https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 16 Apr 2026 21:13:17 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-birthday-party-dillema-whats-your-opinon#post-807248 Fri, 24 May 2013 11:25:17 +0000 ladyfingers 807248@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>First, I would never be offended by pizza ;)</p> <p>I think you should do the smaller group but do it at your house. I'd feel weird too if one aunt was hosting the party but no others were invited. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-birthday-party-dillema-whats-your-opinon#post-807244 Fri, 24 May 2013 11:22:38 +0000 chrispygal 807244@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrsbells: I'm working on it. :)</p> <p>@Koolbreeze: I have a friend who keeps telling me this - the kids will play with the other kids. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-birthday-party-dillema-whats-your-opinon#post-807242 Fri, 24 May 2013 11:21:42 +0000 chrispygal 807242@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@runsyellowlites: Our plan for food for 100+ was to smoke a crapload of pork butts and make pulled pork, grill burgers and dogs, and make large quantities of 3 sides - baked beans, cole slaw, and pasta salad. So yes - BBQ was the theme! haha! You are right about DH, he gets the work at the party, but not the planning, decorating, etc. </p> <p>@winniebee: I think Pizza would be fun too and it's simple - call and order $300 worth of pizzas. haha!</p> <p>@T.H.O.U.: Agreed, there is something special about being home. I just wish we had a better home and better logistics. </p> <p>@sloaneandpuffy: This is totally what I wanted to do. Now to convince DH! I agree if people have a problem, it's their choice to be there. They don't have to if they don't want to. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-birthday-party-dillema-whats-your-opinon#post-807221 Fri, 24 May 2013 11:13:58 +0000 runsyellowlites 807221@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>First, I think having it on a holiday weekend would actual help what's expected to be served! I would think any good ol' American favorite would work! It doesn't *have* to be bbq/burgers (although here in south texas bbq is expected at all family gatherings. lol). OR I think you could even do like a backyard potluck! Make use of the holiday gathering to take some of the stress off of yourself (we did a potluck for our Mother's Day gathering at my house &amp; it was GREAT!)</p> <p>Also, I would accept the aunts offer &amp; invite everyone. Since it's the holiday I think it's safe to assume that not everyone will come (you could always accidentally send some aunts/uncles invites a tad later too to help ensure they already have plans). If other family members have a problem with it then they either a. won't come (which just makes your guestlist even smaller) or b. get over it &amp; get to celebrate with you guys!</p> <p>I think it's great that your DH is so willing to help, but I don't think guys really understand everything that goes into hosting/planning a party so while his offer is sweet, it's not really all that much when thrown in the bucket of all there is to do.</p> <p>If you do do it at your house, definitely go with something smaller, see if maybe you can still do a potluck. atleast with maybe you &amp; the grandparents (I have NO problem asking for the grandparents to help with *THEIR* grandchild's celebration) and maybe get a small kiddie pool or some other water type activities (cheapy water guns, water balloons, etc).. really the kids will find plenty of ways to entertain themselves.</p> <p>I think we spent probably 500 with around 35 guests (I also spent money on menu items &amp; decor that I didn't use) so if you don't do what I did you could definitely make your budget! OH &amp; our house is super small (900 sq ft) and we don't really have a backyard... we did ours under our carport! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-birthday-party-dillema-whats-your-opinon#post-807219 Fri, 24 May 2013 11:12:49 +0000 chrispygal 807219@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The only real issue about the holiday weekend is getting invites out early (mentioned) and if we serve pizza over having a cookout, which is "traditional" 4th of July fare.</p> <p>@regberadaisy: We'd be right around 100. The issue is that some aunts and uncles have little kids, and others have grown kids and grandkids. And some folks in the family would think nothing of showing up with 6 kids, without letting me know. I would plan for this if we added aunts/uncles. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-birthday-party-dillema-whats-your-opinon#post-807217 Fri, 24 May 2013 11:12:28 +0000 winniebee 807217@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Well, I'm not sure if this is helpful but we have a very small house too. We thought of having our party at my parents but that could step on MIL's toes. We thoguht of having it at MILs but that would step on my parents' toes. We thought of having it at a restauant but that didn't seem like our style. So, we decided to have it at my sister's house - I still thought it could step on MILs toes, but it was fine.</p> <p>A pizza party sounds like fuN! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-birthday-party-dillema-whats-your-opinon#post-807206 Fri, 24 May 2013 11:07:54 +0000 regberadaisy 807206@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What will you be at if you invited aunts &amp; uncles but no cousins? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-birthday-party-dillema-whats-your-opinon#post-807202 Fri, 24 May 2013 11:06:54 +0000 T.H.O.U. 807202@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would do it at your house. I think there is something special about the first party being at home. </p> <p>I don't think entertaining that group should be a big deal. Have fun decorating your house. I had a few small toys set up and a small game for kids and that was it. The adults obviously entertain themselves. Another great conversation piece is always displaying some photos of your little one. People love to walk around and look at the photos and comment. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-birthday-party-dillema-whats-your-opinon#post-807194 Fri, 24 May 2013 11:03:52 +0000 mamimami 807194@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd do it at the aunt's place and invite everyone. They'll probably self-select. And when people ask if they can help or bring anything, say YES!