Disagreement?

The first birthday is for the PARENTS, not for the child. They have absolutely no clue about what is happening, and can't really participate other than watching, eating and crawling around. She'll have the memories and presents if you have a party at home and you won't be blowing $200 on something she can't even do anyway. Save the big stuff for when they're 4 or older, they'll enjoy it and remember it. Build the family memories when they're little, cause YOU'LL enjoy it and remember it. Enjoy!

I agree with those that said she is too young to really enjoy build a bear at 1. Do something at home. She really will most enjoy the balloons - GET TONS and the cake. If money is no option, than put more in her college account. For my daughters (I didn't want toys) we told people not to get gifts, rather dontate the money to a local children's charity. It was a great hit and no toys to deal with as she had SO many. She did have a few to open from grandma/us. It was fun. Having said all that - do what you think is fun and what memories YOU will remember. Enjoy the big day!

Keep the party simple for a 1yr old and let it be just the family. It can get overwhelming for the baby who will not have a clue what that was all about!

The Build-A-Bear idea is wonderful...unfortunately, your daughter is only going to be 1, so she probably won't be able to participate much. Personally, I would wait and save the Build-A-Bear party until she is 3 or 4 when she can have the excitement of making her own teddy bear and picking out it's clothes all by herself!

For a O. year old, I would go with a simple party at your house.....save Build A Bear for when she actually knows what's going on!
For $200, have the food catered and order a cake!

First birthdays are for parents and family members... not the birthday child themselves.

Build-A-Bear parties are GREAT - for the 3-7yr old set. Any younger than that and they get frustrated waiting for their turn to fill the bear. And a 1yr old won't even remember it. Both my girls had Build-A-Bear parties for their 5th birthday and they enjoyed it, as did all their friends. But it really isn't worth it for a 1yr old. I'd say for this one, do the party at home. The memories will be all yours and your DHs, your daughter WILL NOT remember it. Definitely save it for a later year. Happy Birthday to your little one!

It's a great idea...for when shes' 3. At 1 she's just WAY too young to remember. All you need for a first birthday is some brightly colored balloons, a smash cake and family. :) The 1st Birthday party is more for us parents than it is for the little one. The whole point of the 1st Birthday is to let them rip into that cake and get all messy!
If you do a Build A Bar party now, you might regret it. She might want one when she gets older and it will have already been done. So, I say just do it at home! If you don't want to go through the trouble of having it at your house, look into getting some type of hall.
We have all of my kids birthday parties at our house. Yes, it's a lot of work getting the house ready, but it's all worth it.

Shes ONE - Shes not going to enjoy it at all :-( at least I dont think so. We had a big BBQ out in the back yard w/ Everyone !! I 'vote' for a First Birthday Bash for her --Not at buildabear lol

I would wait a couple of years for the BAB party. They are really fun for the kids and you will want her to enjoy it too-but at one she really won't know whats going on.

It's a great idea for an older child. She is not going to have any memories of this. I would throw a small birthday party for close family and watch her smash cake into her face. Throw a Build a Bear party for her in a few years.

My daughter had a party at Build A Bear when she was 7. I wouldn't take a child under 5 for a party there--the child is way too young. Most children do not remember anything before age 5 anyways.

A 1st birthday is very special. A celebration with family and friends at home sounds great to me. What 1 year old will have any appreciation for Build-a-Bear? Save that for another year.

A 1st yr birthday only requiress a cake to tear into and a funny hat on for wonderful pictures. Buildabear would be fun for the other kids attending, but for your own she is just too little to get anything out of it.

The first birthday party is entirely about you and your husband... your child will not have any memories of it!

We went way over-the-top for my son's first birthday and spent well over $1000 on the party, but I wouldn't change it for a second. Our families both flew in from all over and it turned into a big family reunion party- complete with a catered "Southern BBQ" b/c that's where I'm from, a white tent, rented tables and chairs and lots of decorations. I would do it again tomorrow and we will do it for each of our children on their 1st birthdays... but not again until they turn 16.

Take a look at the invite list and ask yourself where the guests would have the most fun. If you have a ton of little kids... go for the Bear party b/c then you don't have to entertain them at your home. If it's a real mix b/w adults and kids, then have it at your house with planned party games. A party at home is more work, but if you want to invite 50 people, then it makes more sense.

Build-a-Bear is not unique... sorry to burst your husband's bubble. The place is mobbed every weekend with birthday parties. It's easy, yes but not unique. Personally, I would not find it enjoyable b/c those places make me crazy- all of them... Chuck-E-Cheese, Fun Zone, Build-a-Bear. It's up to you, but this isn't really about your daughter who will not be able to build her own bear anyway!

Until school age we just do small family parties and once school aged we do a family with a few school friends nothing huge and extraordinary and they all take place in the comfort of our own home.

