Ideas for Inexpensive 1St Birthday Brunch? ~

I just wanted to add that if purchasing or making a cake is too expensive or time-consuming, consider purchasing a plain cake from Costco. You can ask them to only frost it in their plain white frosting with the shell border, then you can take it home to decorate it yourself. If you have talent in cake decorating, of course you can do whatever you're able to do. However if you're like me (cake-decorating challenged!) you can just get a jar or two of multicolored sprinkles and scatter them on the cake and put a nice #1 candle in the middle. It will be festive AND simple! I think the cakes run around $17-20 for the big sheet cakes.

Otherwise, enjoy this special day! It might also be a good idea to have someone elisted to be the 'photographer' who you trust to take nice photos. That way you can participate and be in some of the birthday photos. After your child starts really smashing the cake then you can get behind the camera and snap your own shots :) I can't tell you how many family events where I am not in a single shot because I was the only one snapping pictures!

Have fun!

You can try Costco for something like that for some dishes and things but even that can get pricey. In the past I've done buffet style brunches like eggs, fruit, homemade bagel pizzas, pigs in a blanket, mini pancakes, chicken nuggets, salads, veggie and dip, and any other kind of easy finger foods. It's easy on you and the guests cause everyone can mingle and eat how much they want. Have fun.

We did a luau because the food was pretty cheap to make, and decorations were available everywhere including yard sales. Kalua pork is super easy and its one of the cheapest cuts of meat. Then theres fruit from farmers markets (plus a pinapple). Lots of other dishes are possible too. I can send you some more ideas or a recipe if you personal message me.

A.
www.snuggleandread.com

If your home is not big enough to have the party in ask family or friends if you could have the party there. Also if you attend church and they have a fellowship hall ask to use that. Ask some family members if they would help you with the food.Decorate from Dollar tree and with balloons. The important thing is that every one has a good time, not how much money was spent.

Hi,

One idea could be to get cold cuts/cheese, large fresh croissants, make a veggie/fruit tray and make a yummy carrot cake for all. I personally love doing themed parties and for my sons first it was all rubber duckies, if you want to know more email me and I'll be happy to share. Good Luck!

Sorry you have to wean then work but it was wonderful that you got to be there for the first whole year!

I like to make my girls' birthday cakes and have always used the bug theme for their 1st one. I used the Pampered Chef mixing bowl to make a ladybug and a bee cake for my older ones and plan to use it again for the 8 month old. I use a box mix and use half of the yellow cake batter in the bowl and the other half to make cupcakes. I use whipped topping with a little bit of vanilla whipped icing and fruit (strawberries for red & lemon peel with food a little food coloring for yellow)) with spots or strips of bluberries. The girls eat their own cake (they loved it) and the guests ate cupcakes.
Never did brunch but make pulled pork(McCormick packed) and picnic style spread.
Have fun!

I just wanted to throw an idea out there...I do personalized candy wrappers and cute Hershey kiss labels, you could put Happy 1st birthday on the bottom..or make cute favor boxes to give to your guests. Suckers are another cute one for the kids, I can do sucker cards with picture of your little one on it. I have some listed on my site I can personalize all items for free...and anyone who orders that is a mamasource member gets an additional 10% off total order...(plus if you sign up to my site you get 5% off) so you could get a total of 15% off...
Just a great inexpensive way to make everyone have a cute keepsake to take home.
www.mommescakes.com
Good Luck, and have FUN with whatever you end up doing...
Angie

Why note potluck? Its family, and every cook has a favorite dish they love to share!
My daughters first birthday, we provided the meat (hamburgers, hotdogs) and family provided the rest.
Congrats!
M.

If you'd like to make this a themed event, I think it would be adorable to use a Great Escape theme. Years later, when you look back on this special first birthday, you will still laugh and laugh about all those lost diapers.

With 25 people in your home, likely to be many different ages, it's a good idea to have several different types of entertainment going. Rent a copy of "The Great Escape" and pop it into the DVD; the guys in the family will be enormously grateful to be able to legitimately watch a move during the party!

For decorations, hang strings of black top hats and white rabbits that you create yourself from posterboard, construction paper, or by printing them from computer clip art. A few silver stars suspended between the top hats and white rabbits will work well, too.

For an appropriate and easy centerpiece, visit a party supply store to purchase a black magician's top hat for a few dollars. Set it in the center of the table, and place a huge stuffed bunny inside, peeking over the edge. Scatter silver stars around the base. Put the centerpiece on a solid black tablecloth and your tabletop will look stunning! The cute bunny will tone down the drama and make it an appropriate tabletop for a 1-year-old with your Great Escape theme.

A black and white tabletop theme will be a very easy and striking way to compliment this theme. Pick up inexpensive packages of solid colored paper plates, plastic utensils and solid colored napkins (with 25 people, you don't want to wash dishes afterward!)

Use lots of black and white balloons....The star of the show is the perfect age to be fascinated by them!

Your invitations could feature the same black top hat with a rabbit peeking out, and say something like, "Throughout history, escape artists have held a special place in the hearts and esteem of the public....Harry Houdini...Theodore Hardeen...Harry Kellar...
The inside of the card could say, "But none has ever been more loved than Diaper Escape Artist (Your Child's Name) Come join us at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 1, as we celebrate a very special first birthday!"

I hope this idea is helpful to you. It's hard to come up with a fun theme for a multi-generational crowd for a 1-year-old's party, but I think this will be easy, inexpensive and fun for all. Best of all, it will be something your family can laugh about for years to come, as you remember the days of all those lost diapers!

