A Party for a One Year Old?

As with every baby deserves a baby shower, I think every Baby should have a 1st birthday party,Small or Big Just to reach that milestone and see family and friends you do not normally see, just to see how the baby has grown.....Just my opinion but everyone is different.

my daughter is 5 years old but ihad a prty for her first birthday . I mean i dont think its important to have a party but even if it was just you two and had a small cake a a small present or two. My daughters first birthday was just family and we had cake and gifts.
I live in Chatham NJ. I dont work and have FIVE YEAR OLD DAUGHTER and i hAVE BEEN IN a relationship for two years.

I have 3 children 12, 8 & 3 and I really only had a party for my first 2 children, by the third, i realized that my children didnt even really know what was going on and they had a little fun but not enough for all the money I spent on the parties!!! I would recommend just to have an inexpensive party to celebrate her first year in the world with family and friends. Have fun and Happy first birthday!!!!!!!!!

I think first partys are for the parents..My son is 2 and we have a party each year for him..But it is only due to the sizes of our families. and Our partys are BBQ's since he is an August Baby. I dont think that she feels deprived since she didnt have a party Just my 2 cents

First birthdays are definitely more for the family than the child. Our daughter is only 7 months, but we are planning a huge party for her first birthday. As time passes our families are slowly growing apart and any chance we get to have everyone all together we are going to. Family is very important to us, and having them there to celebrate the most important thing in our lives will lead to a very wonderful and memorable day.

Hello, sorry this is late but I would agree with some of the other moms. The first birthday is pretty much just for the family, most likely she won't remember any of it. Now I am gonna give you a bit of different advice, the holidays are just passing by and I am sure that she had plenty of excitement. You said that shes happy and she knows that you love her anyway. If you don't feel it necessary to have a party then don't. This is your child and regardless of what anyone thinks she will always know that you love her either way. I come from a family that was very large and we could not afford such things, all of my sisters still knew we were loved and never cared about not having a party because it was just being together that mattered. I hope that this helps and either way you go, she will always think your supermom!

You don't need to invite many people, she won't remember it... but have a cake, it's not too late even now... and GET PICTURES OF IT. As she gets older she may wonder why you didn't at least celebrate it for her, even with just you and she! I'd get one present even if it's from the dollar store, wrap it, have a cake, sing happy birthday, let her blow out the candles or help her do it, let her open the present whatever it is, and get pictures of all this. Then when she looks back she'll know you went thru the motions of a birthday party, no matter how small or late, because you love her and wanted to celebrate in some small way. That's what I did for most of my kids when they turned one! It's not worth a huge birthday party that they won't even remember, that's so unnecessary. It's also, to me, like saying to people "please come to a party so we can get gifts", I think taht's cheezy.

i dont think that the baby will remember that you didnt give her a 1st b day party just give her a cake and some raped up presents sing happy birthday and take some pics(the pics are what matter)so she can see her get together.

Hi

My daughther is 16 mons we had a party for her at daycare. I wanted to go all out for her party because of all the talk other parents were saying. I called all around trying to get a face painter and clown.. To my disappontment neither could make it for the day I had planned.. I thought omg my childs party will be the talk of the town on how boring it was. So I proceed with the party anyway. I had two cakes,ice cream, doggy bags and gifts for the winner of the games we planned. To my amazement me child slept 75% of her birthday party. Am glad they were booked. Just keep it simple hope see has a happy birthday.

I have a 17 month old and a 3 year old, & I gave them both a party for their first birthday. I think it was more for our family. My kids did play with the other kids who were older. I would say yes.

I gave my sona birthday party in a hall when he turned one. It's a big birthday, especially for me since it took me so long to have him. (He'll be 4 this Feb) Now I have a party in the house every year. Good luck. Happy new Year.

Happy Holidays.....I gave my son a 1yr old b-day party w/ family & friends there was about 70 people very unexpected b/c I only invited 40 but people bought extra kids w/ them which was fine I was well prepared.......I had a clown and cookie monster combo and my son cried, laughed and took his first steps so being that he is my only child it was the best experience Ive ever had......I say do it and invite family and friends no matter the age bc just the pictures and the look on her face will be enough...Good Luck S.