Well, she won't have any memories at all, since she's only 1, so whatever you do is more for you than it is for her. I went all out on a 1st birthday party at home, and wouldn't do it any other way. Part of it is the cake-eating, and she's going to get messy, so you definitely want to be at home for that.

for a first birthday??? i think anything out of the ordinary of a regular birthday is a waste of money, i'd hold off the "big bang" birthday's until the birthday girl can remember it..that's when they are worth it. the baby can't really "do" anything on her own, it'll be mommy and daddy building the bear for her which is no problem if that's what you want to do, but to me, it's a waste of money til about 4 when they can REALLY enjoy themselve's.

The baby won't know the difference so do what's easiest for you.

She will not remember Build-a-Bear at one year old. Save that for later, at least 4.

My oldest was 5 or 6 the first time he attended a build-a-bear party. It was small and paid for (we didn't have to pay) and he got to bring his creation home. He loved it. I can't imagine doing this for a 1st birthday party though. At one, they are excited by the attention and the cake icing.

Sounds like maybe DH wants a build-a-bear?

Personally, I would do neither, she is too young, I would do something more personal, like a small get together, however....If you really want to, I would go with the party, rather than the Build a Bear, only because she is too young, I would wait with the build a bear at least a year, that way, next year when she is too, she will at least get some hands on, don't you think?

You're a planner, you're thinking about it already LOL!!!, I've always planned like 2 weeks in advance, 3 @ most jajajaja.
Good Luck!!

I would save spending alot of money on celebrating her birthday for when she's older. The first few birthday parties are more about the parents than the child as she doesn't even know its her birthday or whats going on.

She would not enjoy it, she is too young. She would have more fun playing with her toys at home while all her family interacts with her, and watches her make a big mess with that very first piece of cake! The party does not have to be a big deal, just invite everyone over for a pizza lunch to be followed with cake and presents (which she may or may not want to open all of at the time). keep it low key, it will be easier on her. After the cake at my sons he was so tired he went down for a nap and all the rest of us just took some time to visit. If we had been away from home he would have been so cranky.

Build a Bear is a cute idea, but maybe for her 3rd or 4th birthday when she can actually participate and make her own choices and have fun with it, though the older kids will enjoy it.

I'm a child party entertainer (clown and princess) and people spend anywhere from less then $100 to several hundred, just depending on your budget and what you feel comfortable spending.

I am like you, I preferred to have a 1st birthday celebration with family at home, so I could really decorate and everything. We had crafts and games for the older kids and lots of cake and a pretty fruit/veggie tray and I think bbq chicken wings or something as well and it was a lot of fun.

Whatever you choose, it can be enjoyable for everyone, have fun!

Build A Bear is a fun experience, however, a one year old will have no idea what's going on, nor will she have any memory of it. If you said she was going to be 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10, I'd say go for it. A one year old - no way! This is a party for your daughter, not her cousins.

All one year old parties I've gone to have been at home partys. Since money isn't an issue, you can spend $25 or you can spend $250, it's up to you.

I dont think she would enjoy it. How about a party at your house? We did this for both our boys and it was a hit. In all reality everyone is just going to want to spend time with your daughter at this age.

I have done both, had parties at places and had them at home. Both are very expensive. Shes not going to remember it, so I would just do what you feel comfortable with. I, personally would do buildabear when shes a little order, but then again she will always have the bear she made for her first bday. Its a tough one. You might be more comfortable at home with family and friends though..

I went to my niece's build a bear party. It was really neat and special. I loved it! I'd go with what your hubby wants. No matter what you do, it will be enjoyable! Good luck and have a good time!

There's not too much a 1-year-old can do at BaB. We took our daughter when she was 4 and just had her cousins and her best friend. I'd suggest doing it later.
Parties for 1-year-olds are really celebrations for the family of the infant, and the other purpose is to put pictures in the child's scrapbook so they know later that you celebrated the first bday. If you want to go easy, get pizza and some fruit trays and veggie trays and cupcakes. If money isn't a problem, you can get something else catered in. Our son was baptized on Chinese New Year last year, so we got Chinese take out for lunch for 40 people--we had a lot of out-of-town family there for the party. Super easy--my only prep was ordering the food a few days ahead, and picking it up. Takeout from our local restaurant cost about the same as your BaB party, and virtually no prep (they even gave me the plates and all that).

If the issue is that he wants no mess in your home and no fuss with food etc. have it catered somewhere else. imo b a b is crowded and not fun.

I think she might be a little young for a BaB party. The older kids will love it but there isn't a good place for the parents to congregate and talk. There are often other parties taking place at the same time and it's pretty chaotic. I personally wouldn't do it. I would rather spend $100 to clean my house afterwards and $100 on food and and a little entertainment for the older children.

