1st birthday party??

Becky - posted on 01/05/2010

my son's is coming up and I thought I would have a big party for him only because it will be a double party as my older son's is 2 days away from his and I don't have to plan 2 parties this way and older son will enjoy having everybody there.

Melissa - posted on 01/05/2010

We are doing an inside party for our son who will turn one on Feb 8th. We plan to just put a bouncer outside in the back. Let the kids hype up on sugar and BBQ some hotdogs and Hamburgers.

As far as family conflicts I would tell them both that the party is not for them. This party is about the celebration of your child's birth and you will not have it runied by their childish behavior. If neither of them feel they can maintain their words for one day than tell them you would rather they not be there. The only one they are hurting is the baby, not eachother.

Rebecca - posted on 01/05/2010

I'm also trying to figure out what to do for my son's 1st birthday on Feb. 14. My original plan was to rent an area at our local YMCA and have them put down play mats. The older kids would be able to do the activities provided and the babies would be able to crawl around and play with the baby toys I would bring. I was going to invite about 10 adults and probably 8 kids total (including the older siblings of babies in my son's playgroup).

But now I'm not sure if we're going to do that...I've procrastinated so I don't know if it would even still be available and I'm not sure if I really want to invite a big crowd. None of our family lives anywhere near us and no one is coming here for my son's birthday (they are all complaining about the winter weather), so I was trying to make it big and fun without them. But I think it will be more hassle than it's worth. I will probably just invite a couple friends over to our house for lunch and have a small cake made at a bakery. I won't be giving my son any cake. I always thought I would make him a healthy cake especially for babies, but we have allergy concerns so I don't want to give him any wheat, eggs, milk, etc., just b/c it's his birthday.

As for the conflicts with your son's father and your family, I think that avoiding conflict now by having separate parties is only going to back-fire later. Eventually you'll want to have everyone together b/c 1) separate parties are a hassle and 2) your son will start to notice and wonder why he always has 2 parties. Even if you have a "mom, dad, baby-only" party and then have a big family party later, your son will notice and be upset if his dad is not there (not this year, but in the future). I agree with the PP who said that your family needs to put your son's needs first and get over it. My mom and dad are divorced and don't really get along but if we ever live close enough to my family where this is an issue, I guarantee I will not be holding multiple parties or events at all of my son's milestones just to appease them.

One more thing -- chocolate is a major allergen and should not be given to babies under 2 years. I strongly recommend against giving babies chocolate cake at 1 year old just b/c you think it will be cute to watch them make a mess!

Heather - posted on 12/11/2009

For my daughter we are gonna wait till a little later in march to do the party and try to do it outside if its not still cool out. We are gonna invite all the family and some good friends and couples we know with babies and kids. We are doing pink and white and princess stuff for her. We are gonna do a small round cake( like 4 or 5 in diameter) and then a big 1 shaped cake for everyone else. We are gonna have it at home and make it really simple. Hope this helps.

Karin - posted on 12/10/2009

Jaydon now almost 10mnth, we here in SA do it very small they don't remember the first bday ever. So invite max 4/5 kiddies, bake a big chocolate cake and put them around the cake to mess and enjoy. You will enjoy all the great snap shot you received mail me at karin.fence@nashuaisp.co.za and Ill send you pics on two bdays that Jaydon attended where there was cake and cake and some more cake just for playing and the fun of messing!

Lainie - posted on 12/10/2009

Great birthday Feb 16th cause its my son Cruz's birthday that day also :) sad Emily bout your family I have the same problem with my husbands family makes things very uncomfortable but like I did at my wedding invite everybody then nobody can complain let them know that your "whole" family is invited more often than not the people with the problem wont come!!! get your friends & family to bring a plate to share you just provide the cake which you can make if $$ is tight!! all the best ;)

Karrington - posted on 12/07/2009

First of all I would tell your family that it is not about whether or not they get along with your sons father, it is about your son and celebrating his life, so they can get over it. As for ideas for the party, go simple...pick a color or two as the "theme" and do plates and what not in those colors, get a few streamers and balloons and your son will love it. We are planning a rather large party for my son simply because his father and I both have large families. We have chosen to use red, yellow, and blue, as the colors and we are going to serve chili (that my kinda MIL is making) I plan to get the plates and things at a dollar store (just like I did for his baby shower, which was also large). The bowls I will spend more on just because I don't want chili all over the place. I am also renting a community center for 25 dollars. You could check into that, often it is cheap and you just decorate and make sure you clean up...most have full kitchens too! I have a few more things in mind for my sons B-day, if you have questions feel free to message me!

Dawn - posted on 12/07/2009

I would keep anything very small...maybe you should do a party for your family and then have a little something with the father? This birthday is really a photo op for cake!!! If you look back a few posts, someone else posted a thread similar to this a week ago...there are some ideas there. I am only going to do cake with my husband if my sister doesn't come to visit, but if her and her family do come I will be having a small Mardi Gras party (my son was born on Fat Tuesday!)