Should I throw a HUGE 1st Birthday Party for my daughter or make it a more intimate celebration?

Question

I have 4 kids- all 3 which I've celebrated BIG for the 1st birthday parties. My 4th & last child (yes, I'm sure) is having a 1st birthday soon.

I've calculated how much I would spend on a typical b-day bash as I have spent for my others, which is about $1500. With there being 4 kids now (2 of which are still in diapers), we are nowhere near capable of spending that for an party. If I don't have it this big bash, it will seem unfair. If I do, there isn't anyway to narrow that budget down. For one, I have a HUGE family on both my side and my husband's side. Am I being way too over-the-top on these b-days or should I think more reasonably? If I have a party, I will have to invite the the whole gang. It's one of those things, if you invite one, you have to invite the other.

If I have something more intimate, please throw me some suggestions as I've never done something that isn't big. How can I make her first birthday special and still celebrate?

Answer 1

Since the party is for your daughter, keep it simple.  At age 1 she will certainly not be disappointed.  How about your parents (your husbands as well) and siblings?

Answer 2

You have big bashes for your own benefit.  The 1 year old won't have a clue what the whole thing is about.  $1500 is ridiculous.  If you want all the family..do a pot luck party.  I never have spent more than $100 for a party for a child.

Answer 3

it sounds like you're trying to be a people pleaser with always throwing a big party. Don't spend that much money, the child won't know the difference if it's small and all the other children's parties were big because he/she won't even remember!

Throw a small bbq for your immediate family and the grandparents or invite more people over and ask family members to bring a dish/salad/dessert etc or assign them tasks like bringing the serving stuff out. This is how we throw bigger parties and everyone gets excited to get the chance to participate in the celebration by contributing something.

Answer 4

I agree with everyone else!

If you want to go intimate - make it fun with lots of balloons, streamers, etc. You can get all of that at the $1 store.

If you want to go big, how about doing a pot-luck? Or doing it at a time of day when a meal doesn't need to be served. That way you could just do cake/ice cream.

I'm not sure what you've done in the past for your parties, but you could do an "old-fashioned" party, with good old-fashioned games for the young cousins/friends that don't cost a penny - duck duck goose, freeze tag, etc.

Good luck!

Answer 5

don't make it huge ,it's not worth the stress .

keep it simple ,ideas above :barbeque,big cake ,sounds excellent . have fun .

Answer 6

I am going to state the obvious here: Your one year old is ONE. WOn't remember a thing anyway.

To make it special, I would make her a HUGE cake decorated with all kinds of bright colors and let her go to town. Makes for great pictures and she will love it. And cake is cheap!