Baby's first birthday

[AliceCherry]

Okay, so it'll be my son's first birthday in a couple of months time and I was going to plan something low-key. I mean, I want to celebrate it and do something lovely, but I'd rather save the pennies for birthdays that he'll remember.

So, I'd planned to take my son swimming in the day with his cousins (he loves swimming) and then have a couple of people over late afternoon for cake, etc. Simple.

According to my ex-partners family however, that's not enough. They're shocked that I haven't booked a hall, found a caterer, invited 50+ people, booked entertainment(?!), etc. They don't stop going on about it. They make me feel like I don't care about my son. It's absurd.

My house isn't big enough to invite everyone other and have a massive party, and similarly I think that my DS would be overwhelmed with too many people in his space. As for renting a hall, that seems a bit OTT for a first birthday.

So, am I being cheap? Am I not making a big enough deal out of the day? Opinions please.

*over..

Lord, I wrote that in a rush. Can you tell?

I think what you already have planned sounds lovely. Ignore your ex's family. Do what you want to do with your son for his birthday.

What you’re doing sounds lovely; one DDs actual birthday me and DH has a nice day with her and then had a family day out to a safari park at the weekend. It was perfect; first birthday celebrations are more for the parents than anything and I find organising parties quite stressful so couldn’t see the benefit.
If they feel so strongly about it why doesn’t your ex partner do it.

I think your idea sounds lovely. I am having the same problem. First birthday in two months also and would prefer something low key but feel under pressure from others to go all out!!!

Plenty of time to book a hall and bouncy castle etc when your child is old enough to
enjoy all that.

Sounds lovely to me. If people reeeeaaally want to splash out on a hall and an entertainer (!) for a 1yo's birthday, well, it's their money, but I think they're insane.

Are you I laws not white British? I’ve found big 1st birthday celebrations are expected in some cultures esp Afro/Caribbean.

You’re not being cheap, you’re being sensible and realistic.

We had both sets of grandparents for tea and cake.

But then we had already had quite a large Christening party.

We didn’t book a hall until they were 3yo.

I don’t know anyone who had a huge thing for the first birthday.

DD1s first birthday was spent packing as we were moving the very next day! We took her out a week later to soft play and for food. DD2s birthday is in 2 weeks, we will do the very same!

I see no point in a huge party, they don't even know it's their birthday, your plan sounds lovely.

What you have planned sounds lovely.