1st birthday party ideas...

[FromTheBubblegumTree]

I'm definitely not a big party person, but do want to make DDs 1st birthday special. I live in a small flat so cant practically invite people over. Also her birthday is end of Feb so too cold/wet for picnic in the park type vibes. It seems a bit of an awkward time of year to do anything outside.

I considered hiring a room just round the corner and inviting some of her little friends & their parents from playgroup for an indoor teddy bears picnic. But I'm not sure if that's a bit much for a 1st birthday. I just want to do something simple to mark the occasion.

Any ideas? I'm really struggling! Thanks

Ps. I know it's a long way off but if I leave it to the last minute I know it just won't happen 🙂

DD wont even know it's a party so I really wouldn't bother!

Make it a celebration of surviving a year of parenting so somewhere the adults can enjoy and the kids are safe and happy enough

Honestly all the people I know who threw parties for their children age 1 regret it in some way. It often leads to the poor child being completely overwhelmed and becomes less about them than about the others attending.

I wouldn't bother personally and would instead take her out for the day to celebrate e.g to an aquarium or farm park.

Invite family members. Buy a cake. A cup of tea.

She is 1. Won't remember. Doesn't understand

Tbh I would skip a teddy bear birthday if I was the mum of the other very young children invited. Way too much.

Honestly, I would just do this^^
Or, if you can bake, just make a cake.

Thanks, interesting responses.i wasn't sure what the norm was. I probably would have invited three of four mum friends over with their kids for a couple of hours if I had the space at home. Or just planned to meet up with a couple of friends in the park as a playdate and brought along a birthday cake or something but it's the space issue and weather that makes it difficult. I definitely don't want to hire a room so any ideas to mark the occasion without going all out would be appreciated

Ps. It's just me and DD (single mum) so it would be nice to do something vaguely social. I don't have family to celebrate with

First birthdays are a big deal to me - as the mum - and worth celebrating! Appreciate the baby wont remember but you will and if you want to do something then do! You have completed the first year and a little celebration sounds lovely. It’s fine if it’s for you! If she has a couple of little baby friends could you go to a soft play cafe or something similar? Or a children’s farm and just take a cake?

The first birthday is for you, not them. You survived the first year and it’s good to celebrate that but honestly DD won’t know or care. Take her to a nice farm if there is one open. If nowhere is open, invite a few mum friends and babies over for tea and cake. Anything like a sensory play with friends or hiring a hall is just going to cost you money. For the same price you might be able to do a nice day out that you wouldn’t usually stretch to.

How about getting her a nice first birthday photo shoot for you to remember her at this age. Then take her out to the zoo/ aquarium/ farm for her birthday?

It's just me and DD (single mum) so it would be nice to do something vaguely social. I don't have family to celebrate with

In that case I would just go to a child friendly cafe with your friends and their babies, and ask them if you can bring a birthday cake with you. I'm sure they cafe won't mind if you are buying food and drinks as well.