</p> <p>We had a biggish first b-day party (maybe 60 ppl -- your smaller option) and I was so stressed I didn't have that great of a time. But I think there were many factors involved in this. But don't get your hopes up about kicking back and enjoying! :D</p> <p>PS if relatives have weird divorce-related issues between themselves, that's their problem, not yours. And definitely not your baby's! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-birthday-party-dillema-whats-your-opinon#post-807155 Fri, 24 May 2013 10:49:42 +0000 regberadaisy 807155@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>1) why is the holiday weekend a concern? Just treat it like any other weekend. But you better send invites soon bc that weekend books up fast for most.</p> <p>2) I would stick to the smaller 60 number! And because of this graciously decline the aunt's offer. :(</p> <p>3) I think with 60 and you have outdoors it will be OK. A little cozy but OK. Or another option is rent a shelter at a local park? Usually that's only like a $30~ fee. Again holiday weekend, look ASAP.</p> <p>4) We invited 40 and spent about $420 so for 60 I think it's COMPLETELY do-able within your budget.</p> <p>I broke down what I did and budget for M's 1st birthday here: <a href="http://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ms-springy-1st-birthday-party-details-amp-budget-pic-heavy" rel="nofollow">http://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ms-springy-1st-birthday-party-details-amp-budget-pic-heavy</a></p> <p>You can do this within budget!!! Feel free to ask any questions!!</p> <p>How old are the kid's invited? You can easily provide entertainment by purchasing some cheap items that LO can reuse for the summer. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-birthday-party-dillema-whats-your-opinon#post-807146 Fri, 24 May 2013 10:47:34 +0000 Koolbreeze 807146@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our boy's birthday parties are always 40-50 people (just family). Honestly, we never worry about entertainment. Kids play together and adults all enjoy relaxing and talking with each other. And I'd be totally fine with pizza! We've done pizza before too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-birthday-party-dillema-whats-your-opinon#post-807137 Fri, 24 May 2013 10:46:58 +0000 Mrsbells 807137@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would insist to do it at his aunts place since its a bigger and nicer venue. I think his extended family should just deal with it since its for a baby party! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-birthday-party-dillema-whats-your-opinon#post-807121 Fri, 24 May 2013 10:43:36 +0000 chrispygal 807121@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I apologize in advance, but this will be a long story to get to the question. LO is 10 1/2 months old so we are in the midst of party planning. We are very excited and want to do something, but there are a lot of challenges. Here are our biggest concerns/issues:</p> <p>1) LO was born on July 5th = holiday weekend. Not an issue per se, but a factor into what we plan.</p> <p>2) DH comes from two very large families, and we have lots of siblings and close friends. Guest list with keeping to immediate family, grandparents (ours), and closest friends is 60 people. If we add our aunts/uncles/cousins we're over 125. That's NUTS to me!!</p> <p>3) We have a very modest house with no way to fit all these people and we have a small backyard. It's nice, but small.</p> <p>4) We dont' have/want a huge budget for this. $500-$750 no problem. $1,500 no way.</p> <p>First world problems, I know, but I'd love some commentary or thoughts from my fellow bees. Originally we were going to include our aunts and uncles and open it up to the larger group but the stress of that was getting to me. We were not going to have it catered so how do we cook for that many people? We came up with a solution and it would have worked, but I started second-guessing this number of people. The smaller group of 60 is who we invited to our wedding. Having a first birthday party for a group larger than that is just kinda nuts. We want to do something but couldn't cut it back lower than the smaller group. So we made a little headway, party will be for the group of 60. It's a holiday weekend so we will likely get a few who can't make it, so it will be a very manageable 40-50 people, but that's still a lot of folks.</p> <p>DH's aunt has graciously offered us to have the party at her place. She has an AMAZING yard, giant pool, grassy area with volleyball net, place for kids to play, outdoor cabana and bar - just amazing. She has offered more than once and sincerely means it. I am all for it because this gives something people to do. It is usually very hot in July and we have NOTHING at our house for the kids to do, let alone the adults. I think it would be much more fun for everyone, but DH doesn't want to do it since he is worried it will cause issues within his extended family because we're not inviting everyone. Even if we were to invite everyone, he was worried his dad's side would feel uncomfortable (since the two families know each other from ages ago, and his parents are divorced). He just doesn't want to do it and wants to have the party at our place.</p> <p>So....party at our place totally stresses me out. He'll help, cook, clean, set up etc, but I am so worried about what to have these kids do or that people will be bored that it's all I can focus on. What I want to focus on is my invitations and decorations - the fun stuff for me. I really don't want to have to worry about games or entertainment at this party and I also don't want to spend the party cooking and serving everyone. I want to enjoy our company and my daughter. (I sound so whiny, huh? haha) So I came up with the idea that if we have to have it at our place that we just have pizza and salad, a giant cake, and then have the ice cream truck show up for anyone who wants ice cream. We could start around 3 or 4pm and just have it go for a couple of hours. DH is not thrilled with this idea either, but it removes so much of my stress. I can make pans of salad a day or two ahead of time, we have some pizzas delivered, drink some cocktails, and enjoy the night. It would be a short window versus having a cookout, so there is less concern for me with having something for the kids to do. </p> <p>Am I being unreasonable about worry about cooking/hosting a party for 50+ people in our small backyard? For those who've done a larger party, did you enjoy it at all? Would you be offended by pizza and salad on July 4th weekend? And, if you can answer this question you win the golden prize, why is this making me so crazy when I know the party itself is not what matters?? Help!! </p>