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1st birthday party

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Really struggling for what to do for our little ones first birthday. We did the Christening at home and found it very stressful and not that cheap.
My husband has large friends group who all have a couple of children that he wants to invite. He doesn't want to be responsible for doing any of the work as it was so stressful last time but I've looked at play centres and they are £14 per child! The children there will mainly be 0-3. Any ideas?!
My husband has large friends group who all have a couple of children that he wants to invite. He doesn't want to be responsible for doing any of the work as it was so stressful last time but I've looked at play centres and they are £14 per child! The children there will mainly be 0-3. Any ideas?!
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It might be worth working out WHY it was stressful last time. Too many people in a small space? Your expectations different to the reality?
And if your DH doesn't want to be responsible for doing any of the work, what's his plan? Even in a play centre, even with an entertainer, these things can be stressful and someone's got to do SOME work!
You could also suggest a 'friends meet up' in a soft play area a couple of weeks after the birthday, where everyone pays their own way.
A first birthday party is really just for adults and for older children, as the birthday boy or girl won't understand.
But nothing big or expensive. There's no point. He'll be much happier just doing something small where he's getting proper attention from us.
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Encouragement always works better than judgement.
Ask him what he wants, and discuss what either of you are prepared to pay and/or do.
Also, think about what you find stressful. If you / he just want to hang out with that group, way not organise a BBQ or something, don't call it a birthday party.
Or just invite your child's grandparents round.
If your husband wants a proper 'party' then ask him what *his* plans are and what *he* will be doing to organise and run it.
Similarly, if you want a party, decide hat you are willing to do, or can do without getting too stressed, and organise something that works for you, which might mean inviting fewer people.
With children aged 1-3 you don't really need much in the way of entertainment or organised 'fun' - they are too young for it.
A picnic in a park which has swings etc would be enough - you could provide trays of sandwiches, cake and drinks, all of which you can buy ready made if you don't want to cook.
But I think step one is to talk to your husband about what you each want to get out f it, and what each of you is willing to do to make it happen.
If you're inviting a lot of children it could be cheaper to hire a cheap hall, perhaps at a church or football club, and hire a soft play to be delivered there. You'd need to organise food though, perhaps sandwich platters from the supermarket or a local bakery.
Unfortunately if you want less work you usually have to pay for it. Sometimes you'll do all the work and find you didn't save money anyway and wish you'd paid for an organised party.