That's cute to know you have a diaper changing escape artist. If your into cooking or have family members that wouldn't mind helping try going that route ,because it seems cheaper, not easier to give the B-Day baby a celebration in that manner. Or if the weather permits do a picnic type of setting at a nice park. Good luck and enjoy the day

The most inexpensive way to hold a brunch is go to a Costco or Sams Club and get a large dozen of eggs, in the bakery section get crossants or muffins they come in a pack of 12. Get some bacon and or sausages and cook them and that's it. Grab two gallons of frozen OJ and make or Tropicana and there you go

J.
www.northmetrodcmommies.com

Oh YEAH! Doing anything on a tight budget is my favorite! LOL! We have always had a 'buffet style' lunch for our children's birthdays. I will make a few dishes, ie.: tater-tot-casserole, a pan of tossed salad, chicken tenders/nuggets, homemade veggie tray and chips and dip or salsa. (The chicken can be put into a salad also.) What I had to learn, the hard way of course, is this is just a little for everyone not a full blown, 3-5 course meal. LOL! KEEP IT SIMPLE! People will feel so much better; more comfortable.

I know as a mom you are busy with everything that life throws your way daily; however, it costs so much less if we do things ourselves verses buying it already done. The veggie tray, I keep it to cucumbers peeled and sliced, carrots I buy a bag of the match sticks (they can cut them smaller than I can) and celery I cut into small sticks. I make Hidden Valley Ranch Buttermilk dressing from the packet for a dip and plus I can use this for a salad dressing too. I also make HV packet of DIP you add sour cream to for chip dip. Salsa I just buy a jar of mild salsa. Be sure to cut up enough of each item for a quart size zip top bag to refill the veggie tray when it gets low. I cut mine up the night before so I don't have to worry with it the next day. And I buy store brand chips. Your true friends and family are gonna love you no matter what, right?! LOL!

Tater-tot-casserole is so much better the next day. So I make mine either early that morning or late the night before. You will still have to heat it in the oven before they eat. You could always make it up the night before and put the tots on in the morning before you cook it. That has always been a hit here.

The salad I simply layer, in one of those disposable silver roasting pans or casserole pans that I get at the Dollar Tree, lettuce, cucumbers, onion rings, match stick carrots and cherry tomatoes. I cover and store in the fridge for the next day. Salad dressings ar the HV buttermilk ranch I made, Good Seasons Italian packet I made, small $1 bottle of French and Thousand Island. If my budget allows, I will get a $1 box of crutons too. I cut up some of the chicken nuggets/tenders and put in a dish by the salad.

I get the store brand chicken tenders/nuggets and bake them while everyone is mingling and eating on the veggies and chips. So when the chicken is done it's time to eat. I start them 30mins after the party time. This gives late folks time to get in. :)

We put a balloon on the mailbox for the birthday kid and one on the kid's chair. I cover the table with a colored table cloth from Dollar Tree or WalMart if they are less than a dollar. I get the cake plates (smaller ones) with the design on them that I want. Like a #1 with the bear we did for our youngest son's first B-day. And I get the small napkins to go with the cake plates. Then I pick a color from the design and that's the color plates and napkins I get at the Dollar Tree (or where ever they are cheap). So if I pick blue, then I would get the larger food plates,napkins and cups in blue. I use plastic forks and spoons. And what I don't use this year goes into a plastic zip bag and we use them the next year.

And we are lucky since Grandma makes the cake each year. Does anyone in your family make cakes? What a gift they could give if they would make your child's first birthday cake. Or maybe YOU are good at that.

Don't forget, the focus is on your little one. It's his/her birthday party, right? LOL! Have lots of FUN! They grow up so very fast!

Take Care,
N. :) SAHM homeschooling 3 boys 12, 8 & 2yrs old and married to my Mr. Wonderful for almost 15yrs. I love to help moms, who want to become SAHMs, reach that goal. If you or someone you know wants to become a SAHM, please email me at ____@____.com. Thanks!

DON'T HAVE IDEAS ON THE BIRTHDAY BUT IF YOUR CHILD IS TAKING OFF DIAPERS BY HIMSELF USE DUCT TAPE OUR INFANTS & TODDLERS NURSE TOLD US ABOUT THAT TRICK BECAUSE I HAVE TWO OF THEM.
THANK GOD THEY ARE NOW STARTING TO GET POTTY TRAINED THEY ARE THREE.
GOOD LUCK
L.

All of our parties have been held at home and we've done brunches before for our kids' birthday parties. Bagels, cream cheese, some cheese, butter, tuna salad, egg salad and sliced up tomato and onion. For dessert, fruit salad, cookies and birthday cake. For drinks, iced tea, coffee and OJ. If you have lots of kids in the family, I also like to get them yogurt drinks and juice boxes. For decorations, I stay away from the expensive birthday theme plates. Instead, I get cheaper solid color plates and cups, but get the birthday theme napkins. For a party favor, you can bake or buy sugar cookies and write the number 1 on them. For kids, bubbles always go over big. My kids are 5 and 2 and we've never hired entertainers for their parties. At this stage of the game, it just seems like they wouldn't appreciate it. HTH!

I have a good recipe for an egg/sausage casserole that you make the day before then pop into the oven. Pair this with some homemade muffins, bagels, toast, etc and a fruit salad & you've got a yummy, easy & inexpensive brunch. Last time I did a brunch with this, I also served some hash browns (my kids are older & eat a bit more :) If you'd like the recipe, just send me a message. Good luck & have fun!

Good Morning- Just make it very informal, with bagels and cream cheese, perhaps a few salads, including a nice fruit salad. We splurged and served fresh orange and grapefruit juice.

We had mylar and regular balloons strewn about and that was it! We put a piece of birthday cake in front of our daughter and began taking pictures of her getting the icing all over herself. She still loves to look at these pictures to this day and she is 15!! Best of luck.