first bday

I am having a hard time with this....

DS is one in Feb so we obviously can't have a BBQ or something at the house or this would be easy. There are just too many people, mainly there would be too many young kids running around its just not possible in our house. We really can't spend the money on a hall or something right now as we are putting in a pool and spending so much on something he won't remember kills me if we can't swing it.

Is it horrible if we don't do much? We are planning to just to immediate family over for dinner (grandparents, my sis and her fam and his bro and wife).

I feel so conflicted with this

Re: first bday

no, not at all, do what you can afford! If it were up to me, I would have had immediate family at the house for pizza & cake, but DH wanted the big party.

first bday

All I ever do is grandparents and our siblings over for pizza and cake. It was 15-18 people and DS loved it both years.

I do not see the point in big parties. They are a waste of money IMO and I can put that money in DS bank account

Re: first bday

DD will also be 1 in Feb and we are doing a family thing either at our house or my parents. I am planning on inviting immediate family only. I cant fathom spending so much money on a birthday she wont even remember.

Re: first bday

I'm having the same issue, DD's bday is in March and our house is just too small. I just called a VFW hall and they want $500 just to rent room I have to say I'm kinda shocked and now have no idea what to do!

Re: first bday

Posted by nicopico13

I'm having the same issue, DD's bday is in March and our house is just too small. I just called a VFW hall and they want $500 just to rent room I have to say I'm kinda shocked and now have no idea what to do!

Re: first bday

I was thinking of calling a hotel to see how much it is to rent a conference room!!

first bday

I struggled with this as well. We did not want to spend a million dollars on something that he was not going to remember. We decided to have it at White Post Farms. They include so much in their package. The weekend package includes 15 kids. My husband and I decided that we are keeping it to 15 kids total. There is no cost for adults (but we are going to add some food for them) so overall the party is pretty reasonable.

My son LOVES animals so although he will not remember it I know that he will LOVE it while he is there!

first bday

Not.at.all.

Do what you can do and do not worry about it

Re: first bday

We just had immediate family over for pizza and cake. DD had fun playing with her grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins. She got a kick out of opening of presents and thoroughly enjoyed her cake. You don't have to have a huge party - a one year old will have just as much fun at home!

first bday

Can do just cake & then have party in summer. Do like half birthday??

first bday

I wanted the big party Dh and bil talked me out of it since we had a big baptism party. We are just having close family and friends.

Re: first bday

For our kids' first, we had "immediate family" (30 people) at our house.

For the second birthday, we had only super immediate family (8 people) & DD's will be at our house.

For the 3rd, we will start kid parties.

My advice: save the $$ and aggravation.

first bday

It's not bad at all - we did two mini celebrations - one at our house with some family and friends and one at my grandfather's with my extended family.

Kept it very simple.

DS 1 just turned 4 and we're still doing it this way.

Message edited 1/6/2014 2:54:14 PM.

first bday

We are just doing our parents, siblings w their husbands and kids and two couple friends for a last week in Jan birthday.

Re: first bday

U can also do like a Liittle Gym or a jw tumbles type thing and then have immediate family back at the house for cake...that's what I'm doing for his 2nd bday.

Re: first bday

I did a pretty big 1st bday bash and I wish I kept it small.

On her actual birthday I had my sibs and ILs over for pizza and cake and it was wonderful. I should have just done that.

Keep it small.

first bday

AJ didn't get a party until she was 5
I don't feel a bit of guilt. Took her to the zoo for 1 & 2. Trust me she didn't know what the day WAS on her first bday. She slept half the time and really just liked the area that was indoors (cool) and looking at fish.

At 2 she got to know the birds a bit

At 3 NY family came to SA to visit and we had cake and pretend tea in our dining room.

At 4 we took a trip to NY to see family and she remembers the cake her grandma had for her and spending time with her aunt/uncles.

At 5 we finally gave her a party.. in May (instead of August) for her daycare friends. Her face when she walked in the door and knew this party was hers!!! PRICELESS! She really appreciated that it was a party just for her and thanked all her friends with hugs and very VERY touching thank you notes I wrote out for her (she spoke the words). Frankly I think it worked out that she wasn't 'used' to parties by then. She'd been to other kids' parties of course but she didn't have to have one. We always have fun and yes, she knew it was her bday after 3 but really it was just about having fun.

But her 1st bday.. was important for us... It was for US not her. It was to remember that one year ago we were in a hospital going crazy and then the moment came with her joining us. So one year later we celebrated as a family being a family for one year. Just the 3 of us. It was personal and special for us to be alone that day. I cherish it.