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leighla
Support Cancer Research
Member since 5/05 16353 total posts
Name:
Lauren
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Lessons Learned from the 1st Birthday Party...
So now that Logan's party is done, I thought I'd share some of the things I learned:
1. No matter what you do there will be someone who thinks you went over the top and someone who thinks you didn't do enough. Split the difference.
2. DH may not want to help with themes or the planning, but he will bust his butt the day of setting things up, breaking things down and generally being your slave.
3. It's best NOT to open presents at the party - your kid will only want to play with the box and wrapping paper and you will spend way too much time trying to get him to look at the actual toy.
4. Put someone else (grandma, grandpa, aunt, uncle, etc.) in charge of DC in the morning of the party. And make their number one job getting DC to NAP for as long as possible right up until the party start time. (It helps if they come over super early and WEAR DC OUT in the morning so the nap is easier. If that doesn't work, give them car keys and have them drive aimlessly for the length of a normal nap.)
5. Ebay is your friend. If you are going to spend 5 hours handmaking labels for candy bars/tic-tacs/favor bags you can probably save your sanity and find them for 39 cents on ebay. It's worth the money.
6. You will have plenty of food - stop stressing and make room in your fridge.
7. You will have plenty of cake - stop stressing and make more room in your fridge.
8. You will NOT have enough bottled water or booze - buy more. (Especially since these things will keep and you can use them after the party.)
That's all I can think of right now.
Other BTDT moms, please share yours too!! 
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Posted 5/20/08 2:15 PM  |
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Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
NewlyMrs
Laugh-Live-Love LIFE!
Member since 10/06 14432 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Lessons Learned from the 1st Birthday Party...
who did you use on ebay for labels
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| Posted 5/20/08 2:17 PM |
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GoldenRod
10 years on LIF!
Member since 11/06 26792 total posts
Name:
Shawn
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Re: Lessons Learned from the 1st Birthday Party...
Make sure you assign someone to be the photographer and/or videographer. You will be so busy with food, guests, DC, etc, you will forget to take pictures. Don't assume someone will do it. Make sure you assign them.
If it's not at the house, make sure you can bring several large presents (and the extra food) home with you. If you don't have a large vehicle, make sure someone there who can come back to your house has a truck. There is always someone who decides to get a huge toy that won't fit in your car....
Message edited 5/20/2008 2:22:11 PM.
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| Posted 5/20/08 2:20 PM |
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leighla
Support Cancer Research
Member since 5/05 16353 total posts
Name:
Lauren
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Re: Lessons Learned from the 1st Birthday Party...
Posted by GoldenRod
Make sure you assign someone to be the photographer and/or videographer. You will be so busy with food, guests, DC, etc, you will forget to take pictures. Don't assume someone will do it. Make sure you assign them.
Good one! I have my sister's fiance do the cake/singing video.
Another one I thought of - buy a first aid kit to have on hand - those cold packs, band-aids, etc.
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| Posted 5/20/08 2:21 PM |
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MST9106
My life:)
Member since 6/06 9589 total posts
Name:
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Re: Lessons Learned from the 1st Birthday Party...
This is a great thread!
I just have one question...would you go the big party route again? Or would you keep it low-key and just do something special with close family and friends?
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| Posted 5/20/08 2:22 PM |
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Diana1215
Living on a prayer!!!
Member since 10/05 29450 total posts
Name:
Diana
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Re: Lessons Learned from the 1st Birthday Party...
Love this thread - keep 'em coming!
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| Posted 5/20/08 2:24 PM |
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GoldenRod
10 years on LIF!
Member since 11/06 26792 total posts
Name:
Shawn
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Re: Lessons Learned from the 1st Birthday Party...
Keep in mind that not all DC there will be 1 yo. If there will be cousins/sibs/friends/etc that are older, make sure there are activities for them to do as well.
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| Posted 5/20/08 2:28 PM |
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jms100303
Luv my munchkins
Member since 5/05 4789 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Lessons Learned from the 1st Birthday Party...
This is great, thanks! It also made me  , sounds so much like me.
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| Posted 5/20/08 2:39 PM |
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Gatsbygirl
Please St. Therese....
Member since 10/07 8494 total posts
Name:
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Re: Lessons Learned from the 1st Birthday Party...
