https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 13 Aug 2026 23:26:44 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/1st-birthday-party-does-this-sound-good#post-1931908 Thu, 06 Nov 2014 07:34:05 +0000 78h2o 1931908@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How old are the kids who are attending? Most 2 year olds I know nap somewhere between 12-4, so I might be inclined to start at 3 or 4. I think since you are doing snacks, 3-5 might be good. If all the kids are younger, then 2-4 might work. When does your LO nap? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/1st-birthday-party-does-this-sound-good#post-1931903 Thu, 06 Nov 2014 07:25:02 +0000 Adira 1931903@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Two hours sounds good to me. I think as long as you have food, people will be happy. We opened gifts in front of guests, but I've definitely seen it both ways. We didn't have any games planned - just people hanging out, eating and mingling. The only "activities" were singing Happy Birthday to Xander and having him smash his cake and then opening presents. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/1st-birthday-party-does-this-sound-good#post-1931819 Wed, 05 Nov 2014 23:24:47 +0000 Mrs. D 1931819@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Two hours is fine.<br /> We opened gifts in front of her guests. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/1st-birthday-party-does-this-sound-good#post-1931493 Wed, 05 Nov 2014 18:46:37 +0000 Applesandbananas 1931493@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@littlejoy: I've seen a couple parties where the hostess has turned a room into a playroom by gating off a room and pulling in several toys and removing hazards. For one, it was her dining room she gated off, she just moved the table to another room (and used it as a present table) and then the kids had a big room to run around and tons of toys to play with. It was a big hit! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/1st-birthday-party-does-this-sound-good#post-1931487 Wed, 05 Nov 2014 18:44:18 +0000 littlejoy 1931487@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Would 2-4 be a good time of the day for most people? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/1st-birthday-party-does-this-sound-good#post-1931470 Wed, 05 Nov 2014 18:31:54 +0000 yoursilverlining 1931470@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think 2 hours is good; most people left ours after about 2 hours and then close family and some friends stayed longer (the offer to stay longer was made!). </p> <p>For LO's first birthday we opened gifts and then for her 2nd we requested no gifts. Some people did still bring gifts and we just told them privately that we would open the gifts after the party. It was much less stress to not open gifts! </p> <p>We have out favors and have received favors at every party LO has been to; but I also wouldn't be surprised/offended not to receive a favor. I don't think they are make or break at all.</p> <p>For both of LO's parties we've had some activities out for little kids to do (craft table type things), and then of course they could also play with LO's toys too :)</p> <p>As long as your party isn't scheduled over the lunch hour, I think it's totally fine not to serve a full meal or a ton of food. Have fun! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/1st-birthday-party-does-this-sound-good#post-1931450 Wed, 05 Nov 2014 18:01:58 +0000 mrs.shinerbock 1931450@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>2 hours is probably good. We had sidewalk chalk, bubbles and some balls for the kids to play with and the favor bags had some bath crayons I picked up in the Target $1 bin. As long as it is not close to a meal time, I think snacks and cupcakes will be great. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/1st-birthday-party-does-this-sound-good#post-1931429 Wed, 05 Nov 2014 17:37:34 +0000 dolphin 1931429@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>2 hours is good. I didn't have DD open gifts in front of guests and I've never been to birthday party where the kids open gifts either. Favors are not a must but kids tend to like them so I always give out a fun gift bag just for the kids. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/1st-birthday-party-does-this-sound-good#post-1931416 Wed, 05 Nov 2014 17:28:17 +0000 mauxie 1931416@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think 2 hours is good! I didn't open gifts in front of guests (not the norm for Korean 1st bdays around here) but have attended 1-3 year old parties where gifts were opened. </p> <p>I would get some toys or chalk, bubbles, etc for the kids. I don't think formal games are needed but just something to keep them occupied! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/1st-birthday-party-does-this-sound-good#post-1931414 Wed, 05 Nov 2014 17:26:37 +0000 regberadaisy 1931414@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think all that sounds great. In regards to favors; how old are the kids? </p> <p>Opening presents can go either way. We made a game time decision to not open gifts at her because we could tell people people were starting to get antsy and we still hadnt done the cake yet. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/1st-birthday-party-does-this-sound-good#post-1931410 Wed, 05 Nov 2014 17:25:07 +0000 blackbird 1931410@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Two hours is probably totally fine! We opened gifts in the evening so we could actually hang out with our friends. Friends totally got that and loved not having to watch us open a million gifts. Family, however, stayed late and wanted to watch us open everything (and some, ahem, my mom, were super offended). Sorry but I am throwing a big party and I would like to enjoy it, too :) We had lots of food (it was during dinner time), things like sidewalk chalk and coloring books for the kids, and adult beverages for the adults, plus lots of desserts. Everybody was happy and content to eat and mingle. </p> <p>I would go to the dollar store and find a few things to keep the kids busy....and set out toys that you think they'll want to play with. Worked great for us </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/1st-birthday-party-does-this-sound-good#post-1931368 Wed, 05 Nov 2014 17:09:48 +0000 MapleMoose 1931368@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>As long as there's a nice variety of food I'm a happy party-goer :wink: </p> <p>ETA: We opened gifts while everyone was there because people wanted to see LO's reaction to their gift. Great photo opportunities too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/1st-birthday-party-does-this-sound-good#post-1931350 Wed, 05 Nov 2014 17:01:14 +0000 littlejoy 1931350@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our LO will be turning 1 very soon. We are far from family, so we'll be inviting friends to her party. </p> <p>There will be 15-20 adults, and 5-6 kiddos. Want to keep it simple. I really have no idea how to do this. Ha! </p> <p>I'm thinking of keeping it to 2 hours. Having a little snack bar, drinks for kids, drinks for adults. A little photo display from the year, and a little cake that we'll make for her. Cupcakes for everyone else? </p> <p>What about gifts? I assume people will bring gifts. Is it normal to open gifts while they're there? (I've never been to a kid's birthday party.) </p> <p>Is 2 hours enough time? Too long? Anything I'm missing? Favors? Ok to keep it super low key? Games for the kids? Most will be under 3.</p> <p>In the grand scheme of things, I know this isn't the biggest deal, but could use some guidance. Even things you LOVE or don't love from parties you've been to. </p>