https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 26 Apr 2026 05:58:05 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/1-year-birthday-party-ideas#post-2803398 Sat, 10 Feb 2018 14:04:31 +0000 ElbieKay 2803398@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son's first birthday party wound up lasting five hours and was really a party for me, haha! We had a surprisingly high RSVP rate and wound up with about fifty adults plus a bunch of kids. The party started at 2pm, and we had a musician come to play for the kids from 2:30-3:30. The invitation suggested that child-free guests might want to come at 3:30 in time for cake (but to skip the kid's entertainment). By 5pm people were still socializing (but most of the parents with kids had left), so we ordered pizza. The last guests left around 7pm.</p> <p>ETA: We made the food ourselves: Tea sandwiches and scones. And we served beer, wine and sparkling rose as well as juice boxes for the kids. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/1-year-birthday-party-ideas#post-2803308 Fri, 09 Feb 2018 17:10:57 +0000 peaches1038 2803308@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@cake2017: we made all the food. A few quiches, bacon, fruit salad, cheese and I made cookies too </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/1-year-birthday-party-ideas#post-2803298 Fri, 09 Feb 2018 16:01:09 +0000 Portboston 2803298@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have a summer baby and a close friend who had their baby about a week after ours. So we did a joint party. Friends and grandparents (neither of us have family close) in the park. Had a friend do photography. No theme. We’re not theme people. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/1-year-birthday-party-ideas#post-2803207 Fri, 09 Feb 2018 12:36:25 +0000 lioneyes 2803207@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We invited family and friends. Planned to do it in the park across from our condo but then it was super windy and threatening thunderstorms so we moved it inside. It was crowded but fine.</p> <p>Did a woodland theme- buffalo plaid table cloth, moss "1", his name spelled out in those big mylar balloons, red plates/cups.</p> <p>Served hoagies and tomato pie, soda, lemonade and beer.</p> <p>Ordered bakery cupcakes with his initial on them in red and gold.</p> <p>Did the smash cake on his actual bday. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/1-year-birthday-party-ideas#post-2803203 Fri, 09 Feb 2018 12:18:31 +0000 Beehive 2803203@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For DS we had a party in our apartment with our friends, a mix of old friends (mostly without children) and new (with a few children also around 1 year old). We decorated with balloons and fans in blue/green/orange strips and polka dots (Oriental Trading Company), and served tea sandwiches, sausage rolls, mini lemon curd tarts and other British foods, along with iced tea and bellinis. We did a smash cake and a big cake for everyone else. I think the party was from 2-4pm.</p> <p>For DD (who just turned 1 actually) we had a party at a play space, as we had a mix of 5 year olds and 1 year olds (and a few kids in between), and there's no way we could entertain (or even contain) so many kids at our place. We had lots of pastel balloons, served the same kind of food (catered from the same restaurant) - tea sandwiches, mini quiches, mini shepherd's pie. The kids had pizza (and a few munched on the rest of the food as well). We had pink champagne and water as drinks, and a big cake at the party. We did our smash cake at home a few days before, on DD's actual birthday. The party was from 12-2. </p> <p>Both were fantastic parties - lots of fun for all the age groups (even the grownups) - and quite different in feel! Have fun planning your party. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/1-year-birthday-party-ideas#post-2803192 Fri, 09 Feb 2018 11:45:14 +0000 cake2017 2803192@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Becky: Dressing up is a cute idea! Also love Wegmans cake and food overall haha! Thanks!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/1-year-birthday-party-ideas#post-2803161 Fri, 09 Feb 2018 10:19:14 +0000 Becky 2803161@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DD1 has a Halloween bday so we did a “favorite fairytales” theme and people came dressed up. I made a pumpkin shaped cake and I think I may have made themed foods. It was in the later afternoon. Just family (my parents came from out of town). </p> <p>DD2 I got a balloon bunch from the grocery store because she loved balloons and called it a balloon theme. We invited some additional family (cousins with kids) who weren’t able to make it, and it was all people DD2 really liked. DD2 was a little skittish around crowds at that moment so I didn’t want a ton of people. Wegmans cake and party platters (no smash cake or professional photos for either kid btw). I think we did like 12ish time wise because we had to do Sunday and people were going to church. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/1-year-birthday-party-ideas#post-2803155 Fri, 09 Feb 2018 09:58:58 +0000 snowjewelz 2803155@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DD1 - We did winter ONEderland with family/friends, a few other children. We did 12-2, so in between her 2 naps. Didn't do smash cake</p> <p>DD2 - She had a joint party with her sister so it was Frozen themed haha. Just family this time so the only children were cousins. We did 4-6 this time since it's only family and we could just kind of transition from party to early dinner. No smash cake either! </p> <p>We just did 1 year old photos with both girls on another day. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/1-year-birthday-party-ideas#post-2803148 Fri, 09 Feb 2018 09:16:47 +0000 cake2017 2803148@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@krispi: We are having it in June and this is definitely something to consider. Maybe an early afternoon or a brunch! Thanks for the idea! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/1-year-birthday-party-ideas#post-2803147 Fri, 09 Feb 2018 09:09:18 +0000 krispi 2803147@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We invited immediate family and a few close friends. We had the party in the evening and grilled hamburgers and hot dogs. It was a summer party, so we had kiddie pools and outside toys set up for the kids. I also did evening so it wouldn't be quite so hot outside. Our theme was twinkle twinkle little star with pink and gold. