What to do for a 1 year old's birthday?

Question

My daughter's birthday is coming up in 2 weeks and I want to know what did you do for your child when they made 1. My cousin had a train and water slide and DJ for her child's first birthday but I feel like she really isn't going to remember all of that. What would you do?

Answer 1

take lots of pictures and enjoy because you have the memory

Answer 2

We invited close family and friends over and had a BBQ.  Keep it simple, he won't know what's going on.  The party is more for the parents anyway.

Answer 3

KEEP IT SMALL AND SIMPLE

Answer 4

Its her first.  So get a big cake for the adults and a little cake for your daughter to just dive in and play in.  Thats it.  Take pics of her getting messy in the cake.  Thats all you remember and you get cute pics.  No need for a train or water slide and no need for a dj!  At 1 year old they don't even play with the toys they will like the wrappings better.  Wait until she is older to do stuff like that.

Answer 5

I agree;

Keep it nice and simple. The baby will not remember this birthday so it' will be mostly for whoever attends it. I suggest family and close friends friends.

What you can do is have things the baby really enjoys, maybe a certain toy theme. the idea is to keep the baby Happy to be alive on his first Bday.Do take many pictures to show them later on. Maybe video.

I'm not married or have kids yet, but look forward to a baby very much.

many Blessigs = o)

Answer 6

I had a small get together with family. I had some simple decorations, cake and ice cream and there were games for the older kids. I took a lot of pictures so my daughter could look at them when she is older. I knew she wouldn't remember it so I didn't go all out or anything.

Answer 7

Put him in the middle of the room kitchen with nothing around him.

Put a chocolate cake in front of him, wear some ranment and let him go to town! Let him mess and mush adn smear his face hands and mouth whiile he eats. Take PLENTY OF PICS SO HE WILL SEE WHAT A MESS HE MADE when he gets older you guys can leaugh at it..

. make sure you have plenty of cleaning chamicals on hand you will need them.

Answer 8

My son turned one a few months ago and we had a small family party.  He is really into the movie Happy Feet so I made it a penguin theme with a penguin cake and decorations.  It was the summer so we had a small kiddie pool and playground.  It was nice and mellow.  The first birthday is not one they will remember too much so don't spend a ton of money for it.

Good Luck!

Answer 9

No matter how big the party she will not remember it.  Something low key would be more appropriate.  Close friends and family.  I think too many parents have big parties more for themselves than their kids and try to top themselves every year.  Focus on your daughter and everyone will enjoy themselves.

Answer 10

Your cousin went into over kill and alot of unnecessary expense.

At one keep it simple, keep it small. Do the party before or after nap so melt downs are lessened in chance. 2 hours is plenty. Guests?grandparents, your household, and maybe 1 or 2 other close family members (like godparents if there are any).

For my son's first party we did ice cream and cake. He got his own cup cake to eat and the bigger cake was cut up for guests.  Ice cream, we used the little cups you can buy to help cut down mess. We did hamburgers on the grill and set out various condiments, chips and some drinks. I also made a fruit salad. It was simple, easy, not expensive and everyone loved it.

I didn't do entertainment because it isn't necessary, especially at that age.  I did do a dvd of all his first year pictures that were really good that we let play continually on the TV and set out colorful cards in a train theme (that was his party theme) for people to write a birthday message to him for a scrapbook.  There were 10 people there, all immediate family, and it was great. It was 2 hours long and was not too short or too long and everyone had fun.

11:00 people arrived and did the scrapbook messages

11:30 we ate

12:00 we did presents

12:30 we did the cake

1:00 everyone went home

Answer 11

i had my son's 1st birthday party at the park he had fun i think the party is for the kid not for the parent so do what you think is best for the kid she is going to be 1 not 16 have it at a place where she can have fun like at a water park or playground or even at home until she gets bigger and can remember the party i hoped i helped you out some  

Answer 12

My son's first birthday is coming up in just a couple of weeks, and we're doing a Pirate Theme. You are correct in that the child won't remember their first birthday, but I'm rapidly learning it's not about the child, really. It's about the one throwing the party, and the guests. In this case, my wife and her mother are throwing the party, and it's really about them having fun. Throw the kind of party you would have fun with. Keep in mind photo ops; have an area set up where you and guests can take pictures. Keep in mind the adults; a margarita/daqueri machine and a grill will ensure your guests stay happy. A shallow splashy pool and a mister will probably keep the kids happy, but remember to buy a pack of swim-diapers (size 3 or 4), because your guests will forget to have brought one for their children. Also keep the present opening as short as possible as it is the single most boring time for any party guest that isn't receiving them. The one year old will not have any idea how to open presents or why. They will want to chew on the box or the paper. So instead, just keep them nearby, open the present, lean next to the child so a photo can be snapped, and move to the next present. Remember that some guests smoke, and unless you want them doing so in front of all the kids in the back yard, you might want to set up a smoking area in the front or side of the house where the children are unlikely to be. On the TV in the den, a video slideshow of your child's memorable moments to some music at a low volume is always a good idea, so that the extended family can see what they missed out on, but not have to remain completely silent, devoid of conversation, and obliged to sit through the whole thing. Finally, remember your guests have lives, and will resent a party thrown on a holiday or a 3-day weekend because they then have to choose between the plans they REALLY want to do, or attending the birthday party. I constantly run in to this problem, and as a guest, it always irritates the heck out of me.

Answer 13

Go swimming

go to the beach and have a cake and open presents that sort of thing

invite her friends

have a small dressup like farieis or princesses

or have a small animal party

but keep it small

wait till she is older to have a bigger party

have a small craft party for her birthday party

Answer 14

I did the same thing with my cousin. I always throw my friends great parties but for a one year old it is sooo hard. You don't need a train. Maybe a brand new regular slide. we got my cousin one. A cake, decorations, A dj would be great. But she is one for crying out loud she is not going to remember most of it. so what ever you fell comfortable with, go for it.

Answer 15

well my sons bday was a little specieal cause he was born on the 4th of july and we live out of the country....so it was big, and will be every year. We had 2 parties. One in the day for him and friends and another at nite for adults to celebrate the holiday. For his i had a huge winnie the pooh cake and theme, a big elephant hopping pit, slush ice machine, and popcorn machine plus water slides and sprinklers and pools. But he had so many presents and people he just played and played. He loved it. I think i opened presents for him for 30 minutes. But its a special day for us and him since we live in another country now.