How to celebrate baby's 1st birthday?

[Starfishkiss]

Please help me with some ideas of how to celebrate my sons 1st birthday! Its driving me nuts now! eek!
We live a 2-3 hour drive away from our families, and they are each with new partners so getting them all together for a small type party, say a meal, would probably be very awkward indeed! Also our house is too small to have them all round.
I have made some lovely mummy friends this year but our babies are all born within weeks of each other and so we may organise a little joint party so that we don't all have to go to 9 other baby parties.
So I need some ideas as I really want to do something as its a really special day for me! What have you all done? Thanks for your help!
Xxx

For dd1 first birthday we did a joint party, did secret santa type present so each child got one big present. For her actual birthday we took her to an aquarium and it was great, she loved the fishes, is one of the best ages to take them. Did the same for the others and they have all loved it. Inside so warmish and dry which is important in winter, then went for fish + chips, had her favourite meal (curry!) when we got home. Is quite pricey so see if you can find a 2 for 1 voucher for you and oh, ds goes free.

Is there a zoo nearby you can go too? That's a fun thing to do.

Ooh aquarium sounds good (and warm!), don't know about zoo's round here but it's probably a bit cold to go to one at the moment.
I wanted to do something with the family ideally but I think I just have to face up to the fact that my family is not the cookie-cutter family that I wish it was andanyfhibg involving all of them would probably be difficult.
Sad isn't it, in my head I want my son to grow up with lots of family around him, enjoying lovely big parties, and fun days out etc, but with all the politics in our family I doubt that likely to happen! Looks like it'll just be us 3 again!
Xxx

What a shame your family can't put their differences to one side for one afternoon. When my DD turned 1 last year I had a BBQ in the garden and DH and I invited both our parents with their new partners. They wouldn't normally socialise together and theres no love lost between them but they were able to put it to one side to share DDs 1st birthday with her.
Maybe a joint party with your new friends is the best way to go under the circumstances?
Whatever you decide I hope you have a lovely day!

First birthday is a much bigger deal for the mother than for anyone else in the world. As long as you bear that in mind, you'll be fine!

I'd almost be inclined to book yourself a babysitter for part of the day, and go and have a lovely massage and facial or something at a spa - a real pamper-you day, to celebrate and remember this day last year, which was anything but a Starfishkiss pamper day :)