Birthday party for a 1yr old.

[MistressMary]

Thinking about a party for my boy and don't want to go to mad with it, but need inspiration for food,cake,etc. Any suggestions welcome.

before he turns one that is. cheeky Mistress Mary. Thanks.

Bumping this up for you MM!!

Is it a party just for family? I've tended not to do anything for 1st birthdays really as they are not so aware at that age. I think for ds1 we just had my Mum, Dad and brothers over for tea and we had a few balloons for him and a cake.

For ds2 we were away in The Lakes for a short break - again I think we just had Mum and Dad with us and did him a cake but no big fuss.

ds3 might get a family and friends get together in the garden, bbq type affair as it will be next August.

Hope some more inspirational thoughts come along!!

If you are planning to have a few of his mates around, if you can, hire some small tables and chairs (v cheap)- it is great to sit them all down at the table, put a few bits of food on the table (basically bits of fruit, sandwiches, rice cakes...) and sit back and watch! It is sooo cute to watch them tucking away - then have the birthday cake and some wine/champers for the adults.

Hi MM
I think when a baby is 1 year old, you have to admit the fact that the party is for you, not for them, because they're not aware they're the excuse for it!

We had a great party for both my kids' first birthdays - no children, apart from those of my adult friends, who all came for big barbie (summer babies) and lots of wine. Both one year olds appeared for about half an hour to an hour, were cooed over by everyone, fussed over by Grandma, and slept the rest of the way through. The other kids just ran around and played. Good time had by all and subsequent parties were in the same vein until DS's fifth, when I could no longer get away with it and had to integrate pass the parcel and schoolfriends... make the most of not having to do that, you'll get sick of kidzone or Monkeybizz or McDonalds by the time he's ten...
Just make sure you have a case of wine, the other details will take care of themselves.

Cheers I guess we feel we have to do something because it's his first birthday but also aware that he really doesn't understand.
I guess a good reason for a knees up anyhow and keeping it low key with close family and friend or two. Thanks.