1St Birthday - Lone Tree,CO

I agree with Kimberly...this party should really be about you and all you've accomplished in the last year! Invite YOUR friends and some family and do things for yourself. A friend of mine got a babysitter for the night of her son's first birthday so she and her husband could go out and celebrate. i thought that was a nice idea. Every future birthday party will be about the child. It's OK to make this one about you.
Congrats!

We just do family and close friends for the first year or two. If you don't know the parents, don't invite them. The kids will be over stimulated and cranky if there are too many people. A good rule of thumb is one friend per year of age. At a year the party is really just for the parents.

Close friends and family are great for the first year or two and a great place to get some fun ideas is www.birthdaypartyideas.com

Hi there,
First off, it's always appropriate to be invited to a party, and those other mommies will appreciate you including their child. That can only be seen as gracious, inclusive and completely positive.
As far as party ideas, think of something that your little girl likes...a favorite book maybe...?? i.e. Goodnight Moon, and you could have a moon and stars party for your "little shining star." I could help you with the poem-like wording on the invitation if you want. I did a bug party for my son when he turned one, and made a caterpillar cake, and decorated with flowers and grass. The same could be done for your daughter with a ladybug cake, etc. Ultimately, she won't be too aware of what's what, but you'll remember that you made it special for this monumental occasion.
L.
mom of three

We went all out of for our son's first birthday, but it was more for us than it was for our son. We invited close friends and family, but we also invited our playgroups. We had about 100 people. I don't know if I would invite people I don't know for a first birthday. You will have plenty of time for that when your kids are older and they want to invite their friends that you don't necessarily know their parents.

At this age a party would be more for you than her. She won't remember it in a few weeks and may not get much pleasure out of it either. Get family and close friends and celebrate your joy with having her in your lives.

This party is for you and your family, invite your family and friends, enjoy this special day! For all my kids we just had a small party at our home, the grandparents love this!

I've heard the guideline of inviting one child for each year old your child is turning. Obviously a party with one person isn't possible. My point is don't over do it. One year olds don't play with each other or interact much. It will only cause you stress and take away from your enjoyment if you have a house full of people you don't know. We did family only parties for both of our boy's 1st b-days. That was about 10-12 people including grandparents, great grandparents, and one aunt. I would leave day care out of it completely. If you don't have family around, maybe invite your best family friend(s). We did the same family only thing for 2nd birthday's too.