First Birthday! - Tulsa,OK

omg, girl you have it RIGHT! i can't stand these huge blowouts some people throw, i think it's ridiculous. congrats on getting thru the first year :) we also did a small family affair at someone's house. that's all they need at that age. anything else is just ego, and totally unnecessary- not to mention completely overwhelming and stressful for the "guest of honor". happy birthday big guy!

Sounds perfect to me. Don't go over the top. A homemade cake is great - no need to spend a fortune on a fancy bakery cake. And yes, doing it in the afternoon with light snacks is great.

Plan the party around your son's naptime so that he's awake and happy for the party.

Yes what you are planning is perfectly acceptable.

My younger son turns one tomorrow and we are having a party for him this weekend that sounds a lot like what you are planning. There are always going to be people who go totally go overboard on things for their kids. You have to figure out what works for your family and go with that. Don't worry too much about what is "expected", just enjoy your son and his party.

The only thing expected at a first birthday party is the guest of honor, and he/she might be sleeping. Stick with your plan. Intution trumps tiered cakes.

My son had a wonderful first birthday. Just grandma, two grandpas, auntie and nephew, mommy, daddy, and big sister.
We had a great day. Presents, dinner, cake.
Then he crashed and everyone kissed him goodbye as he slept.

A first birthday is certainly special, but I thing going overboard is a bit silly.
No offense to anyone. The little one doesn't really understand what's going on anyway. I don't see the need to put on a big production, but that's just me.

The party you've described sounds just fine. No pressure and relaxed. A day for the most special people in your life to enjoy the day.

Best wishes.

I think those parties are really about "keeping up with the Joneses" if you know what I mean. Only spend what you can afford and family loves to just get together and visit and play anyway. I think your party is perfect for a one yr old. It's not like they will remember it anyway. If you wanted to add a little more fun get some of the young adults or older children involved to play games or do an activity but again your 1 yr old won't be doing much so it would really be for the older children. We have always had family parties and at their 8th Birthday we do a big party at home where classmates are invited and it is all themed with activities to go with it. One son had a space theme and the next one will be about animals. Do what you want to do. I also always make cupcakes and have only bought 1 cake over the years.

I think your party sounds great. Have someone take pictures of you, hubby and son and record the singing of happy b-day. Several of my friends and I have been getting into making pretty cakes (2 tiered with fondant). It is more cost effective to get one from the grocery store though.

There are no rules. Do what you feel like and you think your baby would like.

What you have planned is perfect. Not only will he not know what's going on (so take LOTS of pictures to show him in years to come) but he may be tired, worn out and cranky after an hour or so.

I made a Winnie the Pooh cupcake cake for my guy's 1st birthday, it was a hit, and so easy to serve, you just pull off a cupcake : )

Honestly, I don't get the huge 1st birthday party thing. Your plan is what I did. My son is going to be 5, and this will be his first "big" party because ages 1-3 he didn't really know or care and kids don't really have "friends" to celebrate with. We were out of town on his 4th. So this year, when he really "gets" it, we're going to have a party for HIM. The big freakout parties just cause me to roll my eyes, but to each his (or her) own :)

I would not do anything extensive for his first birthday.
The little one doesn't notice nor can he appreciate it.
It's more for the parents.
I, however, would wait until he was 3. That's when he will "get it" and be totally excited.
Make it easy for you!
Save the theme, pinata, fun games etc for when he is older.

Oh A.! Don't let someone else make you feel pressured to do something different than what you have already planned! I have had MANY 1 yr BD's to celebrate & they all have been what I had $$$ & time to do @ that moment in time! The only thread that runs thru all of them is pictures & something (the cake itself or a cupcake or smaller cake) for the baby to put their tiny little hands into to celebrate the event. Enjoy your son's day exactly as you have planned, with the cake YOU want to have! He will have just as much fun with a sheet cake you have made for him as he will have will a 10' concoction!

Have Fun & Happy 1st BD to your boy! :)

My son is turning one in a few weeks too and I was thinking on doing the exact same party as you. It's best to do a party that fits their development, not what all the celebrities are doing. The best tip I have heard is to do the party right after his/her nap, so they're well rested. I don't think my family gives diddly-squat about party favors or party themes. I might go crazy and cut a #1 out of a 9 x 13 cake. Adults should be able to entertain themselves, but if you have kids over make a point of having some toys ready to go. The way I see it, there will be plenty of birthdays that will need more planning...let's relax while we can :)

To me it sounds wonderful.

Depending on how often you get together with family you might want to extend the party to dinner. Ask everyone to bring a dish to pass and get some hamburgers, hot dogs and maybe chicken and fire up the grill.