Don't know what to do for Riley's first birthday party

Ugh. I hate my house. I have a townhouse so I can't have more than just immediate family here. And we just can't afford doing this at a restaurant.

I was looking into a park in the neighborhood- the nicest one (beautiful lakeside) won't give a permit for a party, and it's basically first come, first serve - $10 a car!

The next option is to look into the blah park around the corner.

Any ideas? I wish I could just let it go, and have a small party at my house but I feel bad enough I had only immediate family for her Christening...

Re: Don't know what to do for Riley's first birthday party

Do you want to have 2 1st birthday parties? Thats probably what I'm doing. Family out at a hall or something and friends at the house....mine isnt for like 8 months but I'm not gonna have the money to have a huge party either.

Re: Don't know what to do for Riley's first birthday party

Can you possibly do two parties? A family party and a friends party? Or an immediate family party and an extended family party? Or do you have a lot of family where that wouldn't help solve the space constraint?

Don't worry, you'll figure it out and she'll have a great birthday!

Re: Don't know what to do for Riley's first birthday party

Could you have it at someone else's house? A friend, your parents or your DH's parents or something? If it is someone you are close with you can still go over and do all the prep and stuff and you won't have to spend the money on the hall. I'm sure family/friends would be more than happy to offer up their backyard. My gf had the same problem for her DD's first bday and I offered my house, but her mother was able to host it at hers.

Good luck!

Re: Don't know what to do for Riley's first birthday party

Does your townhouse complex have a guest house or a room to rent out? Our Co-op complex has a guest house we can rent for $250 then you can cater in whatever food you want. I did this for DS's christening and I will be doing this for his 1st b-day too.

Re: Don't know what to do for Riley's first birthday party

My family is on LI (I'm in NJ)...part of me would like to have it there, but DH has been trying to make the point that this is our home. We had our wedding there, my baby shower there...

As far as having it at a friend's house...that's a tough one. I just don't feel right asking for something like that.

I hate my house

Thanks though!

ETA: I wish we had a clubhouse, but we don't. We have a park around the corner, but it's a town park and to be honest, not the prettiest. It's just okay.

Message edited 5/6/2010 8:12:10 PM.

Re: Don't know what to do for Riley's first birthday party

how about a KofC hall?

Re: Don't know what to do for Riley's first birthday party

Tara - Check South Mountain Reservation (that's in my area), I know you can do parties/picnics/bbq's there.

Also, what about VanSorn(sp?) park in Paramus? I don't know if you need a permit or what they might charge.

Turtle Back Zoo also has a pavillion, but I don't know what they charge.

Re: Don't know what to do for Riley's first birthday party

Re: Don't know what to do for Riley's first birthday party

Have you looked into any local Veterans halls or American Legions? We're renting one for DS' 1st birthday and the site fee is only $250 for the entire day (with tables and chair included)!

Re: Don't know what to do for Riley's first birthday party

Re: Don't know what to do for Riley's first birthday party

Posted by TaraGotHutched

Posted by MrsRbk

Tara - Check South Mountain Reservation (that's in my area), I know you can do parties/picnics/bbq's there.

Also, what about VanSorn(sp?) park in Paramus? I don't know if you need a permit or what they might charge.

Turtle Back Zoo also has a pavillion, but I don't know what they charge.

Thanks, Mich. I just looked into Van Saun Park...from what it looks like it's a VERY popular site for parties, so I probably waited to late for that. I bet it's expensive too, but it looks amazing!!

I might try a KofC hall...we'll see!

Thanks everyone!

Re: Don't know what to do for Riley's first birthday party

We rented the local firehouse once for $250
what about the local ymca?
community center?

Re: Don't know what to do for Riley's first birthday party

Wow, you ladies are awesome, you've given me so many ideas- thank you!! Didn't even think of a local fire department...

Re: Don't know what to do for Riley's first birthday party

Are you inviting any small children? If you have a good amount of small children I would recommend having the party at Gymboree.

Or how about a Knight of Columbus hall?

Re: Don't know what to do for Riley's first birthday party

I know of a Civic Center in Amityville, LI - Its right near the water and the back of the place has the harbor right there - It was only $450 to rent for 4-hr party plus 1-hr clean up... Its nice and clean too...

Let me know if you would like the info..

Christine

Re: Don't know what to do for Riley's first birthday party

tara - i'm having the same issue for the NJ party.....i feel so badly that we're not having one....:(

Re: Don't know what to do for Riley's first birthday party

We are doing the same thing. We had a small immediate family only Christening and now we are having a small immediate family birthday party.

I'm okay with it though. I don't have nor want to spend a lot of $$$. Plus, my DD gets overwhelmed quickly and would just cling to me like glue anyway!