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Help. 1st birthday party

11 replies

ESC2197 · 18/10/2020 22:23

Need help planning my daughters 1st birthday "party".
Issues is her birthday is January 1st, so slightly inconvenient
As it's her first I don't want to do it on a later date and I'm definitely not doing it early because Christmas.
So I have know idea what to do, as everyone well most likely be hungover and probably not want to even get out of bed let alone listen to a bunch of small children screaming and laughing.
Anyway... what would you do if it was your child 1st birthday and you wanted to make a bit of a fuss?

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orangejuicer · 18/10/2020 22:25

Sorry OP but your baby won't know any different. Do whatever works for your guests, bearing in mind there may be tighter COVID restrictions by then anyway.

peachypetite · 18/10/2020 22:26

Not to be negative but with COVID you may not be able to do anything....I would wait until nearer the time since things change so fast it’s impossible to plan for something in a few months.!

johnd2 · 18/10/2020 22:34

Remember 1st birthday is entirely for the parents and other relatives benefit as the child has no idea until they look at the photos.
We had our ds1 1st birthday on Saturday, first day of lock down, do just the three of us in the end. It was a bit disappointing not having more family round but we had a great time making cake and decorations and our boy was having a great time as he does every day!
Just don't over think it, remember it's a day for you to enjoy not to follow any correct way.
We did have a video chat with family which was nice.
Regarding your date dilemma you could always have it in that boring time between xmas and ny where noone quite knows that to do with themselves!

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movingonup20 · 18/10/2020 22:47

Don't overthink it, babies would probably prefer no party and there's no guarantee it can happen with the likelihood of restrictions still in place. Just plan a trip perhaps and take photos along with (if open) a meal where your dd can sit in a high chair and eats foods she likes (went to our favourite Mexican restaurant for DD's, they made a real fuss of her and introduced her to churros)

ErrolTheDragon · 18/10/2020 22:52

@movingonup20

Don't overthink it, babies would probably prefer no party and there's no guarantee it can happen with the likelihood of restrictions still in place. Just plan a trip perhaps and take photos along with (if open) a meal where your dd can sit in a high chair and eats foods she likes (went to our favourite Mexican restaurant for DD's, they made a real fuss of her and introduced her to churros)
That sounds about right (and for the second birthday too, TBH). Even in normal times, a lot of places aren't open on Jan 1st so if you want to do something like that do check beforehand.
CalmDown7 · 19/10/2020 09:42

I think do it that week but not necessarily that day. Let everyone recover from their hangovers and then have something to look forward to later that week once they are all sobered up and ready for another get together.

Don’t stress about it thought because your child won’t know it’s their birthday. A nice cake, some balloons, food and good company is all you really need assuming COVID allows it x

Mumdiva99 · 19/10/2020 09:50

If your party is for other parents i don't think they have the luxury of lounging im bed hung over. 1 year old don't care if it's January the first or not.....
But as others have said Covid may scupper plans so be flexible.

NerrSnerr · 19/10/2020 09:56

It you're in the UK you won't be able to invite many people anyway, providing she's your first so there's 3 of you, you'd only be able to invite another 3 anyway (and also it would be dependent on what tier you're in at the time whether you can meet people from other households and where.

I personally would do something as a family and decide nearer the time to see what's open or not. A 1 year old doesn't care what they do for their birthday!

Notmydaughteryoubitch · 19/10/2020 10:03

We always make our DDs birthday (also in Jan) a family day with a trip to the zoo, birthday cake breakfastt, nice tea, presies. We love giving our DD focus and time.
Throwing a party is hard work and as the organiser you're typically running around making food, putting up decorations, making sure your guests are happy etc - don't actually get much time with your child. Another date makes much more sense.

But also as others have said unlikely this year anyway. My DD is 5 at beginning of Jan - if we're able I'm thinking of trying an outdoor staged party where a few friends come at different time slots - but even that may be ruled out by then.

Persipan · 19/10/2020 10:05

Oh, bless her. My birthday's a few days later but even then, absolutely nobody has ever cared about it in the slightest. (My own mother once gave me tea towels she bought in the sales, with the price tag still attached.)

So, with that in mind, I'm going to disagree slightly with others - and, indeed, with what I'd normally say (which is that one year olds aren't remotely concerned with birthdays so why bother) - and suggest you might use whatever you do as a sort of audition process for finding something people will get on board with, so when she's big enough to care herself you have an established plan and it's part of people's mental calendar of stuff that happens.

The issue with trying to celebrate then is, firstly, as you say, everyone is probably hung over (well, the parents, anyway), but also they've all run out of money and probably made resolutions which preclude doing anything interesting. So, definitely nothing that requires them to spend much, and make sure there are options to avoid basically any imaginable foodstuff because the parents will all have suddenly decided they're vegan, or don't eat sugar, or aren't doing gluten, or whatever.

Assuming covid doesn't scupper things, I would suggest that the natural solution to all these problems is to find a lovely, child-friendly brunch venue - preferably one that's a bit woo in terms of menu choices - and just have a really nice, laid-back get together. Go for a Sunday morning vibe. That way you can make it something lovely that everyone looks forward to, rather than oh-good-grief-now-a-birthday-party-too?

seayork2020 · 19/10/2020 10:08

I think we bought ds a cupcake and stuck a candle in it, I am not sure what to suggest as you baby will just be there they can't join in so whatever the adults want to do? Afternoon tea?

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