https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 08 May 2026 02:28:38 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/instead-of-a-birthday-party1st-birthday-ideas#post-2755471 Thu, 06 Jul 2017 03:36:41 +0000 Kemma 2755471@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/instead-of-a-birthday-party1st-birthday-ideas#post-2755466 Wed, 05 Jul 2017 23:48:40 +0000 ALV91711 2755466@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We don't have family close by or our celebrations would end up being huge with all the extended family. </p> <p>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. </p> <p>2nd Burthday was pretty much the same except my IL's were here too. </p> <p>For his 3 &amp; 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. </p> <p>I think you should do something with just the 4 of you. A meal out and cake would be fun. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/instead-of-a-birthday-party1st-birthday-ideas#post-2755457 Wed, 05 Jul 2017 22:31:05 +0000 caterw 2755457@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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.</p> <p> 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! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/instead-of-a-birthday-party1st-birthday-ideas#post-2755348 Wed, 05 Jul 2017 16:54:19 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2755348@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our LO had fun just playing with his gifts. </p> <p>I think a meal at a special place would be fun. Weather permitting that would be an outdoor picnic. </p> <p>Going to the park or someplace new where they can wander and play is enough specialness for a 1 yr old IMO. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/instead-of-a-birthday-party1st-birthday-ideas#post-2755249 Wed, 05 Jul 2017 14:36:53 +0000 snowjewelz 2755249@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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 :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/instead-of-a-birthday-party1st-birthday-ideas#post-2755242 Wed, 05 Jul 2017 14:29:49 +0000 erinbaderin 2755242@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/instead-of-a-birthday-party1st-birthday-ideas#post-2755236 Wed, 05 Jul 2017 14:18:40 +0000 hocuspocus 2755236@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/instead-of-a-birthday-party1st-birthday-ideas#post-2755234 Wed, 05 Jul 2017 14:13:47 +0000 bubblegum 2755234@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: I like that!!<br /> @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. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/instead-of-a-birthday-party1st-birthday-ideas#post-2755232 Wed, 05 Jul 2017 14:11:46 +0000 littlejoy 2755232@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@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." </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/instead-of-a-birthday-party1st-birthday-ideas#post-2755230 Wed, 05 Jul 2017 14:11:09 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2755230@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/instead-of-a-birthday-party1st-birthday-ideas#post-2755229 Wed, 05 Jul 2017 14:10:25 +0000 bubblegum 2755229@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: That's an idea!! I just hope they don't expect me to set anything up.<br /> @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.<br /> @FaithFertility: I totally would but it'll be too cold :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/instead-of-a-birthday-party1st-birthday-ideas#post-2755228 Wed, 05 Jul 2017 14:09:56 +0000 Mrs. Cereal 2755228@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/instead-of-a-birthday-party1st-birthday-ideas#post-2755227 Wed, 05 Jul 2017 14:09:52 +0000 mrskansas 2755227@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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.<br /> We also avoided all the unnecessary toys!! It was great. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/instead-of-a-birthday-party1st-birthday-ideas#post-2755223 Wed, 05 Jul 2017 14:05:37 +0000 FaithFertility 2755223@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Zoo!!!!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/instead-of-a-birthday-party1st-birthday-ideas#post-2755214 Wed, 05 Jul 2017 13:47:52 +0000 littlejoy 2755214@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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.</p> <p>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. </p> <p>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. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/instead-of-a-birthday-party1st-birthday-ideas#post-2755210 Wed, 05 Jul 2017 13:43:46 +0000 Foodnerd81 2755210@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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? </p> <p>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. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/instead-of-a-birthday-party1st-birthday-ideas#post-2755202 Wed, 05 Jul 2017 13:38:41 +0000 bubblegum 2755202@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>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. </p> <p>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. </p> <p>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! </p>