https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 29 Jul 2026 12:17:01 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-time-to-have-1st-birthday-party#post-1041471 Sat, 24 Aug 2013 12:49:11 +0000 autumn865 1041471@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I voted (and were doing) 3-5 or later. We are doing full meal food (BBQ burgers, hotdogs and other BBQ type sides). 3 just worked out best with nap schedules. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-time-to-have-1st-birthday-party#post-1041459 Sat, 24 Aug 2013 12:39:19 +0000 Mrsjets 1041459@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>At a year DS had naps at 9 and 3 so we did a brunch party. With your schedule I'd go with the 3-5 party. It should be about what works best for the birthday boy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-time-to-have-1st-birthday-party#post-1041416 Sat, 24 Aug 2013 12:04:44 +0000 beachbee 1041416@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ours will begin at 10:30am. I stressed a little about timing, but I know no matter what time I choose based on her current schedule something will change before party day. Luckily LO is very flexible with naps, so I hope she will just be ok to take a little later nap that day. We'll see :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-time-to-have-1st-birthday-party#post-1039209 Fri, 23 Aug 2013 09:55:24 +0000 regberadaisy 1039209@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrskc: haha I totally stressed out too about timing. But I think day of she barely napped at all and was totally fine. But she is always fine when there are people around and excitement.! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-time-to-have-1st-birthday-party#post-1039202 Fri, 23 Aug 2013 09:52:51 +0000 Freckles 1039202@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would basically work around LO's schedule to mitigate any potential meltdowns. LO doesn't necessarily have to be awake when the party starts. I planned it so that she would be awake 30 minutes after people arrive, but it happened that she woke up a little earlier that day and woke up at the start of the party. </p> <p>I know i said 10am is fine, but you're right, it may be a bit earlier for some guests who don't have kids. I go with 3-5! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-time-to-have-1st-birthday-party#post-1039192 Fri, 23 Aug 2013 09:48:18 +0000 mrskc 1039192@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I added more poll options. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-time-to-have-1st-birthday-party#post-1039190 Fri, 23 Aug 2013 09:47:38 +0000 bunnylove08 1039190@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ours is starting at 11. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-time-to-have-1st-birthday-party#post-1039187 Fri, 23 Aug 2013 09:46:07 +0000 mrskc 1039187@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@locavore_mama: He usually goes to bed between 7-8. It's usually about 5 hours after he wakes up from his nap. The latest he naps is usually 3 pm. </p> <p>@MamaBehr: yes, I definitely want to plan it around his nap schedule. I also want it to be a good time for guests too, but I know it won't be convenient for everyone. </p> <p>Gosh, I don't know why picking a time is so hard. lol I think because his normal nap time of 12:30-2:30 is kind of a weird time. maybe 2:30-4:30 would work? Aaaand then I think that maybe morning would be better. I can't decide! It's not going to be until mid October so i have some time to think about it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-time-to-have-1st-birthday-party#post-1038944 Fri, 23 Aug 2013 08:30:18 +0000 Pink Champagne 1038944@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I voted 11-1 but 3-5 could work too. I think most kids have an afternoon nap around 2, so if you're inviting a lot of little ones, it might be good to work around that so that your guests don't leave mid-party. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-time-to-have-1st-birthday-party#post-1038940 Fri, 23 Aug 2013 08:29:00 +0000 teamjse 1038940@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We had lo's party at 3pm after his nap. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-time-to-have-1st-birthday-party#post-1038935 Fri, 23 Aug 2013 08:26:45 +0000 MamaBehr 1038935@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would do it based on your LOs nap schedule. If other people can't make it that's ok. Ultimately you want to make sure that his day is good and you, as a family, enjoy it. I think for DD's first we had it late, like 4 or 5. For DS's (it was combined with DD's third birthday) it was 11 to 1. But, mine go down for naps at 2. </p> <p>Personally, I like birthday parties that are early, that way they are pooped for nap. hahaha </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-time-to-have-1st-birthday-party#post-1038918 Fri, 23 Aug 2013 08:20:07 +0000 regberadaisy 1038918@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I voted 3-5 but I think 2-4. That way he will be nice and rested when all the guests are already here.</p> <p>When is his bed time? