Instead of a birthday party...1st birthday ideas

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Instead of a birthday party...1st birthday ideas

By bubblegum Jul 5, 2017

DD is far from turning 1 however, I really really DON'T want to have a birthday party, even something small turns into huge because of our family size. For DS 1st, we have a at home party a ended spending $500+ for a day he did not even enjoy.

I want to avoid that with DD but also feel slightly bad because I don't want her to grow up and feel like why did brother get a 1st birthday and I didn't.

At age 1, there's not really much they can enjoy but I'm hopeful that you ladies have ideas for me. One thing I must mention is I know DH's family will want to be involved. Just our parents and siblings alone are about 30 people. HELP!

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16 comments

Foodnerd81
wonderful cherry / 21504 posts

Jul 5, 2017

Could you go someplace she would like? Like a children's museum or zoo or wading pool (depending on time of year)? Then if people want to join you there, fine, but you don't have to host?

We've done a town splash pad and an indoor bounce house place for my older daughter's summer bday, just as a family. But we don't really have local family.
littlejoy
pomegranate / 3375 posts

Jul 5, 2017

Honestly, I don't think 1 year olds enjoy much ... the 1st bday party was very much about her, but mostly a celebration with our friends for making it through the first year.

If you skip a party, I probably wouldn't do anything. I don't even know if I had a 1st birthday party?? I'm sure she won't know or care, ha.

30 people (not even including friends) would be so stressful. I'd just do something nice as a family (your immediate family) like a park and a cupcake.
FaithFertility
eggplant / 11861 posts

Jul 5, 2017

Zoo!!!!!!
mrskansas
nectarine / 2813 posts

Jul 5, 2017

We had a big 1st birthday for my daughter and it was overwhelming. For her 2nd birthday we just took her out to eat Mexican food (her favorite) and bought a small cake for the three of us to enjoy at home.
We also avoided all the unnecessary toys!! It was great.
Mrs. Cereal
blogger / kiwi / 626 posts

Jul 5, 2017

Train ride? A lot of places have steam trains or scenic trains that you can do a two hour excursion. Most kids love the excitement and the movement, plus you can accommodate a bunch of people.
bubblegum
pear / 1717 posts

Jul 5, 2017

@Foodnerd81: That's an idea!! I just hope they don't expect me to set anything up.
@littlejoy: Exactly! Our immediate family is 30!! lol that's the problem. For DS birthday this year I invited just our immediate's and thankfully not all came but with it being her first I know they'll all show.
@FaithFertility: I totally would but it'll be too cold
T.H.O.U.
wonderful clementine / 24134 posts

Jul 5, 2017

I think having a special meal, a cake/dessert, some gifts and maybe special decor around the house (happy birthday banner, streamers on the door, balloons or setting out cards received) can all make a very special birthday.
littlejoy
pomegranate / 3375 posts

Jul 5, 2017

@bubblegum: I meant you, DH, LO1 and LO2. 30 is TOO MUCH!! If you feel pressure to do something to please your family, you could always say, "We are just keeping it low key. If you want to host something for her, just let us know."
bubblegum
pear / 1717 posts

Jul 5, 2017

@T.H.O.U.: I like that!!
@littlejoy: oh yes! lol that's more like it. I really think that's what I'm going to do. I don't want all the stress and DS's birthday is the following month too.
hocuspocus
apricot / 373 posts

Jul 5, 2017

We had a small bday for DD for her first but I regret doing even that. For her second bday we made a special cake and took her to the Long Beach aquarium. She loved it. I think a 1 yr old would enjoy that too! Or going to the zoo or An indoor baby/toddler playground!
erinbaderin
pomelo / 5573 posts

Jul 5, 2017

I know what you mean - for B I had a "big" party (my big wouldn't even include all of your family members!) with friends and family but for W's first birthday we'd just had everybody for a gymnastics party for B's third and I just wasn't up for another. Instead we did brunch at a nice restaurant with just my brother, his girlfriend, and my parents, and then cake at our house. It was easier for us because my husband's family is all far away so we didn't have to factor them in. I figure as long as there's a picture of the kid with a cake they'll see that they got some kind of celebration.
snowjewelz
wonderful kiwi / 23653 posts

Jul 5, 2017

We had a simple/small party at my parents house and didn't invite too many people. It was great! That was she was comfortable since she has been there before, and we didn't have to do any work
Mrs. Lemon-Lime
wonderful pea / 17279 posts

Jul 5, 2017

Our LO had fun just playing with his gifts.

I think a meal at a special place would be fun. Weather permitting that would be an outdoor picnic.

Going to the park or someplace new where they can wander and play is enough specialness for a 1 yr old IMO.
caterw
persimmon / 1445 posts

Jul 5, 2017

Ugh this is us too! We are very fortunate that all of our family and kids friends love our children and want to come to their birthdays but it makes for insanely large parties! For dd1's first and second birthdays, some of my fam traveled seven hours to be there. It's overwhelming for me to host huge bashes like that and I am just not doing it for either of my kids anymore.

I have been trying to convince DH that we should do a special little trip for them since my girls are only a month apart. I've been thinking of Great Wolf Lodge, DC zoo, Baltimore aquarium etc. with a one night hotel stay. The cost will be about the same or slightly less but I won't be stressed and we won't have to deal with the overload of gifts!
ALV91711
pomelo / 5621 posts

Jul 6, 2017

We don't have family close by or our celebrations would end up being huge with all the extended family.

When DS turned 1 my mom came out. I made cupcakes, we sang to DS and he opened presents. It was low key and great.

2nd Burthday was pretty much the same except my IL's were here too.

For his 3 & 4 birthday we invited a few daycare friends since he knew what a birthday party was. We still kept them pretty simple and mostly just let the kids play.

I think you should do something with just the 4 of you. A meal out and cake would be fun.
Kemma
grapefruit / 4291 posts

Jul 6, 2017

What about heading to the park or the beach for a picnic and just letting people know that's where you'll be if they'd like to join you?

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