Child’s first birthday

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Thoughts on having a ‘party’ for Childs first birthday at a social club.

would be both our family’s (1 set live close, 1 set 2.5 hours away so would need hotels which is close by to venue) and friends (there’s about 6/7 baby under 2)

Thinking pies & curry from local bakery & maybe soft play setup for the kids.

Not costed up but recon:
room hire £75
soft play £150
pies/curry £100
ballon’s and decs £150
maybe missing things, if I have let me know

Partner thinks its pointless as baby is 1, clingy to mum/dad & grandparents & doesn’t have a clue what’s going on so reckons we go on holiday instead with the money (last one before maternity ends)
Or invest the money in child’s ISA (we’re trying to set our child up so put child benefit in his ISA)

thoughts?

YABU - 1st birthday party
YANBU - Holiday/invest

How many people would you be inviting? You don’t need party bags for the kids, this isn’t a kids party, it’s for a 1 year old in a social club, this is an adults party with kids invited OP. Treat it like the enjoyable piss up it is and put that money behind the bar instead if you insist on spending it

If you want a balloon arch, have one for your birthday. I think they are environmentally damaging and I’d much prefer to put the money into a savings account for them as they won’t care about it. First birthdays are about you not the child as they have no idea it’s their birthday. Personally I’d prefer a holiday as that’s enjoyable for everyone.

I did this for my daughter's 1st birthday and regret it as my only memories are of running around hosting everyone and feeling stressed. I barely saw my daughter. Ever since then we've taken her for a nice day out for her birthday instead e.g. the zoo, and she's now having her first proper birthday party this summer aged 5.

I’ve only been to a couple 1st birthdays but BOTH mums said the same. “It was overwhelming and I spent the whole day hosting whilst my child gets passed around”

We had family and friends pop in and out over my son’s birthday weekend. We did party food that cost like £20, got a cake made £60 and spent about £10 on decorations.

We had a tea party at home for our daughter’s 1st birthday. I made a cake and we bought some easy buffet food from Asda. A few balloons and sparkly streamers, she had a great time playing with wrapping paper on the floor. We enjoyed it way more than we expected to.

Pay off some debt, and wait until your child’s 3 or 4 then have a lovely party where she will be running around enjoying it all.

I agree with the small tea party at home suggestions.

A party in a social club doesn’t sound very good.

I think these types of parties are awful for a very young baby who has no idea what day it is.
Too noisy and chaotic for a baby who will probably spend some of it asleep or whingeing and the thought of a baby being passed around all those people , not for me.