Hellobee Boards Topic: Do you give your LO birthday parties every year?

Hellobee Boards Topic: Do you give your LO birthday parties every year? https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 10 May 2026 11:46:31 +0000 Trailmix on "Do you give your LO birthday parties every year?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-give-your-lo-birthday-parties-every-year/page/2#post-2520712 Sun, 10 Apr 2016 10:19:39 +0000 Trailmix 2520712@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Party every year, for sure! I love throwing parties and grew up with a birthday party every year, so would feel strange for me to not have one for my kids. travelgirl1 on "Do you give your LO birthday parties every year?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-give-your-lo-birthday-parties-every-year/page/2#post-2520683 Sun, 10 Apr 2016 08:40:10 +0000 travelgirl1 2520683@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I think we will. For DD's first three, we lived overseas and invited DD's closest friends, whose parents were our friends so it worked out great. This year we have a ton of family to think about so it will change the dynamics. For DS's first, we are going to have a picnic and cake in the grounds of a stately home and invite friends and family. I think we will always do some kind of party to celebrate them but I imagine the shape that takes will vary from year to year and be affected by where we are living. Mrs. Lemon-Lime on "Do you give your LO birthday parties every year?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-give-your-lo-birthday-parties-every-year/page/2#post-2520676 Sun, 10 Apr 2016 08:18:47 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2520676@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I don't plan on throwing a party every year. After the first birthday I think we will celebrate 2,3, and 4 with doing fun things and if a grandparent is in town they can tag along. Then parties with friends starting at 5 from then on out. yin on "Do you give your LO birthday parties every year?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-give-your-lo-birthday-parties-every-year#post-2520656 Sun, 10 Apr 2016 07:16:41 +0000 yin 2520656@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Every year I throw them birthday parties at home. We invite family and friends, and the house is usually packed. This year we're inviting school friends, but there's only 8 of them (plus some siblings). It's stressful but really fun for the kids. Dandelion on "Do you give your LO birthday parties every year?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-give-your-lo-birthday-parties-every-year#post-2520638 Sun, 10 Apr 2016 05:33:09 +0000 Dandelion 2520638@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I do them about every other year, alternating kids. On non party years, I take them somewhere fun for a day trip. M just turned 2, and we just had grandparents over. D hasn't actually had a birthday party in like 3 years, so I told him this year we can do it. (He'll be 9) HabesBabe on "Do you give your LO birthday parties every year?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-give-your-lo-birthday-parties-every-year#post-2520624 Sun, 10 Apr 2016 00:58:03 +0000 HabesBabe 2520624@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Just 1st birthdays for us. We might do annual parties once they're school aged. Char is turning 4 this summer and has been in preschool all year, but she said she only wants a family pool day ("with no friends!"). irene on "Do you give your LO birthday parties every year?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-give-your-lo-birthday-parties-every-year#post-2520618 Sun, 10 Apr 2016 00:29:11 +0000 irene 2520618@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I did have some kind of birthday partie for DS when he turned 1 and 3, but this year (4th) we didn't do anything and just had a small celebration with a very close friend + his best buddy. We had a great luncheon with mimosas and real food (instead of a slice of pizza and a bottle of water if you know what I mean ;-)) and we went to watch a theatre performance show for the very young (0-5 years old) and it was a blast. However, I think I'd cave next year and give him a big birthday party because honestly, I think kids at this age are obsessed on throwing a big party to have all their friends there. We gave him our half broken camera which he could take videos and pictures if he'd like. The other day we were looking at his pictures, and to our surprise, there was probably one night he didn't go to sleep immediately, and he shoot videos of himself and he goes somewhere along this line, "I love you, would you come to my birthday party? Oh ok, please come to my birthday party. Thank you bye bye". It was creepy in a way and made me sad that I didn't have a party for him this year. OldpuebloJenn on "Do you give your LO birthday parties every year?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-give-your-lo-birthday-parties-every-year#post-2520615 Sat, 09 Apr 2016 22:23:46 +0000 OldpuebloJenn 2520615@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @caterw: you could also request no gifts. We have every year for dd, and she still gets a few things, but it's much easier to manage. OldpuebloJenn on "Do you give your LO birthday parties every year?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-give-your-lo-birthday-parties-every-year#post-2520613 Sat, 09 Apr 2016 22:18:23 +0000 OldpuebloJenn 2520613@https://boards.hellobee.com/ For her first 3 years, we've thrown big parties for her- family, friends, lots of kids. For her 4th, and moving forward, she can have as many friends as her age, so 4 friends this year and have a smaller, activity directed party. LemonJack on "Do you give your LO birthday parties every year?