Fisrt birthday stress

[mum2double]

Can anyone help please???

My son's first birthday is coming up at the begining of March. I had planned to just have family over on the day, sing happy birthday, have a cake etc..

However in the last week we (i mean my son's) have been invited to 3 first birthday parties all being held in some venue or other such as soft play.

It's not that i begrudge spending the money but i ask myself who benefits, are they really going to be old enought to understand?

I am feeling pressured into having some sort of party in return (i know i am putting the pressure on myself).

Can you please let me know what you did on the occasion of your childrens first birthday?

Thanks

Dd1 - can't honestly remember (it was only 4 years ago) - probably invited close family and had a cake etc.

Dd2, I invited 4 friends who happened to have babies of a similar age, we had tea/coffee, cakes and soft drinks, plus a b'day cake. I think we had a pass the parcel too but can't remember.

I never feel pressured into doing something I don't want/can't afford.

On my DTs first birthday, we had a couple of friends over for a birthday tea with cakes etc (my mum had chosen that week to go on holiday as the flight was a bit cheaper , so we were going to have a family do for the grandparents the following week, but then the children were all ill...but that's a whole other story!). Then some more friends came over later on and after the children went to bed we all had champagne and a curry to celebrate surviving the first year .

IMO, hiring a venue or soft play place for a 1st birthday is a little OTT, unless, I suppose, there are going to be lots of older children there who will need entertaining. But I think your plans sound spot on for a first birthday - enjoy .

Hello,
we've just had ours and had an 'open house' thing where I just said to people to come round between 3 and 6 (when they would be awake!). This meant that it was nothing formal and we could all just have a good natter while the children played. I did mulled wine and mince pies for the adults and the children had their usual snacks and then tea. Nothing fancy at all and my twins had flu anyway!

so far (mine were 6 on Thursday) we have had low key family birthday parties - and my boys have enjoyed them all.

No need at all to feel pressured in to a big venue party - do what you want to do.

On Ds's first and second birthdays we went out to lunch and had some cake in the evening, just the three of us. No need for any sort of pary or gathering unless you like that sort of thing

We had a little party in our house with a few baby friends and a few adult ones eg Aunties and God parents. They had a great time. It's often about showing off, I think!

Thank you all so much for your advice, I have decided to go with my initial thoughts and keep it simple.

Their birthday falls on a weekend so i am going to adopt an open house policy and everyone who wants to see them on their big day can do so between the hours of 11 and 2.30 (nap at 3!!)

Fingers crossed all works out well.