How far in advance do you plan your child's birthday party?

[TheOtherVillainess]

And it is it silly to plan one for a soon-to-be one year old?

As you can see by my counter *pointypointpoint!*, DS's birthday is coming up in a few months. I want to start planning now, but I'm not sure if it's too soon or if I should even plan a party for DS,since it's just going to be mostly family and a couple of friends.

Alright..I confess I have a complex. When the neighbors (B and H) had a party for their DD when she turned one last July, it was an extravaganza. The house was covered in themed decorations, they had a giant blowup palm tree in the backyard (they did a luau theme), had alcoholic 'luau' theme drinks for the adults and little fish-themed gift packs for the kids. Their DD was dressed in a coconut bra and grass skirt with a lei around her neck and flowers around her ankles. Even the snacks/buffet was luau-themed---lots of pineaple and tropical stuff. The finger sandwiches were shaped like fish even. I want to outdo what B and H did but I don't know how. How can you even outdo something like that anyway?

Any suggestions? Help?
Thanks.

TOV

 

[huey duey & luey]

I tend to plan early, and be somewhat obssessive. For my kids for birthday I had about 100 people and a rented a hall, I probably started planning atleast 4-5 in advance (booking the date, caterer, entertainment etc). Last year I had it in my backyard we did an easter theme with an Easter egg hunt, decorating eggs, pin tail on bunny etc. The only problem is it started raining and I had 25 2 year olds in my house. This year I just booked the place where I am having the party (Party Gym) the other day their birthday ins mid march so about 2 1/2 months in advance. My theme this year is a 3 ring circus for my 3 turning 3 . I wouldnt worry about outdoing the neighbors. just have fun Start by picking a theme, maybe a character your sons likes and go from there.Good Luck

 

[TheOtherVillainess]

I was thinking about doing either a Between the Lions or a Dragon Tales theme, since everything we've done since before he was born was Pooh-themed and I'm sure the relatives/friends are getting a little sick of seeing that fluffy yellow bear hanging around.

There is a local party store where I could get decorations and such for rather cheap, I think. I'll have to ask H where she got her tropical theme stuff for her DD's party.

TOV

 

[becka]

A big party sounds like too much stress for me. I wanted to keep birthdays simple so everyone (including me) could enjoy them.

I probably started thinking about DS's 1st birthday about 2 months in advance. I started by picking a date so we could let relatives know to save that date and then I picked a theme. We went with Mickey Mouse. For the actual party we had maybe 8 guests and only one other kid - my BF's little boy who turned one 10 days before DS. I made a Mickey cake, bought some balloons, streamers, party hats, etc.. and I just did some finger foods for our guests - cheese/crackers, fruit tray, etc.. It was not too much stress for me and pretyty low key but all of us were able to enjoy his birthday.

Last years was pretty much the same but I did add little gift bags for DS, my BF's little boy and DH's cousin's little girl who was unable to come. We did an Sesame Street theme and I made the Elmo cake, etc.. and used the same type of decorations with a Sesame Street theme. The kids were more active running around this year but it was still low key and everyone seemed to have a good time.

For this year I have not picked a theme yet but since DS's birthday falls on a Saturday I figure we will have it on his actual b-day this year if at all possible. DH and I have been discussing getting a bigger swingset for DS as his b-day gift this year so we thought that maybe having a small cookout this year in the backyard while the kids play on the new swingset would be a fun way to spend the day this year. I probably won't give it much more thought until about 2 months out.

 

[Poohnatic]

Why set yourself up to top the neighbors every year? Too stressful.

The only party we've done for either child was my younger son's first birthday. That was a cookout with about 25 people. Before we moved down here, the kids much preferred the trips to WDW. When they were old enough, we asked "party or WDW?"

I can understand having a party to celebrate James birthday, but if your motivation is to top the Luau, you're having the party for the wrong reason.

Suzanne

 

[TheOtherVillainess]

I guess trying to top the luau is a 'new parent in a suburban neighborhood' thing.

I already have a partial guest list in mind. I have to ask DH if there's anybody specific he wants from his job or his city P and Z volunteer thing to come, like the mayor (yes..the mayor of our city. DH knows him through his volunteer work. I've met him once..he's a nice guy).

We'll see how it turns out..I am picturing streamers and balloons and stuff all OVER the place. I already know his party will have to be on Saturday,April 2 because his birthday, April 1, is on a Friday this year. I think. I have to check my calendar to make sure.

TOV

 

[minkydog]

Am I the only one here that thinks this is over the top? an extravaganza for a one year old?? I don't think we ever had real birthday parties, with themes and such, until my kids were about 4-5. And we never invited more than 10 kids because that's all I felt I could manage in my house. In fact, less kids made for better parties and more fun.

C'mon, stop kidding yourself. This party is for YOU. And that's okay, if you want to have a party, go ahead. I just think is sounds like a lot of work and headache for a 1yo old's birthday.

 

[Christine]

We just had a family cookout (it was July so the weather was good). This definitely sounds like a "keeping up with the Joneses'" thing. Don't do it because it is always painfully obvious to everyone that you are trying to compete and then you just come off looking bad.

 

[tarmand]

My daughter turns one on Wednesday. My husband and I had just planned on going to dinner that night to celebrate. Well, my sister and his sister decided that was unfair to the rest of the family. So, now we are having a gathering of about 20 people at our house the following Saturday. I don't intend to make a big production. We are going to BBQ and have a cake. I bought a yard sign and a special plush hat that I plan to take her Birthday photo in every year. That's it. I want my daughter's birthday to be about her and not the party. That's why my husband and I are still taking her to dinner on Wednesday. It will be our own special celebration.