Hi there. I am in the middle of planning my daughter's first b'day party. She will be one in March. I have a small house so I decided to rent our church hall for the occasion. I am planning on having a local italian restaurant supply the food...just going to make it easy...zitti, salad, some kind of chicken. I know my mom and other relatives will help out too. Costo makes great cakes here too. I just love having my family together and I want everyone to share in my daugher's first b'day. I don't plan on doing this every year but it is a big celebration to me. I think looking back she will appreciate all the loved ones being around her. These days it good to celebrate happy occasions. However, I am scared of all the toys she will get....we are still trying to find the floor after Christmas. If you can't do a big celebration, just do something that you feel is special with your daughter...she will still love you the same.

Even though this is way to late...I think everyone should have a 1st birthday party! I am making a scrapbook for my older daughter now and one of my favorite pictures of her is of her and her birthday cake. She had fallen asleep in her cake! You didn't need to do a big, huge party, you never do. But you should atleast give her a party, even if it is just you and your child.

I would agree with a few of the others who have responded...a party for a one year old is definitely more for the family than the child. Having said that let me say that I think you absolutely should have a party for your daughter! My daughter is now 5 and we had a HUGE party for her first birthday and it was so much fun! You don't have to do anything on a grand scale like we did (both my husband and I have large families so anything we do is on a bigger scale...that's why we eloped!:) If you are questioning whether or not to have a party maybe do something small with a few close friends of yours and whatever family you have around, if any. It's just a way to celebrate her first year and an opportunity for everyone to see "the birthday princess" and gush over her. She will probably be interested in a few gifts and unwrapping them and she will definitely like smooshing her hands in a piece of cake (priceless on video!) You will look back on her party day with fond memories, just make sure to have someone else take pictures as you will be too busy to do it yourself. Maybe have a party in a few weeks when everyone has recovered from the holidays? Your daughter won't know the difference! My bottom line is that I LOVED my daughter's first birthday party and am so glad we threw her one. Celebrate her first year with her and the people who are important in your life. Let us know what you decide to do...good luck!

my daughter is socially frightened and we had a first party for her on the 20th. definnetley more for others than for her. she would have been happier at home

My family traditional ddoes a big welcome to the family type thing at one... well the b-day boy was to little to play really with anyone. shoved cake in his face and while people were saying ill never get him to bed .. he passed out before presents. was it a waist of time.. not for me got to see the whole family and my husbands all our friends. was it for the kid... YUP.

My daughter is four now, I had a party for her when she was one and after it was all over told myself and my mother she's not having another party until she's 5. They don't have the attention for it and too many people can actually spoil the fun. They get easily stressed out at that age. Wait until she's older and can help mommy pick out the party theme like my little pony or dora, etc. My daughter will be 5 this July and we are planning a party for her. She hasn't had a "birthday party" since she was one but I don't feel guily about it one bit. This time she can help me and actually be able to enjoy opening presents and eating lots of cake!

Don't stress it. Have some good ole fun mommy and me time! Celebrate on a more intimate level with your daughter.

I know this comes a little late but here it is. For my first two (much older) children we had a family thing and I baked them each an individual cake. I also had a bigger cake for the family. For my third child it was just him, my husband and myself. We had cake and ice cream for dessert after dinner. Also, there were a few presents for each of my kids (on their respective birthdays) for them to rip into. They had fun and so did the rest of us.

I would say give her a party even though she may not comprehend the concept. Its always something fun to do. I threw my son a party every year up until this year (2006) he's 3 now but I am waiting to throw him something bigger this year. I found some great places and have a ton of ideas.
When I do his parties I have his number cakes made and I always find ceramic dolls for the adults that bring there kids. I also dont know too many kids his age. So I would say throw it.

Hello,

I just thought I'd mention my experience incase it can help you. My son turned 1 on November 30th and on Dec 2 we celebrated his first birthday. We just had a small gathering of family and closed friends. My close friends only consisted of friends who have some kind of connection to my son, because I only know 1 year old. I made loot bags for all the adults and instead of toys I had elmo note pads that they can use. We even had a pinata and all the adults took turns hitting it. It was alot of fun because it was small and only close people to my son. I mostly did it so he can have pictures of his birthday. It wasn't necessary but it was a day of fun. I this helps you. Good luck and definetly let me know what you end of deciding to do.

M.

