1st Birthday party, no space, lots of people to invite......ideas please.

[cockle84]

We have a daughter who'll be turning 1 at the end of March, a very small house and lots of people (adults and children)who will want to join us in celebrating her birthday.
I was looking at the soft play places but they charge an absolute fortune per child (for what they offer) so don't think that'll be an option.
Does anyone have any good ideas?
Thank you.

Don't have one? Seriously. Have your family over for a drink and some cake but your daughter won't get much out of it

I'm with PattiMayor. The birthday girl won't know what's going on. When DD was one we just had MIL, SIL and BIL to visit.

YY to Patti and Bun - IME 1st birthday parties are for the parents not the child.

you could book a church hall or community centre - or go to someone else's house>

village hall? My sister got one for her DDs 3rd bday, and used all the playgroup toys and stuff :)

Ooh congrats, we're turning one at the same time! (DD, not me)
Best bit of advice I've had lately is keep the 1st party small, baby might get overwhelmed. We're having GP plus uncles and godparents-total 10 pax which is more than enough for my DD (and my wallet)

I agree OlympicEater although in this case it's actually more for my in laws and DH's family ;0) They'll all want to see her and I just can't accomodate that many people in our house. That's why I was thinking of Soft Play or something because at least she'd enjoy herself.

Will look into the village hall, especially one with a playgroup in to use their toys, thanks.

Can you have a family tea at PIL's house? That's what I did, more space and everyone is happy. dd was happy with a cake and some balloons.

We had a party at a local village hall but only because DD was Christened on the same day, as her birthday fell on a Sunday and we thought that would be a nice joint celebration.
The hire of the hall was approx £100 but would have been nearer £50 if we hadn't used the cooker and fridge. We were a bit boring really and just brought our ipod with some party music and some of DD's toys from home. It was lovely but exhausting! DD was exhausted!
Needless to say this year we are doing nothing while we can get away with her not remembering

Open house for the day, invite some people for morning coffee, some others for lunch and a different group for afternoon tea. Accept you be knackered and house a mes by the end of the day.

Or village/ community hall and invite everyone at once for a tea party.