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-give-your-lo-birthday-parties-every-year#post-2520612 Sat, 09 Apr 2016 22:10:14 +0000 LemonJack 2520612@https://boards.hellobee.com/ We'll just do small family parties. My sister's kids are older and other than the first birthday, that's what they've always done and it's great. We have a lot of time to just hang out and play with the kids and they love it. Every couple of years the kids also get a friend's party, but that's on a separate day. I think that's a good compromise. matador84 on "Do you give your LO birthday parties every year?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-give-your-lo-birthday-parties-every-year#post-2520342 Sat, 09 Apr 2016 07:41:40 +0000 matador84 2520342@https://boards.hellobee.com/ No, we only did them for their first birthday. I would rather put the money in their savings when they are younger. avivoca on "Do you give your LO birthday parties every year?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-give-your-lo-birthday-parties-every-year#post-2520329 Sat, 09 Apr 2016 07:18:44 +0000 avivoca 2520329@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I hate throwing parties. So I did a big one for her first and I tried to throw one for her second and it was a bust. Starting this year, they will be small family gatherings and I will do the occasional big one for milestone birthdays. autumnlove on "Do you give your LO birthday parties every year?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-give-your-lo-birthday-parties-every-year#post-2520269 Fri, 08 Apr 2016 22:38:18 +0000 autumnlove 2520269@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Most years! Alexandra603 on "Do you give your LO birthday parties every year?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-give-your-lo-birthday-parties-every-year#post-2520268 Fri, 08 Apr 2016 22:37:09 +0000 Alexandra603 2520268@https://boards.hellobee.com/ We had a big party for my daughter's first but I don't think we'll do a big one this for her 2nd - probably just cake and grandparents. erinpye on "Do you give your LO birthday parties every year?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-give-your-lo-birthday-parties-every-year#post-2520244 Fri, 08 Apr 2016 21:32:47 +0000 erinpye 2520244@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Most, but we skipped DD1's this year and just did some family stuff. Mrs. High Heels on "Do you give your LO birthday parties every year?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-give-your-lo-birthday-parties-every-year#post-2520242 Fri, 08 Apr 2016 21:31:37 +0000 Mrs. High Heels 2520242@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Did bigger parties for their 1st birthdays, didn't do any for either of their 2nd or 3rd. Threw a small at home party with a few close friends for DD's 4th, and a bigger one at an indoor playgym with family friends + preschool friends for her 5th. Would like to give her the option of going to a theme park or weekend getaway instead of a party for her 6th. And as she gets older, maybe we can do things like she can take some of her closest friends to the movies, have sleepovers, etc. I'd like to give them some options on how they'd prefer to celebrate. mrsjyw on "Do you give your LO birthday parties every year?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-give-your-lo-birthday-parties-every-year#post-2520229 Fri, 08 Apr 2016 21:05:18 +0000 mrsjyw 2520229@https://boards.hellobee.com/ We did a big one for one, haven't since and we'll throw a party w preschool friends in the fall for his fourth. Probably same for DS2 Raindrop on "Do you give your LO birthday parties every year?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-give-your-lo-birthday-parties-every-year#post-2520215 Fri, 08 Apr 2016 20:38:04 +0000 Raindrop 2520215@https://boards.hellobee.com/ So I think that this idea might change for people. I seriously thought I was going to have one each year but low and behold I didn't for my kids. They both had a big 1st birthday but the others have fallen through for small family gatherings which has worked out great! I hope when they get friends we can do just small friends ones but we will see. :) chopsuey on "Do you give your LO birthday parties every year?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-give-your-lo-birthday-parties-every-year#post-2520210 Fri, 08 Apr 2016 20:27:48 +0000 chopsuey 2520210@https://boards.hellobee.com/ they've both had parties every year. (5 and 3) next year DD's bday falls during her spring break, so we'll probably skip the party and go on a family trip instead. I say this now, but I get crazy emo when it comes to birthdays, so she'll probably have a party and we'll go on vacay too lol :P Mrs. Lion on "Do you give your LO birthday parties every year?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-give-your-lo-birthday-parties-every-year#post-2520207 Fri, 08 Apr 2016 20:24:49 +0000 Mrs. Lion 2520207@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Low key birthdays every year! I don't plan on doing anything extravagant, but something to make them feel special and loved! We will have combined birthdays for a few more years while we are inviting mostly family and close friends (birthdays are only 2 weeks apart) but once they are inviting friends they will have their own. :) yerpie110 on "Do you give your LO birthday parties every year?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-give-your-lo-birthday-parties-every-year#post-2520204 Fri, 08 Apr 2016 20:22:10 +0000 yerpie110 2520204@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Nope. Dd1 had a huge first birthday party (DH is Korean and it is a cultural tradition) and hasn't had one since (she's currently 3). She'll certainly have a party if and when she asks for one, but she hasn't yet and I'm going to wait on her. catomd00 on "Do you give your LO birthday parties every year?