anyone regret having a big first bday party?

I always thought it was crazy to throw a big 1st bday party since they aren't going to remember it & there will be so many other occasions that they will want a party for as they grow up.
But as DD got closer to one I was so excited that I decided to have one at the house.
Somehow it snowballed into 50 people, renting a tent, chairs, tables, food... the whole thing.
I kinda wish I didn't do it (it's next week so it's too late now.)
I know it will be fun & nice to see everyone together but it's going to be such a long, tiring day for DD & I'm sure she won't nap with all the excitement so she will be miserable by 4 o'clock.
I just feel like I'm being selfish by having a party because it's not really fun for her
I guess the fact that I'm running all over like a crazy person & spending a TON of money on this thing doesn't help either

Re: anyone regret having a big first bday party?

I totally feel you in this one!!! Im having my DD party this Sunday & something small for me turned into 60 adults & 15 kids!!!! Ive been running around like a mad woman getting everything together also. I told my DH he is on serious Daddy Duty to make sure while Im out at the place setting up that she naps not once but 2x (lol putting hard demands) I think after all the hardwrk & we see how nice things turn out we'll feel better about it! ( but I do say Im never planning another party) i swear i feel the stress of wedding planning all over again- ive been stalking the weather!

Just hang in there-- we'll look back & be glad we did it!

Re: anyone regret having a big first bday party?

I love throwing parties! I'm planning a first birthday party for about 75 people, at my paren'ts house. I know she won't remember it and I'm ok with that. Basically, she was born two months premature and has been through a lot already. I just want to celebrate her and get all of the family (most of the 75!) together to do it. I don't plan on always doing huge parties but I figured, why not? It's her first birthday.

Re: anyone regret having a big first bday party?

Can't say I regret it because it is not here yet, but I don't intend on having a big first birthday party...

anyone regret having a big first bday party?

We ended up with about 30 adults at my DD's 1st birthday party and it was a ton of work (also at the house). She ABSOLUTELY knew that it was her special day and powered through with only a morning nap. She loved every minute of the attention and I don't regret it for a second. I know it's stressful, but just try to enjoy the moment - they are only 1 once!! Good luck!

Re: anyone regret having a big first bday party?

We just had DDs and I don't regret it at all. We went through IF treatments to have her - it was a long road. And the first few months after having her were REALLy rough for us. So I felt it was important to have a party with everyone who loves DD and plays some role in her life to celebrate the first year. She will not be getting big parties often and I really felt like this was a big marker for us in this journey we started years ago to have her.

anyone regret having a big first bday party?

We contemplated having something small for DD when she turned one, but DH insisted on doing something bigger. We ended up with about 40 adults and 12 kids at the VFW Hall that DH is a member of and we don't regret it at all.

It was a lot of work, but DD had a fantastic time and it was a joy to see her face when she walked in and saw all the balloons and toys and cake and presents. She just played and played and played. I know she won't remember it, but we have pictures and our own memories and seeing that she will probably be our only it was special for everyone.

Re: anyone regret having a big first bday party?

It is overwhelming, but I don't think I will regret it. Trying to plan has been exhausting. Our invite list is 142 adults and 36 kids (and that's with cutting the list!!). We originally wanted to do a backyard party, but it is far too many people. On top of it all, i have mil hounding me to make more food. We have more than enough, but this time instead of doing 14 choices on the buffet, we are doing 6 hot entrees and the rest heroes and cold salads. She thinks people should have more choices Try to enjoy her day. If she's
tired, let her nap. It will be a fun day of celebrating your dd.

anyone regret having a big first bday party?

I threw DD a big first birthday party and have no regrets! Your first baby only turns 1 once! It is a celebration for both of you - you made it through the first year of motherhood! I think that is worth celebrating!

Of course she won't remember it, but you will have tons of pictures to show her, and YOU will have the memories.

I personally love planning parties and getting together with family and friends, so for me it was fun!

At this point the party is almost here, so try not to stress and just enjoy the party! If DD gets tired, let her take a nap (or just give her lots of cake so she gets a sugar rush!).

Re: anyone regret having a big first bday party?

MY DD's party is in a week and a half, it's going to be 45 adults and 10 kids. We went back and forth with big party/small party. I am happy we are doing it, she is our first child and will only turn 1 once. She won't remember it, but we will, and it's a celabration of her birthday, and getting through our first year as 1st time parents lol

Enjoy it, she's only 1 for a short time, then she will be 18 and off to college.

Re: anyone regret having a big first bday party?

