First birthday party help!

[katanneh]

Our little boy will turn one in September and we are starting to think about how to celebrate it.

Having had almost my entire pregnancy and most of his first year in lockdown, a big celebration feels alien and maybe even intimidating. It used to be something we did regularly.

My husband and I both have families 1-2 hours away so coming for a couple of hours is not always doable for them. At the same time, them staying over after a big party feels a bit much quite a party as well. We have lots of friends in our community here: both childless and with children...

Where do we start on this planning?! Your party experiences and ideas welcome.

Thank you ♥️

We just did a tea party with family. Who does your child normally see?

I would just have friends around for a light lunch and cake for 2 hours or so. Invite close friends and family. They can choose to find themselves accommodation if you can't put them up and they drive back. That said, we have family 2 hours away and we drive to see them for birthdays and such and drive back the same day (we did it for Christmas a couple years ago as we had nowhere else we could stay). If it matters enough to be there, they'll find a way.

In terms of the party, I would go lowkey. They won't remember it and birthday parties can be a lot of work. I'd just have something easy (soup or cold buffet) and cake and just enjoy the day and spending time with people.

I didn't have a party for DCs 1st. It's really for the parents more than the child/children. DC still needed a couple of naps at that age and a party would have been tiring for him as he'd have wanted a nap or get very irritable with all the fuss.

We just took him to a farm and had family visit across the week.

DD turned 1 in September last year. We had just family over (all live 1-2 hours away as well). About 13 people total. Tbh you don't really have to do anything special. The party is really just for you as your baby won't have a clue what's going on!

Party wise, people arrived about 10 and passed around DD while I got everything ready. We had a buffet lunch, cake, then DD went down for her nap (she had already dropped to one at this point). We chatted, played some games on the Switch (Jackbox party games are good fun, but very much adult only) until the birthday girl graced us once again with her presence. She got passed around some more, opened her presents and had lots of photos taken. After this, people started heading for home. Just chilled and chatted with those left, before having some takeaway pizza for dinner and putting the worn out birthday girl to bed.

It was a really lovely day, and I'm quite looking forward to doing it again this year.

My DD turned 1 a week ago and we just kept it small - it was just me, her dad, my mum, my sister and my auntie. We done presents in the morning before morning nap and a cake smash after lunch before her second nap and that was it really. She had no idea what was happening.

We just kept it small too - immediate family only. Honestly they're the only ones that care that your baby is turning one.

We just blew up a load of balloons and left them in the living room all over the floor. He spent ages just crawling after them. Honestly 1 year birthdays arent that great. The baby doesnt know whats going on. Its really just a chance for adults to catch up together.

I would probably keep a big party for when dc us a little older.
I'd tell family they are welcome either on the weekend of the Birthday or another close date that's convenient for everyone and have a cake on hand and take a few photos.
On the day itself I'd have an open house so friends can pop in for a cuppa and cake and maybe some bubbles or such-like for their dc to play with in the garden ( or a kids channel on the TV and some sweeties and juice if the weather's not too good) but I'd not be hosting a formal party.

We had a party for all our DC turning 1 OP. We have a large garden so did a bbq for DS2 who is a summer baby and hired a hall with soft play & small bouncy castle for DC1 & 2. They’ve all been brilliant.
Would you do it at home? Can you accommodate the numbers on your garden? September would be nice for a garden party. Costco & M&S do party platters which is easier than having to faff around yourself.