What did you/will you do for the first birthday?

[tu123]

Hubby is obsessed with a big party. I never had parties when i grew up so it is not such a huge thing. I was happy with a quiet one at home alone.

However, he rang today to tell me he has just paid for 4hours at our local hall for a party.

He hasnt thought any of this through. Lil has like three "friends" to come to this massive hall

What shall we serve? Crudites, hummus, home made pizza and sandwiches?

I cant see us doing pass the parcel! There are tables and chairs but no highchairs-where will they eat?

Any tips?

 

[Maman]

thats cute! what about a teddy bears picnic? put a big blanket on the floor, invite family, friends, anyone whos been around for babys first year.

on my lo first birthday in the daytime we had an indoor picnic, in my little dining room, i did sandwiches, blueberries, sausage rolls (finger foods) and i put lots of toys out, basically a bit like a stay and play session.

On the evening i invited our friends, family, parents of the kids who came to the party and we had a houseparty. i let lo stay up till he was tired and when he went to bed he was so tired that he wasnt disturbed by the noise, and we all partied on. It was such a memorable day/night and a really nice way for evryone to celebrate our son

 

[Odd Socks]

we had a little tea party at home with bella's little friends. i think it was easier doing that than a hall because we had her toys for the babies to play with rather than having to provide entertainment somewhere else. other people i know have done soft play "parties" (just meeting there & providing their own cake etc) or had something at a buffet restaurant. we served finger foods - little sandwiches, crisps, fruit, dips, breadsticks etc & i made a couple of dozen cupcakes (so there were plenty for adults as well). it was a couple of hours, & that was long enough for everyone
xx

 

[New Mrs W]

TBH I would have just had a tea party at home for Frankie but all my friends were having parties so I too caved!! I hired our local church hall for a couple of hours (2-4 so that people wouldn't be expecting loads of food!!) I did some sandwiches, some veg sticks for babies, fruit salad for babies, pizzas and crisps. I baked his cake and also did some colourful cupcakes, jam tarts and scones. I set out a few tables with chairs (no high chairs for us either). We are lucky that there is a playgroup at the hall we used so we got out all the toys they use and so the babies were happy to play with those. I made cups of tea for the mummies and daddies who came. I invited Frankie's "friends" (the children of my friends!!!) and I invited our families too (coming from an Irish Catholic family, we had lots to invite). I put on a baby music CD and let everyone do their own thing. No pass the parcel, no games. We did sing happy birthday and give out party bags, but other wise it was just a gathering and everyone had a natter and a cup of tea while the babies and children played together. TBH I thought it went really well and was just long enough at 2 hours long.

Hope you have fun!! Post photos! xx

PS Can you believe they are 1/nearly 1 already??

 

[tu123]

Thanks ladies. it sounds like you all had great days

I really cant believe she is a one month from being a whole year old! This time last year i had one more week of work before my Mat' leave started!

No toys was what i considered. I think i'll have to bring along a big crate of toys. We have two of those rubber baskets full of toys at home so we can just bring those.

And i LOVE shopping for decorations!

 

[pinklizzy]

We've hired a hall too, even with just close family there are a lot of us and I didn't want the stress of having to try and fit everyone into our house-it would involve far too much tidying up!
Like New Mrs W, the hall is used by the playgroup so we can use some of the toys and I'm planning to take a few of LO's as well. Other than that will just be teas and cakes with some finger food. I'm really looking forward to it!

 

[tu123]

I hear you on the tidying up! LO makes enough mess by herself let alone family and other babies throwing food all over the place!

 

[MrsPoodle]

C's first birthday is bank holiday monday, so we're going to do a BBQ in our garden. Hopefully weather will be nice, it usually is end of May!

 

[bellablue]

We are going to do a family party at the beach house its in april so should be nice out mainly adults all family good food great cake presents and a coupleother children

 

[Seity]

We gave him a small slice of ice cream cake after his dinner. Just me, my OH, and MIL watching via Skype as he ate it.

 

[amygwen]

I threw him a little party, it wasn't much as we don't have many baby friends and or friends IRL so it was mostly just family and a few friends and their kids (they're a bit older). We went to a restaurant and rented out a small pavilion outside, the restaurant also had a playground for the kiddies. We had a lot of fun, I didn't want to do anything because I thought I may have regretted it later on. We provided some chips & salsa, hummus & crackers, cheese and bread. Also iced tea and we told people prior if they wanted alcohol they would have to buy it themselves!

For his actual birthday, we went out for a nice brunch, went to a playground and came home, opened pressies & just played with all his gifts. It was nice and relaxed.

 

[Bingo]

We had people round for a BBQ which was great although next year we'll hire a venue, food and decorations (someone else to blow up all the balloons!) so it's stress free and we can just show up and enjoy the day without having to worry about cooking/preparing the food and cleaning up.

 

[LockandKey]

I can see it now, an outdoor vintage style garden party with tea and cookies, vintage type decorations, invitations, and thank you gifts. Maybe put DD in a sweet vintage tutu dress and I will make the angel food cake, chocolate whipped cream topping with strawberries and blueberries, a mini one of the same just for her

 

[tu123]

I can see it now, an outdoor vintage style garden party with tea and cookies, vintage type decorations, invitations, and thank you gifts. Maybe put DD in a sweet vintage tutu dress and I will make the angel food cake, chocolate whipped cream topping with strawberries and blueberries, a mini one of the same just for her

AW! That is lovely!

I mentioned to my hubby last night a tutu dress

 

[daddiesgift]

I think a tea party sounds lovely! I think as long as baby has some cake to get messy in and mom and dad around all will be great! Id dress her up for sure for pictures.

Our son will be having his 1st birthday at Euro Disney in Paris ! Silly I know since he wont remember it at all but we live in Germany and will be heading back to America before he turns two so we figured why not! It will just be me, his dad and him and we plan to take lots of pictures that way he can look back when he is older and at least think it was pretty cool! And if I said my husband and I arent excited for ourselves id be lying, we are big kids at heart and now that we have a child we have an excuse to watch cartoons all day and go to disney!