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-time-to-have-1st-birthday-party#post-1038246 Thu, 22 Aug 2013 21:34:36 +0000 Mrs. Pen 1038246@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We did 1pm based on J's nap schedule. At 12 months he napped from 10-12 and then from 3-4:30. So having a 1pm party was perfect for us. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-time-to-have-1st-birthday-party#post-1038228 Thu, 22 Aug 2013 21:28:37 +0000 mrsjyw 1038228@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS naps at 11 and 3 usually.... we're planning on either a noon or 4 pm party! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-time-to-have-1st-birthday-party#post-1038176 Thu, 22 Aug 2013 21:11:19 +0000 mrskc 1038176@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Freckles: do you think 10 am is too early? DH says 10 and I think we should have it later in the day after 2:30. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-time-to-have-1st-birthday-party#post-1037359 Thu, 22 Aug 2013 17:48:38 +0000 mediagirl 1037359@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ours was 4pm because I knew we could time the afternoon nap better than the morning naps. Our friends with kids always had events at 4,too so it seemed to work out well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-time-to-have-1st-birthday-party#post-1037334 Thu, 22 Aug 2013 17:44:12 +0000 Freckles 1037334@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would do after nap to accommodate his nap schedule. Back when i did LO's 1st birthday, we did it around 1:30 because she usually woke up around then. It was after lunch, but i still provided lots of food. </p> <p>I think 10am is good too because naps won't be until later in the day. But if you have people still on a 2 nap schedule, that may inconvenience them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-time-to-have-1st-birthday-party#post-1037318 Thu, 22 Aug 2013 17:38:31 +0000 chopsuey 1037318@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you wanna avoid a meal expectation you could do 2:30-4:30. People are usually late anyway.<br /> And hors d'oeuvres are good! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-time-to-have-1st-birthday-party#post-1037314 Thu, 22 Aug 2013 17:36:33 +0000 mrskc 1037314@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@autumnlove: a plus to 10 am is it gets it out of the way early in the day. But I didn't know how early that would be for people. We're usually up by 7, so 10 isn't early to us. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-time-to-have-1st-birthday-party#post-1037298 Thu, 22 Aug 2013 17:31:43 +0000 mrskc 1037298@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsHotDog: I think you're right. I wasn't sure what normal nap times were for other people. So probably having it after his nap would be best. </p> <p>@chopsuey: is 3-5 a good time you think? People wouldn't expect a meal at that time, right? I thought about doing a dinner time party too... hmmmm </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-time-to-have-1st-birthday-party#post-1037297 Thu, 22 Aug 2013 17:30:47 +0000 Smurfette 1037297@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I voted 3-5! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-time-to-have-1st-birthday-party#post-1037296 Thu, 22 Aug 2013 17:29:13 +0000 autumnlove 1037296@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I like 10 am parties! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-time-to-have-1st-birthday-party#post-1037293 Thu, 22 Aug 2013 17:28:51 +0000 chopsuey 1037293@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think 11-1 is a pretty popular nap window for most kids..<br /> We did 4:30-6:30 for DD's 1st. Served an early dinner.<br /> I voted 3-5. </p> <p>I'm planning on doing a brunch for DS' 1st at noon. So right after his first nap. (not sure what naps will look like when he's 1, but we'll see) . </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-time-to-have-1st-birthday-party#post-1037288 Thu, 22 Aug 2013 17:27:01 +0000 MrsHotDog 1037288@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We always miss parties that start between 11 and 2 due to nap time. I think most kids nap somewhere between 11 and 1 so anytime after that is best, I think. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-time-to-have-1st-birthday-party#post-1037272 Thu, 22 Aug 2013 17:20:02 +0000 mrskc 1037272@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I can't decide when would be the best time to have DS's first birthday party. At daycare he normally naps 12:30-2/2:30 pm. Sometimes will take a short morning nap. We try to mimic this on the weekends, but sometimes he ends up taking a longer morning nap. </p> <p>I initially thought a late morning party w/ brunch food would be the best. 11-1. But I started thinking about how he might be super tired by the end of the party and maybe cranky unless we get him to take a long morning nap. is 10 am too early to have a party?</p> <p>My other thought is to have it after his nap, 3-5. I wonder how that timing would work with other kiddos nap schedule? the plus to 3-5 is I wouldn't have to do a meal. Probably just appetizer type food. </p> <p>What do you guys think? </p>