Need help with 1st Birthday party out of state.

[Nyerathrt]

Hi, I do not post much on the boards, but I do read them all the time, and I know how much great advice you all can give, so I REALLY need some help.
Basically the story is I live in Florida now (Orlando, very close to the mouse!), but most of my friends an family ive in NY. I really would like to have my dd's 1st birthday party there, but I need ideas on how to make it as budget as possible, as we also need airfare and hotel. Unfortunately, money is pretty tight right now (waiting on child support,etc).
So if anyone has any ideas on how I can do this on the cheap, but fun for my sweetie, please let me know!

Thank you!

 

[brymolmom]

First of all - don't forget that a 1 year old will have FUN just going to the park next door - he/she doesn't realize the magnitude of a first birthday party - so that should take the pressure off you - he'll have fun no matter what you decide or how budget to go (likely playing in the pots and pans cupboard would be his idea of a fun way to spend the day!).

That said - first I would find a relative in NY willing to host it for you. You should preface it with 'I will do all the planning and buy everything, I just need a place to have it'. Then, I would find volunteers from NY to help out and bring stuff - someone in charge of tables/chairs, another in charge of drinks.

After that - figure out what your budget is and buy food accordingly - if you can't afford a meal - make it a 1:00 - 4:00 pm party with (cake will be served) on the invitation. That way - you can get by with just some munchies and the cake.

Games/entertainment can be REALLY cheap - for any older kids - you could do a scavenger hunt. You can buy a big thing of bubbles and sidewalk chalk and let all the kids play that. You could do duck-duck-goose or a kickball game (obviously the guest of honor won't be able to do that but the guests can).

 

[Ava]

We live in NY & most of my family is in MD, so we had DD's 1st birthday party in MD.

Ditto what the PP said about asking one of your NY relatives to host the party at their home. My parents hosted DD's party at their house - we had about 20-25 guests, just family. We did a cookout; my mom helped with purchasing some of the food, we took care of the rest of the food, the cake, & all the decorations/paper goods.

We only had a couple of younger kids, so we didn't do any organized games. DD's favorite thing was playing in Grandma's tupperware cupboard, lol.

Basically, just keep it low key and you should be able to make it pretty affordable. The 1-year-old won't understand what's going on anyway, the 1st birthday party is really for the parents!

 

[ceecee]

Basically, just keep it low key and you should be able to make it pretty affordable. The 1-year-old won't understand what's going on anyway, the 1st birthday party is really for the parents!

 

[java]

Can you stay with family? I would think someone would have room for you and the baby. And then I agree is there someone that would host? If not there are plenty of places to rent a room- like in an apartment building they have party rooms- lots of local fire stations have rooms for rent as well as the VFW hall.

Or you could just have it at a park? What time of year and where in NY? City? LI, Upstate?
Will you be near the beach? That might be fun and cheap. I love the beach in the fall if that's when her birthday is.

 

[sweetpeakaris]

Cut the Hotel portion & stay with friends or family. I don't think I'd ever want to travel if money was tight. Maybe your close family can come to you?

 

[Nyerathrt]

Can you stay with family? I would think someone would have room for you and the baby. And then I agree is there someone that would host? If not there are plenty of places to rent a room- like in an apartment building they have party rooms- lots of local fire stations have rooms for rent as well as the VFW hall.
Unfortunately we don't have to much family there. My parents and sister both live here in Orlando, and my parents at least would probably be coming as well. They would not want to miss their first grandaughters b-day -). I will check out the renting a room idea. We will probably have maybe 30 people or so. More adults than kids. I am going to ask a good friend of mine if we can have it at his house.

Or you could just have it at a park? What time of year and where in NY? City? LI, Upstate?
Will you be near the beach? That might be fun and cheap. I love the beach in the fall if that's when her birthday is.

Her Birthday is actually on Halloween. This will be in NYC..Queens most likely. We will be going around October 15th, so depening on the weather, it is possible we could have it outside.

 

[Nyerathrt]

Thanks so much for the ideas. We are only going to go for 5 days I think. Found really good airfar on Jetblue, and hotel is $99 a night, so not too bad. I think we are going to try to do it a friends house in the backyard, if the weather cooperates, and since her actual birthday is on Halloween, we are going to do a Halloween theme.