No One's Coming to 1st B'day party

[littleliving]

Pretty self explanatory. It's LOs 1st birthday this weekend and we're having a party tomorrow... except everyone's said they can't come. Every last child we invited. Have spent a lot of money and time on food and decorations and have been excited since I planned it two months ago. Money I can't afford to 'waste' as have been scrimping and putting bits away for months to pay for it. It's just a lunch, cake and games at my house but we don't have a lot of money and I'm a single mum.
I'm upset and humiliated, obviously LO won't know what's going on but I will always remember no one came to my daughter's first birthday party!
Any ideas what I can do?

Have you bought all the food? If not and you have money left maybe go to the farm for the day?

Sounds like you've invited other similar aged children? If that's the case just invite your family and friends instead rather than other 1 year olds. All the 1st birthdays I have gone to have been an adult get together primarily with a bit of cake for the birthday child - because as you say the baby won't care or remember about their 1st birthday.

Who did you invite? Can you ask your family instead?

Sorry you are upset.

That's really sad but do focus on the fact she won't have a clue it's her birthday and enjoy the time together. Have cake and cuddles, it'll all be ok.

I've invited friends and family members' kids, everyone else is working. My own fault for having it on a Friday! Yes payed for all the food, it's all in my fridge ready to go :( my poor mum's been up half the night making a cake and home made kid friendly pizza slices. Considered somehow donating all the food but not sure anyone would appreciate 100 cocktail sausages, sausage rolls and carrot sticks

Could you switch it to Saturday or Sunday?

Any chance you could switch it to Saturday? Would some of them be able to make it then?

Change it to Saturday.

Freeze them in small packs.

School/work/activities...all reasons a Friday wouldn't suit.

Did you only find out just now that nobody was coming?

Everyone refused today? That's awful. I hope you have s lovely day anyway with your mother and daughter.

Is it Friday lunchtime? Because that can be difficult for people. Perhaps teatime or as previously suggested Saturday would be better. What have been people's excuses?

I invited them all two months ago, they all said they could come, I'd understand if I just dropped it on them today!
None of them work and they've just simply said "sorry we can't make it anymore" and "DS has a runny nose" which is fair enough, and my best friend has had a death in the family and the funeral is tomorrow, again very understandable. (I messaged them today to say hello just checking you're still coming etc.)
Her dad has her on her birthday, Saturday, so that's a no go. Will see if any of the neighbours can use some of the food, of course we'll still have it but I'd be amazed if we eat even a quarter of it! Thankfully, some of it is crisps and packaged things that can be eaten at a later date.
Considered posting in a local mums group but didn't want to further embarrass myself!

I don't think people see 1 year old parties as big deals.

I'm sorry, OP.

Freeze the food then do something else instead as a family. Farm, swimming, soft play etc. You can still have a great time but without the hassle of a party.

Think I will freeze it, hopefully the weathers nice and we'll go for a long walk and feed some ducks. All else fails there's always soft play! I think more than anything my cheeks are burning, not that I care what people think there's something quite mortifying about telling people no one came to your party

If people are at work could you do a party tea instead and still use the food and games?

That's crappy-no wonder you feel upset.

The upside is that she'll never know and she will still have cake with her mum and granny and maybe a day out to boot.

for you.

I'm sorry to hear this op I would also be upset. Freeze the food and have a lovely day out with dd.

That's crappy, I'm sorry. As for the comment that people don't see 1yo's birthdays as big deals, then it's pretty shitty to accept an invitation and then dump it at the last minute, whatever the occasion. Hope you manage to have a lovely day

You poor thing, how terribly disappointing

I would definitely post in a local mums page! A lot of mums are often desperate to get out of the house sometimes (I know I am) and meet other parents.

I'm sorry all your guests cancelled 🙁
I second taking your little one to the farm, that's where we took my eldest for her first birthday and then came home for lunch (was just my main family and close family friend) and then she smashed a whole cake to herself and had a nap!

I know it's such a big feeling for you, your little one turning one. But don't worry about her; she has no idea people aren't coming!

Xx

For her 1st birthday, my DD got a candle in a cupcake bought from Tesco round the corner from work, and she ate it sitting on my lap in the office. That was the total. No gifts, no guests, nothing. 2nd birthday was the same. 3rd birthday she got some bubblemix but basically was alone for that one too. 4th birthday, also alone but some gifts and a cake. 5th birthday was her very first actual party. She invited her entire class. Don't feel bad. Even if you just take her to feed the ducks, you'll have done way more than I achieved!

And yes, why not post on a local baby FB page or something, and maybe make a few new friends? I'd pop along if you were local - my littlest turned 1 last week.

For my first I hired a place, loads of people came. My second is 1 on Good Friday. We haven't bothered this time. Do plan a BBQ at home and invite some people but expect most to have plans as it's Easter. I also feel bad. We can't even think what to. It her for her birthday