What did you do for their first birthday?

[Linguaphile]

Potentially stupid question, but here goes. Our girls' first birthday is still a few months off, but I got to thinking about it today as someone asked me what I was planning on doing. The thought of planning something stresses me out as I never know who to invite, what to do, etc for these sorts of things. A family celebration with grandparents is out due to a tense relationship between the divorced grandparents. Plus, none of our family lives nearby. We don't want to spend loads (it's not like they're going to remember anything!), but it would be nice to mark the occasion. So...

What friends did you invite? Baby friends from play group/church/etc with their parents? Your own friends who may or may not have kids? Nobody?

Where did you have it? Soft play? Park? Home?

What food did you serve?

What did you do? Any entertainment for kiddos? Party bags?

If they were turning 5 it would be easier to plan, but what do you do for a toddler who would probably be just as happy if you gave them a cardboard box to play with and a sweet potato with a candle stuck in it?

We had 'open house' from about 3pm, put a table buffet together and let folk come & go as they wished. Turned out great because my dt's had terrible colds so they were comfy in their own home. Saying that, we only have a small family but it worked really well for us.
Good luck & enjoy it before party planning takes over your life once they go to school!
Have fun x

We did nowt. Just a cake and a couple of family members. At 1 they are too young and won't remember. I don't think I even bought them a pressie! Save your money for a party when they're older and will be able to remember. Resist the social pressure! And happy birthday to your twins.

I planned to spend a lovely day in London with a friend.

Instead, I spent the night before and all of their birthday throwing up! Had to ring DH to come home from work to take over as I threw up for the twelfth time in twelve hours, and had to throw away the cakes I made because I didn't know if I'd contaminated them with my lurgy :(

We had a party for their second birthday!

Nothing spectacular. Cakes and very close friends & family, 11 people in total. Only got them presents they actually needed and still use now. Was the perfect day. Special, happy, cheap and most importantly, stress free!

Can't believe birthday number two is soon for us!

We're planning to have a 'thank you for helping us survive the first year' party. Open house, BBQ thing with people coming throughout the day with or without kids, and without kids in the evening. It's much less about their birthday and more a way for us to say thank you to everyone who's helped us.