What to did you do for your baby's first birthday?

Sylvia - posted on 05/11/2010

I think a small simple birthday is good. At this age they are so young & don't really know what is going on. Save your money/time/energy for the older ages when they begin to see & understand that others are having parties. You could instead start a savings account for a college fund & maybe let others know & instead of a gift they can give money that you keep in a savings account for your child or savings bonds.
As a mom of a 20yr. old son; & 17yr. old daughter & now paying for college it would have been good to have had a serious savings account from the beginning. : )

Victoria - posted on 05/11/2010

For my daughters first birthday we had all the family round for a birthday tea and cake, played some kids music (she liked to dance even that young!), put up a few decorations which she was fascinated by (we themed them and the cake all around her favourite show at the time which was Pocoyo), and just let her have fun. The following day we invited a little friend to tea and let them play with all her new toys and watch a new DVD. We were limited to what we could do because her birthday is in the winter and we didn't at that point know many families with children.

My cousin's little boy's birthday is in July so they had all the family over for a BBQ in the garden they put out decorations and a couple of gazebos and a bubble machine. They put out some garden toys to keep the kids occupied.

For a one year old they still don't really play "with" other children as such, more along side them, and too much fuss can be very overwhelming. Something simple will still be really fun for them because they're still exploring everything!

Marisa - posted on 05/10/2010

My daughters bday is not untill december , but ive already started planning!! my baby shower was a HUGE event it was a Alice and wonderland theamed tea pary very adult if you walked in ud have no clue it wsa a baby shower!. for my daughters brithday we are planning a kiddy tea party edibal candy mushroom flowers slides people dressed up like alice and the madd hatter maybe a cat and rabbit. her small cake will be a Tea cup and the big cake will be a tea pot! best of luck to you on ur sons birthday. thats my birthday too:)

Sarah - posted on 05/10/2010

For my sons first birthday i had some people over for a bbq in the backyard set up swings and toys and stuff for the kids and just let them run around and have fun

Chesnie - posted on 05/10/2010

I am having a luau party for my girls first bday! I am so excited, gonna have everyone wear grass skirts and hawaiian clothes, hand out leis and eat hawaiian food!

Claire - posted on 05/10/2010

You dont have to do much, We just had a few family members over and a few close friends, did a curry for the adults, usualy party food for kids, and let them run wild! He'll love being in the centre of it all!! Good luck!

Joan - posted on 05/10/2010

we had a party with family members aunts,uncles,grandparents.we held the party in the back yard.

Good Day! - posted on 05/10/2010

My church has a playground and inflatable water slide so we had the party there. The kids that came were entertained the entire time and the adults were able to relax and visit. My husband and dad grilled burgers and hot dogs. For favors I found water guns at the Dollar Tree and they were a hit.

This year, we are having it at our house (this coming Saturday!!) We are borrowing the water slide from the church and I bought an inexpensive water sprinkler for the kids to play in. We are doing burgers and hot dogs again.

Last year there was no theme, but this year my daughter is really into Elmo. I made invitations on the computer using cardstock then put Elmo stickers on them. So cheap and easy. The party favors are Elmo coloring books I found at the Dollar Tree. My sister is making cupcakes in the shape of Elmo's head for the cake.

My advice is find a playground and have it there so you don't have to keep the kids entertained. And only invite close family and friends. And the Dollar Tree (if you have one in your area) has cheap decorations. And Sam's Club (again, if you have one) sells a box of 40 hamburgers of $20. So you don't really have to spend a lot to have a great party.

Shaunacy - posted on 05/10/2010

Thanks Girls I especially liked the idea about cupcakes and the park! Maybe a picnic with a few family members would be nice!! :)

Jane - posted on 05/10/2010

My lil boys birthday was just a couple weeks ago and we just went to the local park down the road where they had plenty of swings/slides etc, and we shared the day with friends and family. About 10 kids ( friends / cousins etc ), and 20 adults, so a nice little affair and we had the best time!! And for a cake we just made a whole heap of cupcakes...so much easier than trying to cut up a cake for all the eager kids LOL :)

Kimberly - posted on 05/10/2010

way to much for my oldest daughters first birthday.....we spent close to $2000 on it....jumping house, clown, huge buffet, everyone went home with a gift, a princess tower cake....and all she did was get over whelmed and sleep through the whole thing!! for my younger daughter we had a bbq at the lake with only family (at her sisters we invited everyone we know) it was much more relaxed and she had a great time!!

Stephanie - posted on 05/10/2010

for my sons birthday it was mainly family we barbaqued and had cake and presents. we got a waterslid for older kids.

Louise - posted on 05/10/2010

We just had the family come over and had a nice cake. There is no point in paying out alot of money for a party that he is not going to remember! At this age a child just needs a small amount of stimulation so booking big parties will most likely freak him out. Save your money and do something with all the family instead.

Kirsty - posted on 05/10/2010

well my sons birthday is in september and i am planning on doing a family gathering with some friends and just to get a nice cake and so on. with presents and stuff