 

[tar heel]

Read DWhittles post about "missing" her child's first birthday.

I'm very thankful that we had very small gatherings for each of our children's first birthdays. No stress and lots of fun, especially for the birthday boy and later on, his brothers.

 

[skuttle]

For DS's birthday, we invited about 30 people. That was just family and close friends. We have a lot of little ones in our family, so I wanted all of the kids to be there. (The family had three little boys, including DS, born the summer of 2003!!) We had shower-type food along with cake and ice cream. It was nice. I think I started planning 3 months or so early.

This year, for DS's second, it will be smaller...but still probably 20 people. We have a large family so there's not much I can do about that! I'm not sure I'll do all the food I did last year. I think this year our theme will be Buzz. This will probably be the last year I have the party at our house...after that I plan on going places...the zoo, little gym, etc.

DS was born on July 2, so I know eventually his birthday party will fall on the 4th of July and we'll have to have a 4th of July BBQ...but that's not for a few more years.

 

[cl1067]

For my kids, we just do family parties until they are old enough to have a "friends" party...which we start on their 5th birthday...and by family party, I mean there are about 15 people total.

IMHO, its better to keep it low key...the kids like it more, its not so overwhelming and less stressful on you. I can't imagine planning that kind of extravaganza for a one year old!

That being said, I think if you want the big party, go ahead and do it...it is really your choice.

 

[decker96]

We have done family only parties for all 3 of our kids' first birthdays. We've ended up having about 15-20 people each time (grandparents, aunts and uncles and cousins). I don't know about your son, but a big party like the one your neighbor's threw would have been too much for my kids. All our parties usually started around noon (to allow those out of town time to get there) and included lunch. By the time lunch, cake and present opening was over, the birthday child had usually missed his or her nap and was pretty crabby. Add in the chaos from a huge party with a bunch of people your child doesn't really know and you're asking for a HUGE meltdown IMO.
I would keep it simple and invite those who are really important to you and your son. It will be more special to you in the long-run.

 

[ksjayhawks]

Your DS will be ONE! He is not going to remember what went on or really even care! He has no clue that it is his birthday at that age and won't for many years to come.

Is this party for you or him? Or to outdo the neighbors?

We always had small family/friend celebrations for our kids first few birthdays. Very simple--cake, punch, coffee. That way we were able to enjoy our time with the kids and the guests. The "real" parties didn't start till about 4/5. Even those where small affairs in terms of the number of kids invited.

JMHO

 

[HollyJoy]

Hoping I don't get flamed here, but please don't stress yourself out about your child's FIRST birthday. He won't remember it at all, and really, this bday party is really for the parents! Throw a party, invite your friends, and just enjoy it... don't make it too complicated!

 

[grlpwrd]

outdo? Sounds a little "7th grade" to me.

Then again why bother with an extravaganza when you can always give out rocks like you did at Halloween. If that's the same neighborhood and you invite some neighborhood kids they will probably remember what you did anyway. It's a bit hard to live that one down.

Ironic, too, when you didn't think twice about what others thought back then yet now you want to really impress others with your son's birthday party. Hmmm.

BTW I did have a big party for all of my kids, but I did it because we have lots of family and friends - we didn't do it to impress. I even know some folks who catered their child's first birthday party.

 

[Microcell]

Both my kids are April babies so I have to start buying now to afford two parties!

Don't forget that at one year they can get overwhelmed by too much stimulation. If you tone down the party be sure to tell everyone that is why and then the neighbors can feel bad they are not as good a parent as you!

Check out Oriental Trading company for decorations. They are usually cheaper than party stores. I also like Birthday express.com too. Our local grocery store gives a little cake just for your little one to enjoy free! Check into that to save money. You may not even need to save, but I have to share bargans!

 

[kimwim8]

I say knock yourself out. Your baby is only one once. My DH and I decided to have big parties for their first, fifth, tenth, ect. DD's first birthday, we rented a hall & had about 75 people. DH and I both have a lot of family that live close, so that was more than 1/2 of the guests. The others were friends of ours & their kids.

For DS, his birthday is in September, so we had his 1st birthday party in our backyard. We have a family member that has a business of renting tents, blow up jumpy things, tables, etc - so we got a bunch of stuff from him at a huge discount. We had basically a ton of stuff for the (20 or so) kids to do, including my DS, who had a BALL!

I wouldn't worry about what your neighbor does, but you can certainly have a big party if you want to. I had to admit to myself several years ago that other people have more creativity & even more money to devote to things like that & I don't.

Just enjoy the process and make sure you have enough help to "man" the party that day, so that you can enjoy your DS's party with him!

ETA: For favors for DS's party, we made hershey bars with homemade wrappers with DS's picture on it and on the back, thanking everyone for coming & sharing his birthday with him. That way, I didn't have to worry about the different ages of the kids there & what kind of inexpensive toys I could put in a goodie bag. I got the hershey bars from the dollar store (2/$1) and that was it!

 

[jgmklmhem]

This year we planned pretty far out because for our daughter's 5th we are going to DLR...but under normal circumstance we try to plan abouyt a month out to give some leeway if changes need to be made.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

I've found that "big parties" for one year olds are the kinds of things that some people would never dream of and others can't imagine not having.

I've known people who have rented Banquet halls, caterers, and bands.

Maybe you could try that?