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Ideas for DCs 1st birthday, please.

7 replies

NoMatch4Me · 10/07/2025 15:07

Its my DC's first birthday late next month and whilst i understand she's 1 and won't remember it, I do want to make some sort of effort to mark the occasion. Nothing grand or spectacular, of course, as there wont be anyone "invited", perhaps just a small number of immediate family for a little intimate celebration. I have booked a trip to the zoo, just me and DC, 2 days after the actual day. I know this is enough but WWYD on the day itself? an extra activity or a picky afternoon tea with cake or something else entirely?

Also any particular gift ideas? We don't have a lot of storage so trying to avoid the excessive junk. Any ideas? I'm thinking clothes, a couple of developmental toys, and maybe a keepsake special gift (?), but what?...

Sorry i really don't mean to come across as a PFB mum or utterly clueless😅 just I'm a lone parent and it's usually only me and DC, so i want to make a bit of effort outside of the daily grind, without going to the extreme that you usually see now on SM.

OP posts:
Douane · 10/07/2025 16:18

If it were me, and it was me a while ago, we had a few balloons and a colourful happy birthday banner by the table that was set up with nice sandwiches ,crisps ,tea, bubbly and a proper pretty birthday cake.
It makes a lovely photo op with the one-year-old and the adults enjoy it too.
We had the same lack of space too so LO received clothing, small toys, and we started an account that could be added to as the birthdays went by.

NoMatch4Me · 10/07/2025 16:25

@Douane That actually sounds great, thank you.

OP posts:
Douane · 10/07/2025 16:31

NoMatch4Me · 10/07/2025 16:25

@Douane That actually sounds great, thank you.

Sorry @NoMatch4Me I meant to wish DC a very happy first birthday!
I know it will be special because you will make certain it will be, and though DC won't remember it ,you'll have lots of lovely photos to enjoy looking back on together,I'm sure!

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RealPearlDuck · 11/07/2025 05:11

For the gift ideas think of items that are needed right now or will be needed in the future. If there would be toys, think of those that grow with the kid, like an activity table, maybe board games, building blocks (Mega Blocks or Duplo would be great). As for the clothes, I wouldn't request something specific (unless you know exactly what is needed), but would rather want a gift card to a particular store instead.
As for the event itself, absolutely get the balloons and maybe a colorful "Happy Birthday" poster just for a picture opportunity. You can make a cute slideshow or a collage with photos from this day, so that you could show it to the kid once they are old enough to understand. Keeping the memories of those that were around for their first birthday is so valuable.

verycloakanddaggers · 11/07/2025 05:31

If you don't have much storage, then perhaps a good gift would be toy storage.

Just make/buy a cake and make some sandwiches.

Marking an occasion is really about taking time to feel it, a trip to the zoo is plenty.

Rainbowqueeen · 11/07/2025 05:34

Favourite foods and favourite activities all day. take lots of photos.

A little party as suggested above. Make sure someone takes lots of photos of you with DD.

Books are a great gift that no one has mentioned. Or an annual pass to a farm or the zoo or something else that you would get a lot of use out of.

A doll and a pram for DD to push when she starts walking would also be a great gift. Otherwise I would not worry too much about developmental toys. Age 2, when you have some idea of their interests is a great age to get into that kind of stuff.

hhtddbkoygv · 11/07/2025 05:38

I didn't do anything. Just had a normal day. It was great!

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