A build a bear birthday party is NOT appropriate for a 1 year old. A 1 year old cannot stuff her own bear! It seems like your husband wants to throw a party for the older kids, which is inappropriate since the party is supposed to be for your baby's 1st birthday! Your baby's first birthday should be at your house. If your husband wants to take the older kids to build a bear, he can certainly do that another time "just for fun."

And, FYI - in my opinion, I think build a bear is a waste of money - you pay way too much money to stuff a stupid bear, and then you take it home and the kids will play with it for a day or 2, and then they will be done with it. And then, you will have yet more toys in your house laying around that the kids don't play with anymore that you won't know what to do with it.

Have it at home. She's turning one and doesn't know from Build a Bear. Invite close friends and family to the house, it's so much easier for you and the baby, too. What if she gets all grumpy and needs a nap in the middle? You can put her down in her crib, at least. I wouldn't do it...wait a couple years. My son,when he turned one, was dozing off in daddy's arms as we were singing happy birthday, to him, lol!

The first birthday is all for the adults. The child really doesn't know what is going on, often sleeps through most of it, basically has no concept of it being "their big day". I would definitely wait for a Build a Bear party until she is at least 2 or 3 years old. That way she has the ability to choose her bear and will better understand what is going on.

My son at almost age 3 was invited to one as a bday for a girl turning 2. We are close family friends. My son was old enough to choose his bear and an outfit. He is now 8 1/2 years old and still sleeps with the bear. He has drawers and drawers full of clothes for him. I said at the time he could have all the clothes he wants but I was not buying another animal. He has since gotten 3 others as gifts, which he plays with too. But, he loves his Lucky bear the most (named Lucky because he was the St. Patrick's day bear that year). Lucky even assisted in ring bearer duties when his dad and I married a few years back.

I have 3 children, and my oldest is 16 now. I went all out and big with his first 5 birthday parties. He doesnt remember the first 2, but he loves seeing his photos and reminicing....My second & third child, i waited till their 2nd or 3rd bday to have a "big go all out" party for them. I remember spending about $300-$800 on these parties for my 1st child. I guess what ever memories you will like to have and cherish for your daughter's 1st bday party is what shuld really matter.

Good luck! And im sure anything you choose or either way you go, it will be remembered for time to come and to be shared for with your daughter!

Have a simple lunch or dinner for close family for 1st birthday.

One and 2 year olds do not remember anything about a bday party and the more people you invite, the more frustrated and confused small ones get.

Never make a party too much work for a small child....keep it simple.

Heads up: My sister and my SIL both (live in different states, so this is not planned at all) NEVER take their kids to Build a Bear parties. They both politely decline the invites, every time they get one. My SIL has 6 children---they cannot afford to keep the Build a Bear going....nor can they afford to get Bears for the kids who DON'T get invited to the party for a "free" bear. My sister has 3 girls and usually one gets invited to the Bear party, and so same reason...she declines. She does not want to have to keep making the financial investment on all new Bear stuff if they start one bear. Very expensive.
Some of you really like BaB, & that is not a personal slam. BaB company does great marketing---they are getting your kids to spend your money. Of course, it is your choice to do that.

Every time my sister and kids get BaB invites, they politely decline and then send some books and blocks to a Childrens' Shelter or kids' clothes to a Homeless Shelter and make the donation in the birthday child's name. This helps many children who have nothing and teaches a good lesson to those kids who have a lot.

For her first birthday, I think something at your home with your family and friends is more appropriate. build a bear is a great idea, but she's too young to appreciate it, and it will be more of a task than her having fun. just let her play at home and eat some messy cake while relatives take tons of pictures, lol :)

I agree with others, I think you should save build a bear for when she is older and can enjoy it. After all it's a lot of money to spend and she won't even remember it. It's better to have a home party with lots of pictures for memories.

I've spent anywhere from around $50 to $500. And our kids have had fun at all of them. My older son went to a party at Build-A-Bear and loved it. Not sure if it would be enjoyable for a 1yr old though. We went really big for our older son's 1st bday and he didn't rem it and it was a lot of work for us so we didn't really get to enjoy it. Our 2nd son for his 1st bday we did chocolate cake at home just immediate family and had a blast. We decided we would go big when they would remember it.

We did Build-a-Bear for my son's birthday when he was six. It was the best birthday he or my daughter has had! All of the kids LOVED it, and my son still talks about it. We usually just have small parties at home.

She's going to be 1. I think a party at home, however big, is more appropriate. If she gets fussy or tired you'll have her room right there for her to get away for a little while. She will enjoy being in a familiar setting and therefore everyone else will enjoy it too.

gosh, IDK too many DH's who WANT to do the 1st birthday party with all the relatives in tow. I say, move over and enjoy yourself. It's always the moms planning the entire show and your lucky if dad blows up a few balloons.

So count your blessings. Go build a bear too!