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-give-your-lo-birthday-parties-every-year#post-2520198 Fri, 08 Apr 2016 20:08:51 +0000 catomd00 2520198@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I wouldn't have done one this year at 2 but DH insisted, so I'm guessing it will be e dry year. She did have tons of fun, though. I just need to reel in my party planning desire so I don't end up stressed and spending so much on decor! mrsjazz on "Do you give your LO birthday parties every year?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-give-your-lo-birthday-parties-every-year#post-2520188 Fri, 08 Apr 2016 19:52:41 +0000 mrsjazz 2520188@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I love parties. We've had a party every year (though 2nd birthday was just a party at home with family). Her birthday party next weekend will be big and it's the first party that she helped planned and has school friends to invite. We won't always go big, but will probably do a birthday party every year that she wants one. I LOVE birthdays & parties and I'm living vicariously through her since the days of me throwing parties for my birthday seem to pretty much be over (my birthday is exactly 2 weeks after hers). Mrs. Pickle on "Do you give your LO birthday parties every year?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-give-your-lo-birthday-parties-every-year#post-2520184 Fri, 08 Apr 2016 19:48:54 +0000 Mrs. Pickle 2520184@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Yes, I'll be throwing a party for DD every year. ms.line on "Do you give your LO birthday parties every year?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-give-your-lo-birthday-parties-every-year#post-2520162 Fri, 08 Apr 2016 19:19:55 +0000 ms.line 2520162@https://boards.hellobee.com/ My husband and I are major introverts and hate entertaining, so I can't imagine we'll be having any parties beyond our family until LO is in school/old enough to ask for one. daniellemybelle on "Do you give your LO birthday parties every year?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-give-your-lo-birthday-parties-every-year#post-2520116 Fri, 08 Apr 2016 17:38:38 +0000 daniellemybelle 2520116@https://boards.hellobee.com/ As long as they want, we'll have a party every year where grandparents, aunts & uncles are invited and LO(s) can invite friends. That doesn't mean it will be a "big to do" every time but they'll be a party. Torchwood on "Do you give your LO birthday parties every year?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-give-your-lo-birthday-parties-every-year#post-2520090 Fri, 08 Apr 2016 16:35:15 +0000 Torchwood 2520090@https://boards.hellobee.com/ It'll be up to her, but the default is yes, big party every year. But we might talk to her about doing something special with just one friend (like a trip to Dollywood, which is not far) if she's more into that. Mrs Green Grass on "Do you give your LO birthday parties every year?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-give-your-lo-birthday-parties-every-year#post-2520077 Fri, 08 Apr 2016 16:20:20 +0000 Mrs Green Grass 2520077@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I had a party every year and so will LO. Most will be at our house...I love birthdays! By they sure don't have to be all-out craziness. caterw on "Do you give your LO birthday parties every year?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-give-your-lo-birthday-parties-every-year#post-2520064 Fri, 08 Apr 2016 16:11:41 +0000 caterw 2520064@https://boards.hellobee.com/ We have had enormous, elaborate parties for DD for her first and second birthdays. I really enjoyed planning them and my mom is a huge help (plus we are both Pinterest nuts so parties give us a chance to use some of the cute things we have found). The downside to huge parties is that DD gets SO. MANY. GIFTS. It is unmanageable, and then Christmas is two months later. Little kids do not need to receive 30 presents (and in fact, my daughter got upset at her birthday and on Christmas because she just wanted to play with her toys instead of having to unwrap them all). This year, I will be 37 weeks pregnant on her birthday so we decided to do something low key. We are pretty close to DC, so I think we are going to drive up for the day and go to the American Girl store for tea and maybe go to the zoo. I'm going to gift her my old Felicity doll with her book 1 outfit and then make (or buy, depending on how gross I feel) an outfit for her and the doll to match. Only DH and grandparents will be invited. I'll probably have another big, shared party the following year for DD's 4th birthday and the baby's first birthday since they will be 3 weeks apart and continue to share their birthday party until they start to complain lol. I am going to request that people don't buy gifts, especially because I don't want people to feel like they need to buy two things. If someone is really desperate to get my kids a present (like grandparents), I am going to ask for rec center classes or children's museum memberships or stuff like that. psw27 on "Do you give your LO birthday parties every year?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-give-your-lo-birthday-parties-every-year#post-2519968 Fri, 08 Apr 2016 14:45:30 +0000 psw27 2519968@https://boards.hellobee.com/ For his first birthday, we just had a little family party at my parents house (just us and my parents). We were in a tough housing situation so we couldn't host anything. This year, I might try to host something at my house depending on how things are going. Or maybe at My Gym (at gymnastics place) for his "friends". I figure we will try to do something for him every year until he just wants to do something with his friends - like go to a basketball game or something.