First birthday party ideas

[Prettybow]

My little baby will be 1 soon and we want to do a party on October. We have a big patio but don't know how the weather might be.
We have got a total of 40 guests including adults and children. For our elder DC, we did a party at home but with fewer guests.
DH wants to do a low key day out with just us a family and a cake cutting but I want to do the party, probably hiring a venue with all decorations and food from caterer.
I am really feeling lost and bit stressed as I have got so much going on like baby starting nursery, mat leave finishing etc and need to go back to work in Sep plus arranging all of the birthday party arrangements feels a lot right now.
Please share any ideas how you did your DC first birthday celebrations.

Just go with your DH's idea. It's crazy to me that you'd even consider organising some huge catered party for 40 people for a small baby when you've got actual important stuff going on. Focus on transitioning back to work, and just have a few people around to watch your baby drool on her candle.

Why are you doing this to yourself?

Baby is 1. He/she will be unaware and won't remember. So essentially you're holding a party for adults for the benefit of adults.

1 year olds (their birthday included) will get very tired and grouchy after a prolonged period of noise, fuss and lots of people - you're asking for trouble.

I'm with your husband on this one.

We hired a ball pit and some soft play bits BUT only because we were moving house so tied it into a goodbye house party. For her second birthday we went to the farm and had a birthday tea with both sets of grandparents and I enjoyed it a lot more!

DD napped for most of the party!

You DH is right.

Oh gosh OP, don’t put more pressure on yourself. Am I right in thinking this is your last baby, so you want to make it special? I do get it, but honestly, don’t stress yourself. They won’t remember it, you are clearly not enjoying the planning, so what’s the point?

Family round, sing some songs, have a glass, watch your baby be adored by the closest people in their life. If nothing else, 40 people on a patio in October sounds pretty grim!

I did an open house.

Nibble's and drinks a few banners and people could come and go as they pleased. Spreads people out and takes the pressure off. Just stipulate a time (1-6pm for example)

Although your DH idea sounds better!

I have no idea why you’d put that additional stress on you when you’ve already got so much going on.

DH’s plan sounds lovely.

We used to just have grandparents over for some lunch / birthday tea and present opening.

Do whatever YOU want. The baby is not going to know or care either way.

If DH wants a nice day out then definitely do that. He organises it.

If you want a big party then do that, but it's for you to organise. If the organisation is too stressful then do something else that you would like, perhaps a smaller party?

I don't think you should feel pressured to have a big party. I wrote a blog post on this recently - How to Organise a Magical First Birthday Party Without Losing Your Mind so hope that this might help you or anyone else feeling overwhelmed.