What did you do for November birthday babies?

[december2020]

DS is turning 1 in November and I'm at a total loss of what to do/where to host his birthday (obviously he's too small to care, its more for the attendees).

Due to season, the obvious garden bbq/party isn't practical. Our house is a bit too small to host all family and friends at the same time without the garden for overspill if everyone attends, however we live away from the majority of family and friends so they'd be booking the weekend, travelling 3+h and staying in the area to come visit and a 'drop in between these times' isn't quite feasible either.

There would probably be a large majority of adults but 1-4 kids, probably closer to 1-2 (+ DS of course), that would need some level of entertainment/space to wander.

The other option is to host it closer to family, but I'd still need some venue ideas.

What have you done for first/early age winter birthdays? Please give me your advice and inspiration!

For DD's first birthday it really was a celebration for the family. I booked us a table in a restaurant and took her to a sensory play session for her before the meal. By her 2nd she had friends and we did soft play and a cake, and at home we did a party tea for just the immediate family.

My DD's birthday is October. For her 1st birthday we hired a room at a restaurant and had a meal with family. We brought toys with us for her and her cousins to play with before/after the meal. Because we had our own space (with a door), the kids were safe to play without getting in the way of servers/ other diners. We're just planning her 3rd birthday now, and we're hiring a hall with bouncy castle and soft play.

December baby!

We had a little tea party in the house, buffet, balloons, cake, the kids played with the toys.

I've been to 1 year old party at a venue and honestly the child done nothing but cry, it was too much for them.

I'd say 2/3 is the best age to organise a proper party.

Ds was born on November 5th!! The council pretty much organise his night every year!!

Another bonfire night baby, soooo handy (although not so much when he was younger and scared of the noise)

Just have immediate family round for tea and cake. It really doesn't need to be a big do in a fancy venue.

When DD was 1 we had SIL and her husband and MIL, plus us three - at home. It was plenty.

I have a November birthday and my twins almost do (1 December), previous years we haven't done much, just had cake and presents with family (babyhood, then covid) but this year, their 5th we will probably do a cinema trip. Choices are limited. Dc1 always had a party at home but her birthday was always sunny as summer so I could throw them out in the garden. Like heck would I want 20 5 year olds in my tiny house on a rainy winters day 😭

My DS is October and we had a party at the town hall. Hired some soft play, buffet etc. About 10 kids his age (from NCT etc) came and some cousins. Then our close family too. It was great, he loved it!

Thank you everyone for your inspiration!
I'd love to host it at home just for close family but with everyone travelling from afar (and not even including friends) I'm not sure how to comfortably fit 10-ish people without the garden for overspill.

Maybe I'm overthinking it.

Also love the idea of a soft play or something for the kids to wear them out (even just a normal session, no booked party thing) and then a meal somewhere after.

End of October here - up until age 4 we have always just done parties at home for family only and the odd close friend - just a buffet.