meet outside anyway) so it was just the 3 of us in the end. She had an absolute ball,we have some lovely pictures and memories and it was much less stressful than trying to keep her looking nice in a pretty outfit and happy about being around so many folk/routine being disturbed etc

Thanks all.

Picnic in the park with grandparents. It was more about them spending time with her rather than a celebration.

My daughter is 5 this year and is having her first big party.
It’s the first year she has had school friends to invite. It’s also probably the first birthday she’ll even actually remember.
My son is turning three soon and isn’t having a party. He doesn’t go to nursery and is only really bothered about us, his sister and his grandparents so it’s just going to be a day out with us and grandparents over for tea.
I’m not faffing around doing a kids’ party for the benefit of adults. It’s a waste of money, stress and time.

Immediate family and a colin the caterpillar cake.

One afternoon my nct friends came round for coffee and cake and bought a joint gift which was lovely too.

For DD we went to the zoo with her grandparents & a few days earlier had a small party at home with our NCT group & close friends.
For DS we went to the aquarium with his grandparents & a few days later again a small party at home with friends.

My DS is 1 in a couple of months too. We are going to visit an aquarium with my mum. He won't know any different.

We had a small party at home with my mum, dad, sister, best friend and her baby who was 18 months and another friend and her baby who was 2. we hired softplay which we put in the dining room and put other toys around (ballpit and slide) and the 3 kids had a blast. I made a simple buffet and ordered an amazing cake which i decorated with her plastic animals. it was a brilliant day and lovely to have photos of, even if she wont remember it

We just had immediate family plus a few of our aunts/uncles and cousins around to our house for some sandwiches and cake. We had a few balloons and I made a cake. We also did a day out to the aquarium just us as a family and that was it. I didn't see the point in hiring a hall and spending lots of money but still wanted to something to mark the occasion so this was a good compromise. Save the money for when they're at school and they want a whole class party plus entertainer!!

@tigerbreadandtea I know this is an old(ish) thread, but did you decide what to do? I want a low key thing with family and don't really want a massive party but my other half seems to want one. I'd love to know what you decided on

For each of mine we had family round for birthday tea.

Of course the baby won't remember, but I LOVE the picture of dc1 with his 2 x Great Grandmas. Sadly, people won't be around for ever, so I always liked to invite family for birthday tea as it is nice for family to get together and dcs' birthdays seems a useful 'hook' to hang those invitations on to, so you 'get round to' arranging to meet up every now and then.

DC1: DMIL made a cake and we had a little tea party with the DPIL.

DC2: Absolutely can't remember. Possibly nothing?

No regrets. If I want a party for adults, which is what a big first birthday party really is, I'll host one.

Me and ex DP took DD to a children's farm - she loved it! Then had about 4 close friends over for birthday cake and champagne late afternoon. Was very low key, easy, non-stressful.

However, neither exDP or I had family nearby (other side of the world, in my case) - but even then, I think we'd have done the same but had family over for the cake late afternoon.

I know some people do a big party, but that wasn't us at all. Do whatever works for you!

DD - now 14: We don't have any family locally so we went swimming, had cake, let her play with the wrapping paper. She needed a bath after the cake and was so shattered she had an unscheduled nap which DH and I used to drink a glass of champagne to celebrate that we survived the year.

We went to one 1st birthday party, friend from a baby group. It was badly timed as most of the little ones had naps at that time, it was too hot and crowded and most were crying at one point. For baby no. 2 the mum just had a picnic in the garden.

Do what you want, the first one is more for you anyway.