Suggestions Needed

For my daughters first birthday we invited lots of friends and family. My daughter was very overwhelmed and scared of all the attention. If I could go back it would have been a smaller group.

I saw you already updated this, but I wanted to point out that community centers have rooms to rent out for free. In Sioux Falls, you just call the park and rec place to reserve a room. Good Luck!

Hi N.!

When my little man turned one about 6 months ago the original plan was to just invite family members. Well then it turned in to invite friends with kids his age also. I baked him a strawberry cake from scratch, and planned a meal for the number of people I had invited. My husband then decided to invite some other friends without kids even in school anymore. The party became about us inviting our friends instead of simply focusing on what Jack would like the best. He missed his nap, because he wouldn't go to sleep, so he was a tad bit crabby. He ended up sitting in his high chair having family members alternate helping him with his dinner. We ran out of food and my husband had to have a hot dog when he really wanted a hamburger (guess he shouldn't have invited that last couple!) :) haha I ended up feeling like I needed to be entertaining guests as opposed to having my child be the center of attention. Don't get me wrong, Jack still had a good time, we got some great pictures and some video, but if I am blessed with a second child it will be family all the way. The best intentions can turn into something you wouldn't want to do again. I feel that the first birthday is more for the parents than the child and you just need to decide where you priorites lie!

Good luck and I hope that I helped in your decision with my story. Have a great time and enjoy that little one! The time just FLIES by!

D.

When my daughter turned 1 we had the same problem no room, winter birthday, so we found a hotel that had a small meeting room and we just had to pay for room for the night which was like $50 or something like that and then the kids got to swim and it was a blast for everyone. For my sons b-day we were able to do it outside and let the kids play that was great gotta love the summer birthdays. For both of their 1st birthdays we just had family and a few friends but I have a lot of close family so it ends up being a lot of people. For my daughters 2nd b-day we went bowling that was great and not to expensive. Hope this helps she will have a great birthday no matter what you choose to do.

You're right, at this age the party is more for you than her. She may be overwhelmed by the amount of people there. I remember when I was a nanny and the little one turned a year. The family had thirty people there. The poor boy got an ear infection the day before and was absolutely miserable. Is your daughter outgoing? Does she like being in a crowd? I only had family for my boy's parties because neither of them like to be the center of attention. I also remember when my niece turned two. She cried when everyone sang happy birthday to her. So, that said; I think you should consider everything before you decide. Good Luck and tell her Happy Birthday from me!!!!!

I suggest keeping the party small and to immediate family. She is going to be one, and still can get overstimulated and overwhelmed by too much activity and too many people. For our daughter, we had cake and ice cream with immediate family and very close family friends. She got to see the people she knew the best and get doted on, but not overwhelmed. My advice is to keep it simple, not only for her but also for your sanity.

I completely agree with keeping the party small and at a place your child is familar with. We had our sons first birthday at Happy Joes as well. He seemed very nervous the whole time. We invited only close family (we both have three siblings that are all married with children) and a few close friends. He wouldn't let me put him down and when he did my husband or I had to be standing right next to him otherwise he would burst into tears. Even though he is around the family all the time. It would have been much easier and less stressful to have the party at our own house that way he would have been more comfortable. We still ended up spending over $200.00 since we paid for the pizza, pop, cake, icecream, and decorations.

N.,
I totally understand wanting your daughter's first b-day to be something very special. I can tell you very confidently that My Gym would be a fantastic party. My husband and I used to own My Gym so I am somewhat biased, but I would say that without having owned it!! We did our daughter's first b-day there last year and it was fantastic. The nice thing is that there are plenty of things for kids of all ages to do. They will do their best to make sure all the kids have an awesome time. I hope that helps!

Niki, for the 1st birthday, I suggest immediate family at your place. Get your daughter a cake of her own to mess in, it is so much fun and if you have too much going on, you will miss it all. This should be an occasion to remember for the good, not the fiasco. And $200 for a party of any age child is ridiculous, even though I know that is what lots of people do these days. What happened to a few friends and pin the tail on the donkey at the house??

