If you did not or are not having a big 1st B-day Bash?

What were your reasonings? Where u happy with the decision?

It's been determined that we are not having a big bash for DD first birthday. Primarily because our house is just too small. We won't be in a bigger house until the fall.
And DH and I really aren't big on restaurant parties - especially in the summer.
We will just have cake with immediate family.

If you did not or are not having a big 1st B-day Bash?

We are still debating. Like you, we don't have a big home to throw a party. Our parents have offered their homes, but neither are very centrally located to our guests. We have looked into several party places, but we're still so undecided because of expense. I would LOVE to throw a big party for her, though. It is just a space issue for us.

If you did not or are not having a big 1st B-day Bash?

We had a small party for DS first birthday. It was at home with about 10 adults including DH and I, and 5 kids total. The kiddies played in the living room, the men were in the backyard, and the women hung around the kitchen. It was perfect for us. We have a small apartment, so a big party isn't an option. Plus I figured at this age DS won't remember anything so I will go all out when he gets older.

If you did not or are not having a big 1st B-day Bash?

We didn't throw huge first b-day parties. We had my family together at my grandfather's house iwth a cake and then we had DH's family together with a cake at our house for DS 1. For DS 2, we had my family together again and then a cake with the grandparents and a friend for each of the boys.

We are only children so we can either just do small or our parties get big quickly (kind of if you invite one person you have to invite 10 more).

If you did not or are not having a big 1st B-day Bash?

I'm OOS and initailly I wanted to have DD's 1st birthday party back in NY with my family and friends BUT, my parents insisted that I have it at my own home and some family is flying in and I'm glad they forced that on me bc having it back east would have cost me a fortune. I would have had to rent a place and cater, etc.

Where we live, we invited 70 people and will have it in our yard. I estimate only 40-50 will come. They can go inbetween the house and the backyard. Its still costing $$$ but, I feel a bit better about it. We are not going overboard and she is getting a party where everyone I wanted to invite will be there.

You have to do whats best for your situation. You can make it memorable and amazing no matter how big the location!!

Re: If you did not or are not having a big 1st B-day Bash?

We didn't. It bothered me beforehand a lot. We had a really fun day w/ the baby on his birthday and I totally forgot that we didn't have a party.

If you did not or are not having a big 1st B-day Bash?

We just had a small 1st birthday party for DS, just immediate family. Our house is small, it's April so a backyard party would be very iffy with the weather. Plus I couldn't justify the expense. It turned out great. DS had a wonderful birthday and everyone enjoyed themselves. Dinner, cake, presents, and family - that was all we needed.

Re: If you did not or are not having a big 1st B-day Bash?

I did a big bday for dd1! It was nice but it was $$$ and I just get like she was overwhelmed anyways. I rented tents and catered food, expensive cake, all personalized decorations. Were only going to have immediate family over for dd2 which still adds up to 25+ people. I feel bad but I don't think the huge party is any better than just having family.

If you did not or are not having a big 1st B-day Bash?

We're doing a small party with about 25 people at my parents' house. I'm doing the food myself with a little help from my mom and mil and just keeping things simple. So far I'm very glad that we're doing it this way. Everyone we invited is coming and all are excited to celebrate with DD and I want to have the memory and photos to look back on. I did not have any desire to do a big party with extended family at a hall or anything like that.

Re: If you did not or are not having a big 1st B-day Bash?

We did a fairly small party (25 people) at our house. We just didn't have the money to do anything bigger. Plus I'm not really into party planning and all that fuss, particularly for something DS won't remember. Maybe we'll throw him an awesome high school grad party to make up for it.

Re: If you did not or are not having a big 1st B-day Bash?

We had big christening parties for each of them, but their 1st birthday parties were all small (and poor DS#3 had to share his first birthday with his brother's 5th birthday party).

Re: If you did not or are not having a big 1st B-day Bash?

We did immediate family only. DS is a winter baby, if he was sumemr maybe i would have had a few more people in the backyard. The day of I was a little sad thinking oh, did i make the right decision?? But i was so happy with the day it was perfect. He had so much fun, he was comfortable and not overwhelmed. It was still a special day We are going on a nice family vacation instead of spending a lot of money on a party.

Re: If you did not or are not having a big 1st B-day Bash?

a couple reasons and I don't regret it in the slightest!

-we had a big christening
-we decided to instead put the money in his college fund


we have decided since to do the kid's parties every other year- we did one this past year for ds's 2nd and I can't believe 1- how much $$ we wasted and 2- how many toys I then had nowhere to put!

Re: If you did not or are not having a big 1st B-day Bash?

i recently went to a family members daughters 1st birthday party..it was huge..at least 100 people. I thought i was going to feel sad that i am not doing something like that for DD, but it didn't make me feel that way.
I kind of agree..i'd rather spend the big money on something DC will remember.

Not to say there is anything wrong with people wanting to celebrate in a big way, i just don't think its for me.

We did have a bigger party for DS, but i found it sooo stressful - we did do it at our house and it was tight. And that was before we had a million toys..now there is just no room.

If you did not or are not having a big 1st B-day Bash?

I had grandparents and god parents over for pizza and cake. WAS THE BEST DECISION EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I did not second guess it once. DS will never have big parties. I think they are a waste of more that I would much rather give directly to his college fund.

Re: If you did not or are not having a big 1st B-day Bash?

I am not having one... We are instead going to DR for vacation with her and the grandparents. It's my bday too and I wanted to get away! we are going to have a small BBQ bday party with close fam and friends when we get back.

Message edited 4/15/2013 1:39:30 PM.

Re: If you did not or are not having a big 1st B-day Bash?

We had a backyard party that was nice but big$$$ (as other posters said) & a lot of work
As long as you get some cute pictures of your little one happy & having fun on their BDay so they can look back & smile

Re: If you did not or are not having a big 1st B-day Bash?

Did a big party for Christening, so we didn't want to do another big party so soon after that. It turned out to be a good decision, because our whole house got a really bad stomach virus the week before the small party we had at home and barely even got to do that!

If you did not or are not having a big 1st B-day Bash?

I for one am not into having a big birthday party for my LO. I never had them and I don't think he will care.
I will say that I think it's a little unfair of you to have done things for your son that you are now unwilling to do with your daughter. If ever my parents chose to do for me and not my sister there would always be resentment and hurt, even if it happened before I knew what was going on. I don't mean to put you down, but seriously think about the consequences your actions now will have on your daughter in the future.

Re: If you did not or are not having a big 1st B-day Bash?

Re: If you did not or are not having a big 1st B-day Bash?

Re: If you did not or are not having a big 1st B-day Bash?

Re: If you did not or are not having a big 1st B-day Bash?

Re: If you did not or are not having a big 1st B-day Bash?

If you did not or are not having a big 1st B-day Bash?

Why dont you have an outdoor party? May the weather is beautiful. Throw her a party in the park maybe..