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/1-year-birthday-party-ideas#post-2803144 Fri, 09 Feb 2018 08:53:41 +0000 cake2017 2803144@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@peaches1038: Soooo cute!!!! The cake looks so good too! What type of food did you serve? Cater? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/1-year-birthday-party-ideas#post-2803143 Fri, 09 Feb 2018 08:52:43 +0000 cake2017 2803143@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@erinbaderin: @crazydoglady: Love the themes and brunch idea!! It’s sweet and simple! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/1-year-birthday-party-ideas#post-2803142 Fri, 09 Feb 2018 08:51:57 +0000 cake2017 2803142@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jhd: So cute! I want to keep it small too! Debating if other kids should be there. He doesn’t have any younger cousins they are all teenagers notvin the area. He doesn’t attend daycare so no friends there yet. So maybe just family! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/1-year-birthday-party-ideas#post-2803141 Fri, 09 Feb 2018 08:49:19 +0000 cake2017 2803141@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gingerbebe: I love your genes! Very creative! We are leaning towards the nautical theme because he’s a summer baby! </p> <p>We wouldn’t serve alcohol either because we don’t drink! Two hours is the length i’m leaning towards too!!!!</p> <p>I’ll take a look at Oriental Trading! Thank you!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/1-year-birthday-party-ideas#post-2803139 Fri, 09 Feb 2018 08:43:45 +0000 cake2017 2803139@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@cyntist: That looked so nice! Simple and beautiful! Love the theme! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/1-year-birthday-party-ideas#post-2803133 Fri, 09 Feb 2018 08:21:51 +0000 cyntist 2803133@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I did a Very Hungry Caterpillar theme for my son, which I liked because it automatically gave me a menu! There were about 25 people (mostly ones we felt obligated to invite; I wanted it smaller). It lasted about two hours. </p> [attach=8882/18/p3vx4f.600x450.E4575917-84F0-4899-B064-8A37CB10790A.jpeg] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/1-year-birthday-party-ideas#post-2803115 Fri, 09 Feb 2018 01:23:02 +0000 gingerbebe 2803115@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS1 we did a nautical theme, he wore a little sailor looking suit, and we did red white and blue decorations. It was based on his nursery which was a whale theme. DS1 is Sam, so we had Sam-wiches (croissant platters from Costco) and sides. </p> <p>DS2 we a Hawaiian theme - he goes by Cal, so we had a Tropi-CAL Luau. We bought him a little Hawaiian shirt/short combo, another for DS, and DH and I wore Hawaiian shirts/dresses with a luau menu. </p> <p>Both boys had their parties for 2 hours. DS1 has his from 12-2pm and DS2 had his from 4-6pm. We served a full meal, had centerpieces that we’re edible (DS1 was various red candies, DS2 was goldfish in margarita glasses and Nutter Butter flip flops), and cake. No booze, but that’s just our preference. </p> <p>We sent people off with the centerpiece mason jars of candy for favors for DS1. DS2 everyone got plastic leis, sunglasses, and beach balls - all Oriental Trading.</p> <p>I always do a white cake with whipped white icing. Less mess and easy for the kids to eat. I also get a dollar store plastic tablecloth and put it under the high chair for the smash.</p> <p>We do the 1 year photos at a separate time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/1-year-birthday-party-ideas#post-2803107 Thu, 08 Feb 2018 23:07:26 +0000 erinbaderin 2803107@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For my older son, we had a party at our house with friends and family, probably 25 people. No real theme but we had a Very Hungry Caterpillar cake. I think the party started around 2. For my second son we did brunch with just my parents and brother, and then cake at our house. We also had cake smash/first birthday photos taken for both of them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/1-year-birthday-party-ideas#post-2803088 Thu, 08 Feb 2018 21:17:29 +0000 jhd 2803088@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We did a Twinkle Twinkle Little Star theme for a boy, because it was his favorite song. Basically lots of star shapes for food and decor and we did primary colors. I made a homemade pound cake with a star shape hidden inside. And I made mini cupcakes for the smash but he was afraid of it with everyone watching and didn’t eat a bite. I got video of him eating one that’s next day. ;)</p> <p>ETA We did family only: grandparents, aunts, cousins etc and it was early afternoon as that is what fit best with nap and everyone’s travel to get there. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/1-year-birthday-party-ideas#post-2803085 Thu, 08 Feb 2018 21:15:07 +0000 crazydoglady 2803085@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think morning parties (like 10) and serving brunch is usually a big hit! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/1-year-birthday-party-ideas#post-2803084 Thu, 08 Feb 2018 21:14:38 +0000 peaches1038 2803084@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We did “he’s a wild ONE”. It was adorable.</p> <p>[attach=1712/18/p3v28e.600x337.93510BE8-D344-4B87-875C-5FB40D93C709.png]</p> <p>ETA: we live very far from family, but my parents came to his party. We had just our friends there. We did brunch and it worked out well </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/1-year-birthday-party-ideas#post-2803082 Thu, 08 Feb 2018 21:09:09 +0000 cake2017 2803082@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What did you do for the 1st birthday?! </p> <p>Family only? Other children? Themes ofcourse!!!!:)</p> <p>Timeframe for party? Thinking 2 hours?! </p> <p>Smash cake photography!!</p> <p>I have sometime but I am a planner and love looking forward to exciting things to celebrate! </p> <p>Please share what you did or what you would like to do!</p> <p>Things to avoid?! </p>