How to celebrate their 1st birthday?

RavingMad

Our baby girl turns 1 next weekend and we're still not sure how to celebrate it

Our house is too small to house a party so we were thinking of having a meal out somewhere.

I wonder if people could share their stories of what they did?

Thanks

jackomdj

First birthdays we just spent at home with close family - us & the grandparents. Any parties at this age are for you!

We did have friends pop in for a coffee but nothing formal or organised - they just wanted to bring presents!

fernliebee

I think it depends on the LO, my DD loves a crowd and so we had a little party with her friends on the fri afternoon and then a family bbq on the sat. This meant the house wasn't too crowded at 1 time. The kiddies party was hectic 11 children mostly 1 or under with a couple of older ones, but as it was summer it was fine as we could go in the garden too. The family BBQ was really special as it gave everyone an opportunity to spend the day with her, and she enjoyed being the centre of attention! Didn't go mad food wise on either as couldn't afford it tbh, I made as much as I could to keep the cost down and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.

If they are shy, or not used to many people then it is prob best to just keep it very low key, as it is their special day after all, so not much fun for them if they are sad all day!

I would say if your house is too small then going out for a meal somewhere child friendly is a good idea, or what about a day trip somewhere like sea life centre where baby will be able to look at the fish, and just have close family.

bylromarha

DS and DD had a morning at soft play with a few friends, home for lunch, family tea.

MIL insisted on throwing a party for both of them on their birthdays. DS is now 5 and she hasn't done it for the past 2 years-200 mile round trip for us and loads of rellies the kids never see (all adults, no kids) , so feel really uncomfortable. Think she's seen she was doing it for herself and not the kids.

Minimum_Wage_2

1st birthday! just close family and lots of pictures

Mimi_Arc_en_ciel

my DD had a tea party for her first birthday with friends round. her 2nd birthday we took her and her friends to a local wildlife park for the day where they got to stroke animals. 3rd birthday (next year) we're taking her to one of those "make your own teddy bear" shops - they hold birthday parties n all kids get a teddy Is there any soft play centres near you? It doesnt have to be a huge thing - she'll probably sleep through most of it lol

LJM

yep i echo close family and friends,lots of home video/photos as your little one is not likely to remember it

Agutka

We actually had a rather sophisticated dinner party on the actual day :rolleyes:. Joseph wasn't supposed to attend, but he stayed up anyway. Then at the weekend the family came round for the usual family hoo hah. J didn't have friends back then!
The second party however came as a shock to me, I still haven't got over all the organising :eek:

SammyD_2

We put up a whole load of first year photos in order around our wall. Then we had three close friends (no family in UK) over for birthday cake.
We had a bottle of wine that night to celebrate.
No point having a party, but it is lovely to mark the occaision.

Lunar_Eclipse

We had a small party at home for both of mine.

Eldest had an 'afternoon tea' party to mark the occasion. Tea and cakes, marmite/cheese finger sandwiches and carrot sticks. Close friends and family, with their small children if they had any. We filled a small paddling pool with balls from the ELC and got a few Teletubbies balloons which entertained the little ones. We had grandparents and great grandparents to the 1st birthdays. And Godparents.

Youngest is September born so we had a relaxed BBQ in the garden. Friends & family came; I recall there being a few more kids this time. She got a sand pit and we had a playhouse outside by then.

Such happy days.

Pee

Think Jules Oliver took her little one to the Zoo, and thought that sounded a great idea.

A nice meal out with family for mum would be a good idea - if little one would behave well as otherwise might be more stress and hassle than it's worth.