Is anyone not doing a big first birthday party?

We just had a 100+ person Christening this weekend, I really don't have the energy (or the money) to do another large party for his birthday.

I would like to keep it simple - just cake with close family... No theme really...

Anyone else doing this?

Re: Is anyone not doing a big first birthday party?

We were going to do a relatively big backyard BBQ for DS's first birthday in a few weeks but we are now thinking of going away for the weekend as a family and having a small party for DS with just us - its not like he is going to remember and he definitely does not need any more gifts.

Re: Is anyone not doing a big first birthday party?

We had a big Christening (60+ people at a restaurant which was $$$) so I am keeping their 1st birthday small. It will be about 30 people at our house, this is immediate family and a few close friends. We will have 90% of it catered. I am doing a theme though, just b/c I think it's cute

Re: Is anyone not doing a big first birthday party?

We did family--it wound up being 20-25 people, I cooked everything, kept it just family.

Re: Is anyone not doing a big first birthday party?

DS's christening will have about 85 people next weekend at a catering hall. His 1st birthday will be at home but I plan on transforming my house to a winter one-derland. I'm expecting 35-50 people for that.

Re: Is anyone not doing a big first birthday party?

I really can't decide what I want to do, I think I am in denial that she is turning 1. I did not even have her Christening yet. I would like to have a big party for one and a small party for the other but I can't decide which.

Re: Is anyone not doing a big first birthday party?

Thanks!

I hear you, the themes are so cute - that's why I was asking, I was feeling guilty!

I think for my side of the family, we're just going to have cake at my grandfather's house. I'm thinking we may have DH's family over. We're both only children so we usually include extended family and the number gets large really quick - and I can't fit both sides in my house together...

Re: Is anyone not doing a big first birthday party?

Re: Is anyone not doing a big first birthday party?

Having a backyard BBQ, nothing huge. That's our style though...

Re: Is anyone not doing a big first birthday party?

I'm thinking of keeping DDs birthday small. It's not until April, but her Christening is this weekend and I don't think I will be able to afford another big party in a few months.

Re: Is anyone not doing a big first birthday party?

Re: Is anyone not doing a big first birthday party?

I don't think ours is going to be big.
His b-day is in the winter & I don't have a big enough home to have it here.

Re: Is anyone not doing a big first birthday party?

I didn't do one for DD. We did her Christening at 8 months and at 1 year it was just us and her grandparents.

We live in our of state so it wasn't a huge deal but I am all for quiet parties at home with just the family. DS's first birthday will probably be this way too, until they can remember and ask, I can't justify the expense

Although, I am really getting the itch for DS, so we shall see

Re: Is anyone not doing a big first birthday party?

I am not. I had a big Christening too and our immediate family - i.e. our parents, siblings, nieces and nephews are almost 30 people. I am just going to invite those people for a party at our house. I will cater it because I am not much of a cook and will do a "theme" but nothing to crazy - like matching plates, napkins and a few decoration!

The other thing is because DH is 1 of 5 and we have a lot of nieces and nephews, we just do 1 party a month for all the birthdays in that month. DS is born in February and there are 3 other February birthdays that month so he will be sharing his party with 2 cousins and an uncle!

Message edited 7/16/2010 10:35:16 AM.

Re: Is anyone not doing a big first birthday party?

I am not doing a big first birthday party. Just immediate family and close friends in total I am estimating around 25 people including kids.

Re: Is anyone not doing a big first birthday party?

I started off planning a big backyard pool party. Now I think I might do small family party 10-20 people on her actual bday.

Plus, my family has already had 2 parties, plus 1 engagement party next weekend.
How many times in 2 months do 80 family members really need to get together ?

Re: Is anyone not doing a big first birthday party?

I don't want to, but I feel with large family who are dying to see DS, I will have to.

Re: Is anyone not doing a big first birthday party?

we thought about it, then didn't. we spent almost $6000 on his baptism...that was enough...

Re: Is anyone not doing a big first birthday party?

we had about 35-40 close family & friends at my mom's house. Costco cake, hero, & decorations. We didn't spend more than $250.

We too did a more fancy christening for about 70 people and financially couldn't afford another big hoopla. Although we didn't spend more than $800 for the Christening party.

Re: Is anyone not doing a big first birthday party?

we did a very small christening for DS in january. we tried doing the big party thing, but couldnt get the date we needed or a decent price. and i was on maternity leave, part of which was unpaid. so i didnt need to drop $1500 on a christening party.

for DS 1st bday i want to do a party at a gymboree place, but nothing over the top.

Re: Is anyone not doing a big first birthday party?

i don't have enough family/friends for a big party! ours was small but perfect. DD had a wonderful time and everyone got to play with her. She was the only baby/kid there. My only close friend that had a baby (who is actually just 2 weeks younger than DD) couldnt come because her baby was sick. We did a mickey mouse theme because DD loved mickey mouse clubhouse at the time.

Re: Is anyone not doing a big first birthday party?

we do, we live OOS (our immediate families are close by but most friends are in NY)

for the 1st b-day parties, it was and will be about 35 people, at home, cake and heroes or pizza, nothing too fancy

Re: Is anyone not doing a big first birthday party?

We are not doing a big first birthday party. We are inviting immediate family over for a small BBQ - 10 adults, 8 kids.

2 out of my 3 sisters said they don't know if they have sports tournaments for thier own kids that day. So half of my guest list is a "maybe". If they can make it, great, otherwise I wont hold it against them.

First birthdays (obviously) aren't a big deal in my family.

Re: Is anyone not doing a big first birthday party?

We actually did this when both of our DS's turned 1. We had a bbq with just mostly family. My older DS just turned 3 in June and it was the first time we did a bigger party. Just happens to be what worked best for us.