First Birthday Parties

[Symbi]

I'm curious what everyone has done for their lo's first birthday parties. We decided awhile ago that we wanted something fun but low-key--just us and his grandparents at home (all our family is out of town, but one set of grandparents can come). We would love more family to come if possible, but it isn't. I've seen a couple big deal first birthdays and didn't think that was for us, as the LO didn't really get what was happening too much, seemed tired, over-stimulated, etc. But I wonder if I've gone the other extreme having it so small? Just curious what others have done.

[alegna]

We did just family & a couple of our close friends, but both sides all immediate family is in town.

Head-count at dd's was somewhere around 20. It was at home- munchies, cake, ice cream.

-Angela

[Mama2Bug]

We invited family and a few of our friends that DD knew and saw regularly. We didn't even have any other children there, because we were the first of our friends/younger family to have a child and I didn't know any other mamas yet. We ordered pizza and I baked DD a carrot cake- which she didn't even try because she was still unwilling to eat most solid foods.

We asked everyone to give DD books instead of toys, if they wanted to bring a gift. That kept the present opening very short and prevented it from being over-stimulating.

Honestly, I think first birthdays are more for the family than the birthday child. It's a celebration of your child, but I feel like it's also kind of a celebration of yourself as a parent and your new family unit. Mostly a "We've made it this far and it's great!" sort of thing. The pictures are fun to look back on too.

DD had a good time, of course, but she would have had just as much fun taking a walk or getting a free balloon at the grocery store. In most cases, I think that really over-the-top first birthday parties are just a way of showing off- like showing just how big a bash you can throw if you want to. I don't think the birthday child generally cares one way or the other.

[Zannah]

For my son's first birthday we didn't live anywhere near family so we had the neighbors over for a barbecue. DS slept through almost all of it and wouldn't touch his cake. But we sure had fun.

[kirstenb]

We live out of state from both of our familes but we were going home a week after DS turned one so we had a party then. Nothing too big, just both of our families. We did BBQ and had a cake. It was more getting together with everyone while we were home. On DS's actual birthday we just had a few friends over for homemade pizza and cake.

[caro113]

We just started planning our daughter's first birthday party. She was just born in October, but we decided to start early so that family - who are very far away - can save up and come out here for the party. We invited all the siblings who have children - since we all had them within a year - and our parents and grandparents. Because of my love for build-a-bear, we have decided to do a BABW party. It's a bit over the top, but we want to make it special. We figured we do a bit thing for the first birthday and then small parties after that, having a big family party once every year or two to get all the kids together.

[Biscuits & Gravy]

We had family and a few friends with lots of food and a cake. I have a huge family which made the party size bigger than I really would have liked. DS was completely overwhelmed, just his personality. His 2nd birthday was much more our speed. Immediate family only (grandparents, uncles, aunt and 2 cousins), and he was able to enjoy the people he really loves.

I'm of the mindset that the size of the party isn't what is important. What is important is celebrating a special day with your child. I think your party sounds perfect!

[NYCVeg]

For dd's actual birthday, dh and I took her to the zoo and made her a little cake.

A couple of weeks later, we were visiting my ILs and they insisted on having a party for her. It was nice and low-key, though--at their house with extended family, a few gifts, a cake and snacks.

[Ks Mama]

For DD we met our family at the zoo. Fun for everyone!
For DS we met our family at the bowling alley. Again, so fun!

Our children are the only ones in both of our families, so we do try to create parties that are inclusive of everyone's interests. Both ideas worked well. Low key is key.

[soccermama]

DS's first b-day was family and close friends - probably close to 15 people. He really didn't seem overwhelmed - he was certainly "hamming it up" and enjoying himself. The party was only for 2 hours and it went by quickly. There was food and cupcakes. For his 2nd b-day, there was the same amount of people, but in a smaller setting and DS still seemed to enjoy himself. This year, we're having it outside of the home and are inviting a lot of his friends from daycare. He's really excited about it.
Small or big - it really makes no difference to us. When I was growing up, my family always made a big deal about my birthday and I would like to extend that to my son as well.

[ann_of_loxley]

Its really more for the parents tbh. We just had close family and friends and a BBQ!
I bought some matching party supplies - specifically for 1st birthdays -and made a cake and there we had it!
It was pretty much the same for his second and third birthday as well! - The only difference with his third birthday is that we hired a bouncy castle for the children to jump on! lol They all had a good time at all of his parties!

[mrspineau]

we are planning to have a superhero themed party, and there will be family and friends. we'll have a birthday cape for ds, and a superhero cake and decorations, and we will have a separate cake for ds to dig into with his hands and make a mess.

[Girlprof]

For DS, the official birthday party was tiny. Just the three of us plus two grandparents. Then we had a big "holiday open house" which was my private celebration about making it through the first year.

Both parties were great, but I felt afterwards like I would have liked to have it acknowledged that the big party was also about the birthday. But, I didn't want gifts.

For DD - who turns one tomorrrow *gasp*!! - we are having us and the grandparents and a few close friends. I expect it will be fewer than 15. We're just going to have munchies and cake and I specified no presents.

[MtBikeLover]

For my DS's first birthday, we just had his classmates from Gymboree over to play. It was just a big playdate and we requested no gifts. He did get a book from a good friend though. I served food and cake but we did not have any planned activities or any kind of theme.

We had no family in town so it was just a friends party. My DS had a blast, but he was a very social child and was playing with kids at that age. He ran around and had fun the whole time (about 2-2.5 hours). Plus, we got to socialize with the parents so we had fun as well.

For my DD's first birthday, she was not very social at all. My parents had been in town for my DS's 3rd birthday so the week before her actual birthday, we went to Chuck E Cheese and had a small celebration there with family only.

[lolar2]

Ours was small. FIL, one cousin with her husband and two kids, and one couple we are friends with and their son. I think we invited another family or two but they couldn't make it. It was the perfect size.