First Birthday ~ the Big 1 Year ~ PLEASE HELP!!

I went throuh the same thing last year. My son is turning 2 on Valentines day. I was so excited about his first birthday that I wanted something formal and fancy. My family lives in Philly so it ended up just being me, my son and husband. (with cake) It was perfect! I visited my family soon after and they threw a family gathering for a late celebration. It was ok, but I enjoyed the "us time" better than the party. I guess what I'm trying to say is spend her birthday with close family and save the party for another weekend or next year when she'll enjoy the attention. Hope it helps...

One thing I always did, thanks to advise from my best friend is a mash cake just for baby. You can buy them at any store, its the little round cake, just take her cloths off (and I mean all of them) and after you sing, put her cake in front of her and let her go to town. Its a fun thing. If you don't want something to long, try Chuckie cheese, its not to expensive, and someone else gets to clean up the mess! Good luck and Happy Birthday to your little one!

Iam a party planner! there are a few questions that I would need to ask you before really giving suggestions. Call me if you would like. That would save me lots of time time. you can use my ideas or I can help you directly. I have five children ages 20, 18, 12, 10 and 22 months. my number is ###-###-####. I live in Hyde Park. I attend Moody Church. Just call me. It will be a lot lot easier to discuss over the phone.~P. Blackman

Hi L.,

A friend of mine hired a singer to come to her house. There were quite a few kids there from infants to 7 yrs old and they had a great time with her. I think she sang for about 30-45 min. She also used props for some of the songs and got the kids & parents to participate.

She also sent each child with a goodie bag, which I thought was nice. They each recieved a mini sized book and non-toxic bubbles in a cute bag.

I thought it was a fantastic idea. If you're interested, I could find out the name of the company my friend used.

Have fun and enjoy your child's first birthday!!

I remember my son's first birthday, however, he does not. You can really do or not do whatever you want. I invited my friends, there was only one other child there, (same age). The kids played together, sort of. I had a chance to actually sit and talk with my friends, we had some food, although right now, I couldn't tell you what it was. I had it at my home and I did decorate with multi-colored balloons, streamers, etc. My son did get the proverbial 1st birthday picture with cake all over his face, but really it was my party and I enjoyed it immensely.

Do whatever YOU want to do for this 1st birthday, the rest will be for your daughter, this one's for YOU!

J. Penfield
www.teamwahu.com
____@____.com
###-###-####

Hi L.,
On my sons Ist birthday I keep it simple. My mother-in-loaw bought him a cake shaped like a one. We had ice cream and hotdogs and chips and juice. It lasted about 1 1/2 because he was still young. He still did't like a lot of people around and he was getting irrtable. We invited family only. To keep it simple we had it right after his nap so he would not be to tried and made sure it didn't last to long. We opened presents later at home and sent out thank you cards with pictures of him opening his gifts.

We made it a fun get together from 1-3pm. not too long, they can play and poop out for 2nd nap. We served a buffet, meatballs, pasta, salad, and of course cake and ice-cream. Since my girls Bday is around Thanksgiving, we asked for canned food donations in lieu of presents. she didn't really know how to open them--it would've taken FOREVER! Some people brought presents anyway, and her father and I opened them with the guest and thanked them right there. Then we sent a thank you card. We gave little goodie bags with dollar store stuff like suggested before. bubbles, board books, etc. A small cute thing is perfectly acceptable and easy. and all you really need is a picture of them with the cake. Enjoy!

Don't stress over it too much.. just have a good time.. one word of advice it to get her a smash cake.. but very important... get wipped cream frosting instead of buttercream (you will have a heck of a time getting that buttercream frosting off her) trust me... even a bath is dificult...

Also.. I recomend books instead of candy.. but that is me for the parting gift.

Good luck.

I agree - keep it simple! Your daughter will likely be overwhelmed if a lot of people are around - we did family only (last weekend!), and it was still a bit much for my son. Especially when everyone gathered around to sing happy birthday!! We also got him a cake, just for him to play with - and thank goodness we did - he LOVED it. It was a pile of mush when he finished! We recently went to another 1st bday party, and there were lots of little kids, so my friend made little treat bags - nothing fancy - just a little paper bag with handles, and the child's name written on it. I think she went to the dollar store and found lots of goodies - bubbles, a little car, a board book, another board book with a music CD, and some Gerber snacks. For food, she served make your own tacos, and had margaritas/beer/wine for the adults. At my son's party, we ordered a 4 foot sub sandwich, veggie and fruit trays, had cheese & crackers and other finger foods. Good luck!!

Ultimately the 1st birthday is for the family and you, as the child has no idea what is going on. Our families and very close friends were invited, which still seemed like a huge crowd in our house, but I told anyone else we were just doing family only. My daughter was totally overwhelmed still b/c there were about 30 people. We just had people for 2 hrs with appetizers and cake, she opened presents, and then everyone left. It was nice for everyone to be able to see her, but at that age she didn't much care what was going on anyway. The nice thing about a May birthday, I'd imagine, is that if it's a nice day people can go outdoors and visit and kids can run around. Good luck, whatever you decide to do!

I agree with the post that you should do what YOU enjoy because your daughter really won't remember anything and as long as you have the picture of her and any cake (I also agree that having a small on just for her - I made my daughter a cupcake) is fun.

Regarding gifts for kids that come. I went to the dollar store, and in addition to some books, I gave each child a mylar balloon to take home. I heard from the other mom's that the balloon was the favorite thing! And they last for weeks.

Have fun. Try not to stress about it - just do what you like!

All I know is that you don't want to do Chuck e Cheeze. My sons b-day is 2/16. And I've been planing for months and will probibly will be paying 4 it for months as well. I figured with kid of all ages going im looking at 20 kids ranging from 4mo and 13 so i went 4 chuck e cheese. The longer I look into it the worse it seems too much$$$$$$

We actually invite everyone to our child's 1st birthday. We had almost 80 people. We rented a room. I had a singer come for 30 or 45 minutes for the kids and my son liked it too. I had trays of sandwiches from Jimmy Johns, chips, potato salad, cole slaw, and 2 cakes b/c we had so many people.... a big cake and a cupcake cake (a big hit with the little ones). I did get a little smash cake for my son. I did not need to take off all of his clothes, a bib was fine. THe party was only 1 1/2 hrs b/c he was little and still needed 2 naps.