1st birthday party

[djt87]

Posting in here so it gets seen!

If you have children have you celebrated their 1st birthday with a party? Or just something small? Or nothing at all?

I don't think our house is really big enough to host and my DP's family is really big so would need to look at a venue if anything. I'm wondering with a venue where would you have it? There would be children from 1 - 4 years old. I'm a first time mum so never even been to a first birthday party before either so not sure what the thing is to do? Would a soft play be too old for them? I could hire a hall but then I think about sorting all the food, drinks, hiring activities etc.

Would just like to hear opinions on what you did if anything at all and any ideas you have thought were good.

Personally I would save the money and wait until she is old enough to enjoy it.

I just did an “open house” type thing for the afternoon for anyone who wanted to come and visit!

I would arrange a large party right now nor a large party for a one year old! He won't participate much nor remember it

Save the big party for his 2nd/3rd and do a small tea party for with 6 - 8 others- maybe a nan and grandad or uncle /aunt. As long as he has one other child to " play with "

I wouldn't bother with all of that. When they're 4 they'll love a birthday party. Before that they're not bothered.
Ds1 is 5 and on his first birthday we had grandparents, Aunty, uncles and little cousins round for cake and food.
Ds2 is almost 1 and we'll do the same for his.

• I wouldn't ... I meant

I didn't. But perhaps as we were between lockdowns at the time when things were tentatively opening up. We took DC on an outing to the farm as it was the first time they'd opened that year. So it was their first experience. It was such a nice day . I think until DC is much older I will just do special days out/experiences.

Another vote for daytime open house.
Save your money.

A few sandwiches and a big cake. Balloon arch if you are feeling wild.

We just invited grandparents round for the 1st birthday. Made them wear party hats. Good memories.

My little boy is only 4 months at the moment but I am planning a party for his first birthday. The main reason being that we haven’t had the chance to get everyone together, in the same place since he was born. Our families are scattered all over so this seems a great reason.
I’m planning a small (ish) garden party as it will be mid June. The theme is “Wild One” so loads of safari/jungle style balloons and animals and a cake smash. I’ll likely go overboard and I know he won’t remember it, but we all will and there will always be photos for him to see when he’s older.

We had a "party" when DS was 1, decorated the house a bit, got a cake and party food, had his grandparents/sibling/uncle over and that was it. I think any more than that is potentially overwhelming for a child so young.
Did a bigger party for his 2nd birthday with 5 other sons of friends who were all born around the same time so it was alot livelier having all the "babies" together for the first time!
Both parties at home - I'm keeping my powder dry for the more expensive class party years!

With 1st one we did because we had lots of baby friends from NCT and it was a nice excuse to all get together. It was more a party for adults though, with lunch and drinks.

With 2nd one, no, just cake with us at home as we didn't do baby groups or NCT with second one, so didn't really have any friends with similar aged children anymore. They don't care or remember or enjoy it, so it's more for you. Neither of mine had a birthday with their actual friends (rather than our friends and their dc) until they turned 4.

Save your money and go on a day out instead, we took DS1 swimming and then just one set of grandparents came for ‘tea’ that afternoon. Your DC will get overwhelmed and grumpy with people faffing and messing about with them.

For ds' 1st and 2nd birthdays we just had a few of his friends over and some cake and kept it really small and simple.

3rd party was softplay

All 3 of the parties were a hit. Make the most of small and simple while you can get away with it.

First birthday is for parents and family really so as big or as small as you want it. For my first we had a hall and lots of family and friends. Unnecessary but we were excited and wanted to celebrate. For our second we felt differently life was busier and we had grandparents and close family at home for tea and cake.

Both lovely and birthday child had a nice time both times but as others point out neither remember it. I enjoyed them both too less to do as hall hired, buffet provided for first one. Less expense second time but a little more hosting, tidying before it. Do what suits you best.

We just did tea party / garden party with close family and a few friends

Yes, my DC all had first birthday parties, at home in the backyard/patio - grandparents, extended family, baby group friends and a few special others. I still have wonderful memories of these parties and all the ones they had every year after that.

Our baby group were all born just either side of Christmas, so it became secondary to all the birthday party socialising lol.

I combined it with her christening. Hired a village hall and asked everyone to bring a cake. I hired a bouncy castle for the cousins. Tea and cake. It was lovely.

We did open house too - tbh he cried or napped through most of it.

DD is just having tea & cake with the grandparents to celebrate her birthday at the weekend.