We did a big party at a restaurant. Yes it was mostly for the adults burt we had entertainment for the kids that she loved. We chose to do it because she wasn't Christened so this was the first big party for her. There were a lot of cousins and geographically distant relatives that came. It was so nice to see everyone have everybody celebrate with us.

We toned it down after that. Next big party will probably be her sweet 16.

Re: anyone regret having a big first bday party?

I was anti-1st birthday party till about 3 week's before and then we threw him a small party at the house with about 20 people. I do not regret it at all. I still smile when I look at the pictures and see all our friends who wanted to be a part of that special day for us. And now I just LOVE planning and throwing parties.

Re: anyone regret having a big first bday party?

We had a big 1st birthday for our DS and we have no regrets. We wound up spending way more than we ever thought, upwards of $2K, especially since we had it at home (tent, chairs, catered, etc), we had about 50 people, but still, no regrets. Everything was beautiful and people had a great time. DS seemed to enjoy it too. He must have known a party was going on bc he only napped for 40 minutes that day vs 2 hrs. I love having the memory of his 1st bday and party, seeing the pics, it was such a fun and joyous occasion, it was perfect!

Try to enjoy it. Your DD might just have fun too.

Message edited 7/12/2012 9:59:11 AM.

anyone regret having a big first bday party?

I didn't have one and don't regret it for a bit. We're going all out for the 2nd bday this year...

Re: anyone regret having a big first bday party?

I don't think I regret having a big party for DD, but I am annoyed that spent SO much money on a 1 year olds birthday party. We could have spent a week at Atlantis and had $$ left to spare had I not thrown the party. It was SO much work too.

Even with all those feelings though, the only thing I regret is not having a chance to take pics of DD with all the guests, it was just too crazy and hectic that day.

Re: anyone regret having a big first bday party?

We ended up having a bigger baptism then planned, so I plan on making his first bday smaller. Just family and his little friends (he actually has a lot, LOL.) at our house.

Re: anyone regret having a big first bday party?

We do 1/2 birthdays and it snowballed WAY out of control for her 1.5 birthday. I don't regret it and it was a good time, but we have paired it down A LOT. Last year, of rthe 1.5, we had 55 people. This year for the 2.5 we had 20, It was the perfect number. In Nov we will be having Sawyer's 1st birthday and I plan to only invite these same 20 people. There are other factors as well, but my only advice is push through, have a blast, and if it's to much pair it down next year! I feel like I would rather "regret" her 1st party being to big then not big enough. Now I wouldn't have said that the week before the party though lol.

anyone regret having a big first bday party?

We did a huge 1st Bday party at a country club becuase we opted for a very small Baptism. I was nervous that DD would have a horrible time since she would obviously miss her nap that day. It turned out to be great, DD had a blast, always had a smile on her face, zero meltdowns even well past nap time. Everyone was jokingly asking us "what we gave her" since she was so happy the entire time.

I would just somehow make sure the party ends after 4 hours (or whatever your invite says). Maybe just take DD into her room alone at that point and do a quiet activity to help her unwind. I would not want to continue to overstimulate her for hours on end. Try to enjoy the day and take lots of video/pics she can look at down the road.

anyone regret having a big first bday party?

I'm throwing a big 1st bday party next weekend for my DD. I also have a 4yo. It's an excuse to get our family together and the way I look at it, a lot of them are older and it will be nice for everyone to celebrate something happy!

Re: anyone regret having a big first bday party?

DD's 1st bday is in December but I am hoping to have a big bday party for her.. not catering hall big , and not $$$$, but definitly something special. I love party planning and my motto in life is I would rather regret the things in life that I HAVE done, than those I never did but wish I had.

Its probably just the stress of planning that has you thinking this way-- day of and when its all said and done, Im sure it will make you smile =)))

Good luck !

Re: anyone regret having a big first bday party?

Honestly, I'm not a fan of big parties for anything other than weddings. We celebrate every milestone with our immediate families (which is around 30 people) and some close friends. We all have a blast, get great pictures and spend a decent amount of money, but nothing outrageous. IMO, Big parties=big$$$. I don't have money to spare and I'd rather use my extra cash on family vacations, etc.

Re: anyone regret having a big first bday party?

Re: anyone regret having a big first bday party?

Not at all!!! We went all out with DD and plan to do the same for DS.

Re: anyone regret having a big first bday party?

i toyed with doing a small party but just family alone was 35 people. we ended up having 57 people and a week before the party i felt just like you! i was overwhelmed and stressed. i cooked everything for the party and it was A LOT of work. i did a lot of details to go along with my theme and it was tiring. looking back though, i dont regret it at all. everyone had a great time and the party came together so great.

Re: anyone regret having a big first bday party?