Sons 1st Birthday

[BusyBeeMummy1]

Hey MNers

My DC bday coming up and I wanted to know if you had any suggestions on how to make the most of our birthday budget.
I looked on Amazon and JUST for our decorations its adding up to around £70.

I plan to get the cake from Costco but not sure how I can save money on the decorations and party food/dessert table. Any suggestions or recommendations?!

I'd go to Card Factory and get some balloons and streamers. £70 sounds like a lot!

What decorations are you looking at?? We didn't spend that much on ds's entire first birthday.

You don’t need decorations costing £70 even if you have hired a hall. Some balloons and few cheap banners will make it look like party.

I totally understand why you want to make your sons first birthday a special occasion but he won't remember it! He will more than likely be more interested in playing with the wrapping paper that any expensive presents. I think a first birthday is more, a celebration for the parent(s)
Like - ''Well done, we made it through the first year!'' As pp has said, go to somewhere like Card Factory for a few cheap decorations and also get one of your favourite drinks (or whatever you do to celebrate!) and congratulate yourself on surviving/enjoying your sons first year!

Go to Poundland for decorations, Tesco do 4 for 5 on balloons and stuff too.

It depends on what you want and how many people for really.

What decorations are you looking at for £70? We’ve decorated large village halls for the DC’s birthdays with balloons, banners, streamers etc for far far less than that.

Where is the party? Church hall? Home? How many people are coming? What age ranges?

He is one. A few sandwiches and a birthday cake is all you need.

Haha as you can tell im really inexperienced. Birthdays at my parents in the garden (weather permitting) around 30 people. Will try Card Factory and Tesco. Im glad ive found out thats way too much to spend. Im thinking for the desserts table to do cups with popcorn (iceland do a huge tub for £2) home made cookies, finger sandwiches. Anything else i can add to the dessert table?

Does the 30 include children? Are you catering for friends and family or just kids? If it's a family gathering it can get expensive (but I'd spend the money on nice food rather than loads of decorations ) but if you're only catering for children the cheese/ham/jam sandwiches plus pizza followed by jelly and ice cream and cake.

£70?!
Over the years I’ve spent a small fortunes on parties - but don’t think I’ve ever spent a penny on decorations.
He’s ONE - he won’t care.
A single “1” silver foil helium balloon on the desserts table will give enough of a festive air, and he’ll playing with it.
Save your cash!
And hope you both enjoy the party

Standard kids party decorations are happy birthday banners (99p for 3 at tesco), some balloons (also 99p for 10 I think) I leave some on the floor as the kids love playing with them. Maybe a helium balloon or 2. Bubbles for the kids to play with are fun and cheap.
Party bags are not essential but can be a good way to get kids to leave without a fuss, but keep them cheap too.
Your food ideas sound nice. Have a lovely time.

Hi Op. I went to pound world today they are closing down. All happy birthday stuff - candles / balloons / party bags / banners all reduced!!! I spent £30 and have a 3 massive bags of monster party stuff plus loads of other random stuff !

@pug omg thanks for the info will be headed there this weekend. Its all adults no children my DC is the only child in our family. Yeah i think i will keep it simple. I blame pinterest for making me go overboard lol

All adults! Buy some 'Happy birthday' banners and a few baloons from pound land and spend the rest on a fab buffet and wine!

Remember to get yourself something for surviving! My SIL always buys me flowers.

@InDub too right! Lovely gesture from your SIL but defo going to treat myself too. Thanks!

Right, you need to get off Pinterest and do some thinking.

What is the point of this party? To show off, or to do something you will all enjoy?

Start with your child. What will he/she eat? How will you keep him/her happy and occupied? How long are they going to be able to tolerate before they need quiet time? What things are likely to upset them (balloons, people singing happy birthday, being passed around relatives have all made mine cry at their own early parties).

Now, you and your partner. You don’t want to be run ragged with preparations - you want to be able to enjoy it too: spend some time just sitting talking to people, maybe with a drink in your hand.

Finally, your guests. They won’t notice decorations or care about an expensive cake. They want to have a few drinks, something nice to eat, and the chance to catch up with friends and family.