Happy Birthday to your daughter. We planned a small party for our daughter Lucy, just us and Grandma. There are the photos of her actual birthday with her own little cupcake. Your standard cake and icing smeared everywhere.

When word got out that we had actually managed to make it to a year with this little person, my husband's musician friends, along with some others, descended upon our house and played "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" in the basement the weekend following her birthday. I was ready to take Lucy to a quiet corner in case she got overwhelmed but she did fine.

I don't think one-year-olds socialize with each other anyway, so going to that kind of trouble might just be more stress for you. You're the one, ultimately, who will have to do all the work so ask yourself if you're feeling up to it. A kid's favorite gift is probably 100% of your attention (like they don't get that on every other single day, anyway!)

Whatever you do, have fun. Remember, it's supposed to be a celebration.

Let us know how things went.
I had a party for my oldest, but it wasn't so much a party as it was just family. It was my aunt, me, and him. We went over to her house and his present was a little mini cake decorated just for him. We put him on the floor with the cake between his legs and just let him have a ball. everything went into that cake, fingers, hands, legs, toys. Didn't matter though. He ate some of it especially the oreo's. (it was an oreo cake).
the first birthday is mostly for us. They won't remember it. But at least do something for the photo's and such. We didn't even have it on the right day. We waited till the weekend afterwards.
Take Care,
M.*

hi, i know that everyone does things differently....but everyone i know has a party (even if it's just immediate family, mom, dad, baby, any siblings, and grandparents). I feel that it's nice to have a party for the child, even if it's with all children older than your child. it's nice to have the pictures, and memories. i personally will be having a 1st birthday party for my daughter in the beginning of April. We will be having 2 friends with their children (ages 2, 1 1/2, and 8), my mother, grandmother, brother, and possibly my aunts and uncles, and my husband's mother, and his sisters with their children (ages ranging from 7-20). We are doing this pretty much for everyone else, but we're not putting out all the money for it. It will be in my grandmother's house, with everyone making something to eat (so we don't have to spend a fortune) we will only have to put out money for decorations, drinks, and the cake (which makes things SO much easier!) if you don't want all that many people, it's not a problem. i think that just having mommy, daddy, and baby there with a small cake is FINE!!! just get a cake before the end of the day, cut a nice size piece of cake for your child, and take plenty of pictures! then straight to the bath! LOL!!! just don't feel bad about not having a party, like you said, it's all about her, and not everyone else. just remember that she'll enjoy seeing that you did SOMETHING for her when she's older, and as long as the most important people in her life are there, that's all that matters. plus if you did want a couple other people there, you could just do something small and quick this comming up weekend...birthdays arent always celebrated on the exact day. I hope i was able to help in any possible way.

From what i have experienced the 1st birthday party's are more for the parents then anything. for our son we just had a small cake, some balloons and the grandparents and he was very happy with that. At that age they don't even know it is their birthday or what it means. so my opinion is to make or get some cupcakes and take some pictures. She won't remember it anyways.

Hi, T.!

I had a party for my daughter when she turned one. It was mostly my friends and family and any children that I knew. There may have been about five kids there - two were her cousins, one was a daughter of my friend who was the same age. She was happy with the other kids there and the birthday cake and presents!!

Have fun whatever you decide!

Happy New Year! And happy birthday to your little girl!

:-)
Deb

I personally don't think it is/was necessary. She doesn't really understand at her age. Years to come; probably. Happy birthday to your daughter. Happy New Year!!

hi T.! I had a party for my daughter first birthday. It was in our apartment but we ordered a nice cake, and cooked a lot food and decorated and had about 25 guests. I've been to all kind of different first birthdays though, big ones that were in a rented space and catered and very small, in their home with just a simple dinner with 5 guests.They were all very nice though, regardless of the size and the babies have all seemed equally happy to me. I think one year old parties are really so the parents and families have something to remember. It's really up to you...I'm sure your daughter will be happy either way.

Hello & Happy Birthday to your daughter! I don't know if this will help but I hope so. My daughter will be 3 in March, when she turned one I did not know anyone else w/ kids so we had a family birthday party. She didn't really understand what was going on but had a blast with all of the attention she got not to mention the few gifts! There wasn't a lot of people...just a few but she had a good time. Of course doesn't remember it but she does look through her photo album and says that this was her birthday so.....Whatever you decide should be good...party or no party! Jusy have fun!