Lots of first year birthday parties coming up, help

paul2louise

Again, thank you so much for your helpful comments. I am off on my own (dad is having DS for the day) to get a few bits in the sale so i will check out the bookshops and other sales for bits and pieces.

Spidergirl76

When my 13 year old was little, party presents seemed to be more token presents than anything else. Things like My Little Ponies and Barbies that were only £3.99 each at the time.

Now however it seems to be getting more and more expensive. DD2 had her seventh birthday party in October and whilst the gifts she got were lovely and very much appreciated, it kind of sets a precedent and now when she attends parties I feel I have to spend a little more and get a really decent present as that's what that friend's parents did and I don't want them to think we're mean.

I wish it could go back to the old days really with just small token presents. Children get enough birthday presents from family and friends without getting 10 or so presents worth £20 at their birthday party

Agutka

Parties are great to get to know other mums and their partners. The kids don't know whats what at that age. Presents are around a fiver, and you're really lucky to have them at this time of year, because of the sales. Ours are in sept-october and I'm already picking up things for then. Keep a present box stocked. Two parties in one day is too much for you, I've never had to experience this, but some of my friends look really harassed.
Pick your favourite mums, sorry, can't make it for the others. Aim baby's nap for the party and enjoy tea and nibbles with your new friends.
The older toddlers just seem to need a large space and a few ride-ons, snacks and drinks and they are happy.
My one year old didn't even have a party, bless him, did he notice? Umm, no.

paul2louise

I have been to mothercare today and got 6 books half price and 3 for 2 for less than a tenner for all of them. Wilko's had some cheap stocking fillers too so i think I am sorted now, bring on the parties !!!

Carl31

Other than a family gathering, a party for a one year old is ridiculous

Sweet_Pea_2

When it was my daughters first birthday I only had close family and a couple of friends who were also her god parents for her party, only one other child there who was 5 weeks older.

I'm not sure I'd take my daughter to the parties to be honest because there is bound to be older children there too and at ten months it;s not as if your child can really join in that much. They all go through phases, whilst he may not be keen on older children at the moment, by the time he is toddling about himself he will probably be fine with them.

I definitely wouldn't spend £10, only £5 and would try and avoid toys purely because most of the other mums may also do this and the birthday child (and his parents) will be overwhelmed. I would get a voucher or an item of clothing in a bigger size, (which I always found very useful and moneysaving for me too) or maybe a book, even if the book ends up being for a slightly older child than the birthday child you can always put a note on the tag saying you hope it will come in useful later on.

maryjane01

I think it depends on what other people in your social group spend. I live in London with working professional parents as friends. For closer friends I would buy a present that looks like it costs £10 or so (but in reality try to keep it closer to a fiver if I can).

If it were somebody I didn't know very well who invited me and I wanted to go more like £5 or so.

For a 1st birthday I would expect it to be more about the adults anyway as 1 year olds will not interact that much with each other.

By 2 it can go either way, kids interact more but need a lot of supervision and don't really understand birthdays yet. Our house is very small and I booked a local preschool for my son's 2nd birthday. I didn't know all the people I invited very well, I used it as an opportunity to invite some mums that live very local to try and build some relationships and get to know them. Eg. there is a mum 150m from my house I met out and about but didn't know very well, she spent around £5 on a present, which is what I would expect, other mums I knew better spent around £10 I would say.

I try to stock up on kids gifts when I see them on sale. If you leave it to the last minute that is when it usually ends up costing more because I am desperate to pick something up. But when that did happen, throughout last year when Argos had 2 toys for £15 that was very useful. I had one for the party and one spare. If you search for "Tomy Aquadraw Travel Drawing Bag" on Argos it is 2 for £15 and was a very popular present I gave at 2 year old birthdays this year, suitable for boys and girls.

I_try

How about a book as a present? The 'That's not my' books are great for this age group and are about £4 on Amazon at the moment. Do what you want to do regarding your little ones birthday not what you think other people expect you to do. It is not their day!

skintchick

If your child is shy at the moment, don;t force them to leave your lap, just sit with them and enjoy a chat and a drink while he watches what's going on.

Most of my friends did first birthday parties - just small gatherings with drinks and a cake, but if you don't want to, then don't.

I would spend around a fiver on a gift - ELC does lots of good things for around that price.

I would get books that are not too simple so they can keep them - I got five Ladybird books with classic stories, in a box set, for £3 in WH Smiths the other day and that would be a lovely gift with the future in mind.

angel13

paul2louise wrote: »

Hi, I am a first time mum to a 10month boy. I have started to get invites to new friends (mums I have met thro baby groups this year) who have their babies first birthday party coming up. I have already got 2 parties same day in jan and 2 the same weekend in feb. I am sure there will be more parties till around April coming up. My boy gets quite worked up with strangers at the moment, is very clingy and gets overtired if we are out for more than a couple of hours. He isnt crawling yet so gets a bit frustrated if I am not playing with him.

My questions are:
1.Should I go to go to all these parties. I know he wont really enjoy it too much as he cant get crawl/or toddle yet.
2.MSE question, how much should you spend on presents for these parties, is £10 ok or am I being mean as it will start to cost a lot if I go to all these parties and I am not working.
3. I dont think I want a big party for my boy, he is only 1 and wont really understand what is happening. I just thought it was a family type thing. I only invited family and close friends to his christening as I thought it should be similar for his first birthday, to share with people you love.

Thanks for reading my post, just want some feedback

:j

select just a few to attend or try one as they don't always like them, spend £5 maximum and start stocking up on little things - books socks at older ages as these are the best presents, these a great price and you could split them up and give one per child etc:
http://www.bananas.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_10602_40154_208409_100_500020__category_