My husband and I had the same problem with our daughter. We had her party at Nana and Papa's house which gave us more room. But, we have such a large family that we didn't invite anyone but family. Trust me, the attention span for a one year old will not take everyone in the family plus friends. Our daughter didn't even make it through the pile of presents before she was bored and wanting to move on to something else. Keep it simple, remember, this party is more for you than her at this point. She's not going to have a clue about it besides in pictures when she's older anyway :)

We had a big-ish party when our daughter turned one. Just went to Happy Joe's and they were VERY accomodating. Being there was free, we brought our own cake, they closed off an entire section for us and it was very laid back--just like being at home. Everyone just mingled. We went at kind of an off time so people who wanted pizza ordered their own and we bought ice cream cones for all!!

Hey N.!!

I was 25 when I had my first child and I know exactly what you're talking about. Quite frankly, you're right, they're never going to remember a thing about their first birthday. My son had a small chocolate cake in front of him, the family was around taking pictures and eating cake and having a blast and my son was in heaven!!! He was lovin' it!! And we have pictures of everything. Personally I would spend that money somewhere else....maybe put that $200 into a college fund. By the time she goes to college you'll have nothing to worry about...little bit each month can be something fantastic for her future!!!

Blessings to you!!
T.
http://tinamccomb.stayinhomeandlovinit.com

Hi N.. I remember all to well the first child, and wanting to give him everything! We had a nice big party and spent a fair amount of money for his first birthday. I felt stressed in making sure we had everything put together perfectly and that he had all the "greatest" toys and cake and food and party favors. We had about 40 people and I was busy the whole time during the party. By the end of the evening, when everyone had gone, I felt a little sad and almost out of the loop from the whole event. For my second and third childrens birthdays I had a more intimate party, with just imediate family. Those two were BY FAR more enjoyable for everyone I think. Its about spending quality time with your own child and those you care most about on these milemarking events! And like you said...they dont remember their first birthday. My oldest, now almost 6, has asked me about his past parties and if I have pictures...I show him them and he loves to see the people in his life that he knows and loves now. He loves that his parents are involved in the later birthdays and memories more. I suggest waiting for the more "eventful" money spending parties for when they get in school, when they know more friends and will most definately start asking for those costly items and parties:)

Hi! I have the same problem. I live in a small apt. with a family of 5. For my first son we went to our local Pizza Ranch and bowling alley. For my second son we went to Burger King. I know it doesn't sound the greatest, but it worked very well for both. As long as you take pictures it probably doesn't matter where it is at. And have fun!

When my husband and I were in cramped quarters I used my parent's house or our church's hall. Both were free. Maybe ask a friend or family member and be sure to say that you will see to the set up and clean up. I think people are going extreme on the amount they are spending on their children's birthday parties. I always do a theme, have it in my home and have friends and family. As my sons get older they will invite their friends, maybe a few to spend the night but I refuse to spend $200 just to go somewhere else when my kids have toys, a yard, and plenty of room right here at home. It's crazy! They have just as much fun and don't have to hear mom and dad arguing about money, costs, bills, or see mom go crazy over the planning!

The first birthday party is more for you than her initially. I suggest doing a party that you will feel proud to show her the pictures of when she is older. Something that will be fun to recollect. We did a big
bar-b-q and she loves looking at the pictures of family she doesn't get to see very often, but regardless, she doesn't remember it herself. She does remember her 3rd birthday. Even though it was small, she still had a blast just being with close friends and family. Go with your gut feeling about what your baby can handle and what you want to remember about her turning 1.

N.,
I agree that it should be immediate family only. The fewer the better at this age. We used the clubhouse at my sister's apt for our party. It was free if we used it during open hours but we decided to do it after hours, which cost $40. Do you have something like this at your apt?
S.

Hi my name is T. and I'm a 24 year old SAHM. My daughter turned one in January of this year. Our house can't hold all of our family because it's so large. I chose to have her party at Johnny Sortino's. They have games there for the older children.... and I didn't have any dishes to clean up!! You can bring in cake, but no ice cream. They put your "party" in the back of the restuarant... it worked out well... and if you need decoration ideas if you're into doing that check out Birthday Express. I loved it!! Hope I helped!

Hi Niki: Remember your daughter will not remember the party. I personally always stuck to just grandparents and aunts, uncles. Include everybody who has been in volved in the first year of your baby's first year. When I say involved I mean activly babysit, help with anything. (sorry about the spelling) I hope that this helps you with your party. A baby turning 1 is great but as they get older they are even more fun when you can watch your child open gifts and interact with friends of theirs.
D.