I'm trying to figure out where we're going to hold my kids' first birthday party, but before I can rent a place I need to decide on a time.
What time was your LO's first birthday party? As a mom, what time for other kids' parties work best for your LO?
I assume I should plan it around my babies' nap times, but they aren't on a consistent schedule right now, so I have no idea what it will be like in 4 months! What works best, between two naps, after an afternoon nap? In the morning?
hostess / wonderful watermelon / 39513 posts
My favorite party times are 10, 11, 12 because my kids usually nap after 1pm.
cherry / 204 posts
I like morning. This way it leaves the afternoon free to do other things. For a one year old party, I think 10:30 to 12pm is ideal. Enough time for a morning nap? And home in time for the afternoon nap.
GOLD / wonderful coconut / 33402 posts
We had it at 3, thinking she would have moved to 1 nap. We keep the same schedule as day care, 1130-130. Only she was still taking 2 on the weekends (for months). We had her take a cat nap that morning, running to get the cake with DH. Then we had her take one nap after lunch. Then just an early bedtime.
grapefruit / 4997 posts
We had it at noon because we were serving lunch too. It worked out because she napped afterwards.
pomegranate / 3565 posts
Our birthday parties start at 1 or 2. I don't worry about nap times. But I didn't have a consistent napper.
cantaloupe / 6164 posts
First of all, how are you planning their first birthday party already?! 
We did 11-1 for her first birthday, and it worked so well that we're doing the same time for her second birthday. She napped really well after the party!
If you're having other kids I would suggest 11ish or 4ish - that would put it before or after normal nap times.
wonderful grape / 20453 posts
We had it at 4:00, because E napped at 11am and 2pm. So we did a 4:00pm party with dinner for everyone.
GOLD / watermelon / 14076 posts
Ours was 2-4. I'm cheap (and suck at cooking) so I didn't want to have to provide a full meal. We just did heavy appetizers (mostly from Costco).
hostess / wonderful persimmon / 25556 posts
We did 4-6. It ran up against her bedtime which made her a little fussy but it worked out okay. I figure at 1, naptime is from 11-3 or 4 for all kids, somewhere in that range. So I would plan something around that. I like the early evening b/c by then all naps are done and you can do early dinner.
honeydew / 7230 posts
@photojane: Uh, I have no idea. Somehow they are 8 months already. I'm as shocked as you are!
Hmm, seems to vary quite a bit. We are thinking of having the party at a restaurant and I like the idea of doing brunch and mimosas so maybe we'll do early?
nectarine / 2636 posts
My DD is almost 1 and we are having her party from 330-5. She finished her 2nd nap by 3 and most other kids that are coming are finished napping by then. Plus we are going out to dinner afterwards with a few family members and I didn't want to serve a meal. Just a few snacks. I hope it works out well!
Eta: I'm having it at a venue, so that's another reason why I wanted it later. I wanted more time to get things ready at home before taking everything with us. If I could have it at my house, I would've done it in the morning, probably around 11.
papaya / 10343 posts
@twodoghouse: gahhh I cannot believe that we are having this conversation!!! But I've been thinking a little about Fiona's first birthday too and I was thinking around 11am probably? Few reasons. First, brunch is awesome. Second, I figure she'll probably be on two naps, so I would imagine 11am will be between those. Third, kids who are on one nap seem to nap in afternoon so that shouldn't interfere. Fourth, we will have family driving in from a few hours away so that gives enough time for them to get here without leaving too early, and drive home without it being too late.
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