Jeanie - posted on 05/16/2009 ( 16 moms have responded )
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My girl is turning 1 year old on June 2nd... We live in an apartment so there's not much room for a party for her and to be honest we really don't have the money to throw one for her. What we would like to do is take her to the zoo near us, just daddy, mommy and Hailey. Is it bad that we want to share an intimate day with her instead of having a party?
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Kimberly - posted on 05/01/2013
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I am so glad I found this online. My daughter is turning 1 in July and we are taking her to the Fort Worth Zoo. Like you I was feeling guilty because we were not having a big bash for her birthday. I started out trying to plan this big lavish and over the top party. I soon realized with the help of my husband that was not a good idea. I am so excited about taking her to the zoo. We are only inviting the immediate family. She's going to have so much fun. In the end, that's all that matters.
Jeanie - posted on 05/20/2009
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Well... I talked to my mom and she thinks it's a wonderful idea as well. So it will be Hailey (THE BIRTHDAY GIRL! hehe) Mommy, Daddy, Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Travis and cousin Aria (turning 4 yrs old in July). Should be a wonderful day for us all! =)
Thank you everyone for you opinions! Really helped me out since I was kinda getting a guilt trip from a few people about not having a party ! I feel tons better and am really excited!
Samantha - posted on 05/18/2009
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The zoo is a lovely idea. She will get sch a kick out off all the new things to see. Make sure you take lots of photos, maybe put a birthdya hat on her and you will have some lovely keepsake photos without the mess and expense of a party! If oyu have randparents etc that want to spend the day with her then let them come along as well.
My little girl turns 1 June 2nd too. Happy Birthday to them both!
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That sounds great!!! I wish I would have done something like that. My little ones party was great bit much larger than what I wanted it to be. I would say it would be nice to invite grandma and grandpa along too. Also, if you go to ur local grocery store you can buy a large single cupcake, some stores will give it to you for free for 1st bdays. Have fun.
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Thats a great idea - might use it for my daughters first b'day too :)
Annie - posted on 05/17/2009
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Not at all! I always think that 1st year parties are more for the parents than for the baby who won't remember it at all. She will, however, enjoy the photos of her 1st birthday later in life. : ) Happy birthday to your baby, and congratulations to you!
Peggy Garcia - posted on 05/16/2009
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That's a great idea you have! That way you'll enjoy her birthday, instead of making sure if everyone at the party is doing ok.
Jeanne - posted on 05/16/2009
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No not in the least. She is so young that firstly she will not remember the party and also a lot of people with a lot of commotion is very confusing for a child that age. Going to the zoo sounds like a great idea (especially if she loves animals) and make it extra special by having her favorite meal for supper, i.e. spaghetti or hot dogs, for one night you can skip the perfectly balanced meal and spoil her that way.....trust me bigger parties are better as they are older....and another tip for next year....they say you should never invite more kids than your childs age, so next year she will be two so only invite two friends over for her. Have a great day at the zoo.
Marie - posted on 05/16/2009
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the zoo is a great idea take lots of pictures and put them in a scrap book they memories will last forever for both of you that way
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No its not. Its great to spend the time together on something special just for her. If you did want a party though a cheap way is to invite some other parents with thier kids to a local park to play together and take some photos just tell the other parents you are only bringing a cake and have afternoon tea. That way when they ask about thier 1st party you will have photos of them playing with other kids and blowing out the candles on thier cake.
Anyway enjoy your day at the zoo they grow up way too quick and every special moment is precious. Always take lots of photos.
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If you have family nearby...say, her grandparents, or aunts & uncles...they would probably enjoy spending the day with her as well. I agree that the big blow-out parties are too overwhelming for that age. Just take pictures!
Kristy - posted on 05/16/2009
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hi, i think thats a great idea!!! we went to the zoo for my nieces first birthday and the kids had a ball! I think its more special when there are less people around! Dont feel bad at all great idea!!!
Kelly - posted on 05/16/2009
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That's not bad at all. She's won't remember this birthday so I think a nice day together is a great idea- esp. if money and space are an issue.
Wendy - posted on 05/16/2009
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No, it's not. They tend to get cranky with to many people around all for them. They Say a 1st birthday is more for the parents then the child! I thik the Zoo would be a lovely idea
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MOST HELPFUL POSTS
Donna - posted on 05/17/2009
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Save your money for a time when she will remember and talk about the party.
Go to the zoo, take lots of pictures you'll get a fun birthday memory and a bunch of animal photos to put in a book. There are blank books and blank board books that you can buy. They are pretty cheap too, put the photos in it and talk about and enjoy the memories for years to come. She'll grow fast enough and isn't going to remember her first party. If you go to the Zoo and make the book she will have active memories of the book and the special time spent looking through it for years to come.
If you are getting asked by family members about it, that is easy to solve too. A-lot of people want to be involved with a first birthday. Go to the Zoo take photos and make many books then have a simple birthday dinner and supply a Hailey's First Birthday At The Zoo Book to them. Fun memories all around.
Hope this helps.
Jeanie - posted on 05/17/2009
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Thank you all for your input! I felt a little guilty but after reading all your responses I'm definitely going to stick with this! The zoo we're going too isn't a huge one, we're going on a Tuesday during the day so it shouldn't be too busy and she absolutely LOVES animals so I'm sure she'll have fun! My parents live near us so I had already planned on inviting them to come along and if my brother wants to come with his 3 year old girl I thought that would be nice too.
THANK YOU ALL! =) I feel a lot better!