1st Birthday Poll: Go big or Keep it small??

We are torn! We want to do something fun and memorable for our son's 1st birthday, but on the other hand is it worth all the money for a party he won't remember?

Go Big: We want to do a party at the Riverhead Aquarium.

Keep it small: We would probably do a party at the parent's house or rent a hall room and do dinner with just close family and a few friends.

What would/did you do? If you spent the money on something big...were you glad you did it or do you regret it?

His birthday is in November...so a backyard party is out of the question. Trouble is..if we keep it small, we aren't sure where to host the party (if not at our parent's house which we'd rather not). Any recommendations for a room to rent for cheap in Suffolk County?

1st Birthday Poll: Go big or Keep it small??

I would do it small. IMO big parties are a waste of $$$$ at any age. My DS will be having small parties. That's all I ever had and I never felt I missed out.

Re: 1st Birthday Poll: Go big or Keep it small??

We did "medium." We rented the clubhouse in our complex and had about 50 people. I catered it.

Re: 1st Birthday Poll: Go big or Keep it small??

I do pretty huge first birthdays- over 115 people (DH is from a very large and close family) . We aren't religious though so there was no christening- if there was I would probably do one party big and one small. I rent a big hall and have the food catered. We hire some entertainment, like a Magician, which I prefer to a clown or character bc a much wider range of ages can enjoy the show. I don't think it's a waste. I mean I feel like you can say that for a lot of kid's parties. Even a 4 year old wouldn't really care or know the difference if you sang happy birthday at home and then took a trip to the zoo- but imo parties are fun. My ds1 had a great time at his first bday even though he didn't really "understand". He walked around like the star of the show- four hours of 100 people swooning over him, lol. For ds' second we did a party place. I'm just not one to skip a party I guess.

Message edited 9/25/2012 7:36:24 AM.

Re: 1st Birthday Poll: Go big or Keep it small??

We did small. About 20 people in our backyard. It was great because I felt like my DS had fun, but so did I and I actually got to spend time with the guests.

We might have gone a little bigger if we'd had the money, but it just wasn't an option. From DS's perspective, I don't think he'll really care.

Re: 1st Birthday Poll: Go big or Keep it small??

i think it depends on what your budget is... i know for me i don't want to spend thousands of dollars so i want to just have something small with close family and friends when DS turns 1.

Re: 1st Birthday Poll: Go big or Keep it small??

Small
I don't have the time or the energy or the patience to plan big parties.
But even if I did, I wouldn't.
That money is better used in her college fund than on a party that is over in a few hours and that she won't remember anyway.
I doubt she will thank me in the future for having a huge first birthday party.
But she may thank me for helping out with her college or her wedding, or whatever.

Re: 1st Birthday Poll: Go big or Keep it small??

It's a personal choice. We did an indoor party (was supposed to be in our backyard) with 50 people for DS's first. We will probably do the same for dd. we put tables up in our living room and everyone had a good time. I don't think a more expensive larger party would have been better. For 2, we treated immediate family to a day out. That was also very nice.

Re: 1st Birthday Poll: Go big or Keep it small??

We did small. We do small every year.

1st Birthday Poll: Go big or Keep it small??

Depending on your religion if you had a large baptism party I would say scale it down a wee bit for the birthday party. Since your home is out of the question and its November which is a low month you would be surprised that some smaller restaurants with catering rooms might be doable. I have been to many different parties for kids and I have to say I adore the backyard, restaurant or VFW birthday parties.

1st Birthday Poll: Go big or Keep it small??

We wanted to do Small, but we have a big greek/italian family and it has turned into semi-BIG, we are doing it at a hall, but keeping it extremely simple!

1st Birthday Poll: Go big or Keep it small??

we did a big backyard party for DD. we didnt go overboard with the stuff for the party - we had it in my uncles backyard, he has a pool, and lots of space. no band or characters or jumpers or anything like that. we had about 50 people and all appetizer foods and desserts. everyone seemed to have a good time. i will prob do smaller parties when she is older and we have to invite her friends but this year and prob next year we did it on the bigger side.

Re: 1st Birthday Poll: Go big or Keep it small??

We went BIG for his christening, think wedding

I wanted to go smaller for his first so we did a kiddie place that would accomadate a lot of adults bc I know that grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends etc would want to come. Also I REALLY wanted Mickey Mouse there bc DS loves him so that was my criteria. Our first place closed (PITA) but we luckily found another place last minute,

We will be having about 20 kids (plus infants) and @ 50-60 adults.We are happy bc it is not costing us a fortune but we will have our family and friends there to celebrate.

Re: 1st Birthday Poll: Go big or Keep it small??

I vote small-as you said he won't even remember it. BUt, it is really up to you.

1st Birthday Poll: Go big or Keep it small??

We usually do a bugger 1st birthday party because.. well, its their first one! And we do smaller ones for 2 , 3, 4.

Re: 1st Birthday Poll: Go big or Keep it small??

we're doing big but it was my parent's idea and they are throwing it. It is traditional in korean culture to have a big celebration for the 1st birthday since many babies didn't make it one year (back in the old days). Traditional clothing (i'm excited for this part since DD is going to look so cute) and traditional food to eat for luck etc, etc.

Since it was important to my parents and it's their first grandchild and they are super excited for it, I am letting them run with it.

I am getting more excited about it though

Re: 1st Birthday Poll: Go big or Keep it small??

We're going big...if you can afford it and want to do it I don't see why not.

Re: 1st Birthday Poll: Go big or Keep it small??

Go small. DD's parties will get bigger when she's old enough to care.

Re: 1st Birthday Poll: Go big or Keep it small??

1st birthdays we had at home, rented a tent, catered and had kids entertainment. Backyard is pretty large and we were able to fit about 60 people and 20 kids. I think in total we spent about $2,000. Having a party at the aquarium I'm sure will cost you and I would personally do something like that when older. Have you thought about having it at a place and hire kiddie entertainment? I recently attended a 1st birthday at Captain Bills. It was brunch in a private room that held about 30-40 people. I looked at C.B's website and would consider doing something there. It's about $35 a person including tax and gratuity.

Re: 1st Birthday Poll: Go big or Keep it small??

1st Birthday Poll: Go big or Keep it small??

Small. I honestly don't see the need for anything extravagant, especially when they won't remember a thing.

1st Birthday Poll: Go big or Keep it small??

we are going big for DS's 1st birthday party. We rented a hall, having it catered, hired entertainment and there are just under 100 people coming. DH has a big family. so it was either just grandparents and our sisters or everyone! We figured we'd do it up for the first and keep it simple for all the rest. Plus we didn't have any religious ceremonies for him so I figured we could go big for this one.

but it's really up to you whether you want to go into the time and money to put it all together.

Re: 1st Birthday Poll: Go big or Keep it small??

We did "small" for her Christening - just family. It's 66 people and 33 kids.

And that's CLOSE family.

My DH is Italian. Nuff said.

First birthday we're going big and inviting all our friends.

1st Birthday Poll: Go big or Keep it small??

For a first birthday I would just do it 'BIG' because it's more of a celebration for everyone. Sure the baby won't remember a thing but it's also about everyone who loves your little one.
As your DS gets older you'll probably have smaller parties and ones that are geared mostly for kids.

Re: 1st Birthday Poll: Go big or Keep it small??