ot: 1st birthday parties ... any tips

[lynetteSC]

Hi guys- We are having the family & friends bday party for ds next weekend. We were at wdw for his actual bday, but everyone at home asked if we were doing a party. Seeing that we have never thrown a child's bday party before, I was wondering if anyone has any tips/ideas/advice for the party. We are doing disney theme ... already have paper products/cakes/mickey mouse ice cream and balloons. Any advice for a 1st timer? Thanks!

 

[EthansMom]

Try to keep things easy -- do as much prep beforehand as possible.

For my DD's recent b'day, I knew I had to serve food since my in-laws are the type of people who hang around until you feed them a meal (if I timed the party for mid-afternoon, at 6 p.m. the hangers on would start mentioning hunger). So I purchased bag salad from Costco, some salad dressing, the Costco Artisan Bread (yum), and made up 2 large trays of baked pasta (made them the day before and tossed into the oven on the day of the party). Throw in some two liter bottles of soda and a Costco Birthday cake (decent cake and the price can't be beat, $15 for a two layer full sheet cake) and we had plenty of food.

That's my number one rule for entertaining -- make lots of food.

If you've got more than a few kids coming, put together some gift bags -- Target has a decent section for party goodies. If weather is warm, let the kids play outside -- consider a pinata, scavenger hunt, or other organized activity if there are several kids coming.

If it's mostly family, don't worry about doing organized games or anything. Family is usually happy shooting the breeze, eating food, and watching the birthday kid blow out candles and open gifts.

Enjoy!

 

[kpk89]

A 1-yr old won't realize what's going on, and could get overwhelmed, so keep it simple with stuff the guests will enjoy -- good food, a cute cake, and take lots of photos!

Something we did with all 3 kids was to make a time capsule at the first bday. I asked the guests to bring something for the capsule that represented the year of baby's first bday. We had everything from coins with that year on them, to current magazines and newspapers, to McDonalds Happy Meal toys of popular kiddie characters. Other people did personal things, like writing a letter to baby, or a poem, and once my sister in law drew a sketch of the birthday baby. We took photos of everyone at the party, and also put in the cards, the candle from the cake, etc. And video-d everyone putting their item in the box and wishing baby well. The box was sealed and will be opened on the child's 18th birthday.

Have a wonderful birthday party! Get lots of pictures of baby with cake-face!

 

[Mom to Jordan]

I really messed up at my DS's 1st birthday so learn from my mistakes and what I have learned since then.

1st birthday parties are for the adults not the kid. Plan as you would for any family gathering and don't put any expectations on your child. Try to not pass him around too much. Desinate task so you or DH can be the ones to hold him most of the time. Totaly child proof the area and have plenty of toys or activities for all the different ages of kids that a family party produces. If he is bombarded with gifts, let him help open only as long as his intrest holds and then take over for him. The ONE right thing I did at DS's party was to let the older children open the gift they brought for him themselves. They really liked that. If he get overwelmed, take him away from the action for a little while to regroup. Rethink the digging into the cake tradition. DS had not had cake before and it took about 20 seconds for him to have it everywhere and he hated it in his eyes and nose etc. Took a good 15 minutes to clean him up and calm him down.

Be sure he is well rested before the party and have the party at a time he is at his best. If he gets way too many toys, hide some for a few months and bring them out "new" and it's like another birthday. TAke lots of picture but have someone else tape so you don't miss anything. Start some family tradtion you can continue each year. A certain cake plate, a picture in a certain location or perhaps plant a new bush or tree in the yard.

RElax, have fun and pat yourself on the back for a year well done.

Jordan's mom