Lots of first year birthday parties coming up, help

ska_lover

Take him, it may help with his social skills etc. You can always leave early if need be x

esmf73

I'd go to the parties of people I particularly liked - we had family parties. I think £5 is perfectly acceptable - and I'd maybe think of buying clothes for the next stage. So if baby is 1 yr old now - buy for a 2yr old (you can buy in the sales too!) Parents will be grateful (even if they don't seem so at the time!) and it cuts down on the amount of god awful plastic toys in the house. Can you tell I have two? My house was ruled by plastic toys for a while - then I had a massive clear out and reclaimed my life.

For your little ones party - you could do a teddy bears picnic - or you could just take a cake along to a toddler group that you already attend (I'd do that). If you have a party you'll always get older / younger siblings tagging along and end up catering for them too.

Wishing that all parties (except mine of course !!!!) were banned...:)

Emmzi

I think a tenner is a HUGE amount! I'd take a cute t shirt or whatever that cost MUCH less, at less than 2, it's really a gift for the mum.

cord123

I used to spend a fortune but as you say it gets really expensive and people feel they have to spend the same on your child. The works do great books for 99p which are 3 for 2 I get 3 of those and a little top from next (they have 2 for £7 at the mo) and then you have a lovely pressie for £5.50 (use the other top for another child!)
As others have said, let your child have a nap, stay for as long as you want but it can only help him being around other children..... parties can be overwhelming and very chaotic so dont feel that you have to go..... as for your sons party! You do what you want, you can always have a little lunch out with a few mummy firends after the event! xx

msb5262

Hello OP,

Don't worry too much - these parties are really for the mums more than the babies!

Personally I wouldn't expect to put a 10 or 12 month old baby down on the floor or in a high chair at a social gathering like this, unless or until he was keen to be out of my arms.

By all means go to the parties if you like the mums giving them, and remember it's mainly for you adults to celebrate the first exhausting year - you'll be reminiscing already about all the milestones your babies have reached, thinking back to pregnancy and birth, it will be lovely as long as you're not expecting too much.

As for presents, I'd definitely go for books - always an excellent present, and they're light and easy to wrap too. Don't forget, companies like the Book People sell multipacks of books which you can split...could be handy when you'll have a few birthdays coming up.

I would really give just a book per child, nothing else; apart from the cost, you can't tell yet which of these friends will turn out to be your child's closest mates in future, and you don't want to set up expectations of big spending on presents.

Cards - go for homemade. Let your baby scribble with a wax crayon, then cut out and fold! An excellent way to save money and show you've made an effort.

HTH

MsB

TimBear

cord123 wrote: »

I used to spend a fortune but as you say it gets really expensive and people feel they have to spend the same on your child. The works do great books for 99p which are 3 for 2 I get 3 of those and a little top from next (they have 2 for £7 at the mo) and then you have a lovely pressie for £5.50 (use the other top for another child!)
As others have said, let your child have a nap, stay for as long as you want but it can only help him being around other children..... parties can be overwhelming and very chaotic so dont feel that you have to go..... as for your sons party! You do what you want, you can always have a little lunch out with a few mummy firends after the event! xx

Agreed. Or Pounstretcher do lovely books too for the same price. I generally spend a couple of pounds on gifts for my friends' children and manage to find some lovely things.

TK Maxx often have good toys, games and books and are often reduced.

Spidergirl76

cord123 wrote: »

I used to spend a fortune but as you say it gets really expensive and people feel they have to spend the same on your child. The works do great books for 99p which are 3 for 2 I get 3 of those and a little top from next (they have 2 for £7 at the mo) and then you have a lovely pressie for £5.50 (use the other top for another child!)
As others have said, let your child have a nap, stay for as long as you want but it can only help him being around other children..... parties can be overwhelming and very chaotic so dont feel that you have to go..... as for your sons party! You do what you want, you can always have a little lunch out with a few mummy firends after the event! xx

I really like the idea of getting a little top and a book, I'm often at a loose end as to what to get when my 2 year old goes to parties.

onlyroz

Certainly don't spend £10. You should be able to get a nice baby toy or book from (e.g.) Tesco for £5.

FatVonD

£10 is way too much in my opinion, £5 seemed to be the going rate through toddlerhood and primary school then it went up to £10 around year 6 (and even then that wasn't all of them.)

bunty109

Agree with the don't spend a tenner brigade! Birthday parties really start to add up so I'd stick around the fiver mark