Great thread that I just notebooked!
Love this advice! Getting a little nervous for our party!
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| Posted 5/20/08 2:50 PM |
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Smileyd17
kids
Member since 5/05 20997 total posts
Name:
Mommy
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Re: Lessons Learned from the 1st Birthday Party...
haha, this is great!
-Keep on hand:Juice boxes for kids. They dont drink soda (or shouldnt) or like water. I had apple juice and others.
-Hire a waitress if you can.
Being I do this on the side and know, I wanted to be able to still enjoy myself and not have to be crazy setting up food and worrying about refilling things etc.
She was my savior. If you are looking for one, FM ME 
-If you dont have your DC with you that day, BELIEVE ME, someone else does.  Dont stress, look around and find them, then enjoy!
-For older kids: I got things like Neon bracelets and candy...so they dont feel left out.
Message edited 5/20/2008 2:56:57 PM.
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| Posted 5/20/08 2:52 PM |
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Diana1215
Living on a prayer!!!
Member since 10/05 29450 total posts
Name:
Diana
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Re: Lessons Learned from the 1st Birthday Party...
Posted by Smileyd17
haha, this is great!
-Keep on hand:Juice boxes for kids. They dont drink soda (or shouldnt) or like water. I had apple juice and others.
-Hire a waitress if you can.
Being I do this on the side and know, I wanted to be able to still enjoy myself and not have to be crazy setting up food and worrying about refilling things etc.
She was my savior. If you are looking for one, FM ME
-If you dont have your DC with you that day, BELIEVE ME, someone else does.
get out - i had no idea you did this now. FM me how much you charge. I think I have two already but would much rather use you if you're available 
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| Posted 5/20/08 2:53 PM |
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bicosi
life is a carousel
Member since 7/07 14956 total posts
Name:
M
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Re: Lessons Learned from the 1st Birthday Party...
I def echo what alot have said.
We bought those big plastic tubs and filled them up with ice and juice boxes, milk, chocolate milk and bottled water for the kids. We kept it on the floor so they could easily get it themselves.
I also hire a photographer for all of our events. I'm usually the picturetaker and at these events, you cannot do it all. It won't cost a whole lot if you get someone to come to the party and just take pics and provide you with the pics on a CD. I had someone to video, so I didn't need to hire anyone for that.
I hired waitresses for the party and I also hired a clean-up crew for the day after. At the end of the night, they left everything all nice and tidy and then I had the cleaning crew come in the next day and do a thorough cleaning.
I never had problems with running out of booze (not sure if that's a bad thing?!lol) we always over-buy. Which brings me to my next tip is that if you do overbuy, it's not a big deal. We have 2 fully stocked bars in our house (1 inside and 1 out), so the booze does not go to waste.
Also, if you are doing this at home, go to National Wholesale Liquidators or Bj's and get some of those plastic carry out boxes. I had so much food left over that I had the waitresses send people home with stuff. I was happy that I had those containers because no one left with my good tupperware or corningware.
I also advise that you not open gifts during the party. I have never even thought of doing that and I find that it's rude and unfair to the other children there. Instead, take your time the following morning/day and take out the video camera/dig camera and open them up with your child. You'll also get a better chance of keeping track of who got what.
ETA that we also hired a bartender for kids parties. That was an excellent idea too!
Message edited 5/21/2008 8:57:37 AM.
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| Posted 5/20/08 3:06 PM |
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Kotka
Mom to two boys :)
Member since 5/05 3384 total posts
Name:
Jola
(pronounced Yola)
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Re: Lessons Learned from the 1st Birthday Party...
great ideas
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| Posted 5/20/08 3:27 PM |
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JenBenMen
party of five
Member since 9/06 11343 total posts
Name:
Jen
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Re: Lessons Learned from the 1st Birthday Party...
I agree with the morning nap--made DS sleep for the entire morning before his party
Forced him to nap about 45 minutes during the party so he would be in a good mood for the cake
Make sure the video camera is working--yeah, ours wasnt
I FORGOT to get a group shot of over the 30 kids that were there
Make sure you get a shot of your family together before the chaos starts
Have Fun--it goes so fast
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| Posted 5/20/08 3:55 PM |
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JenBenMen
party of five
Member since 9/06 11343 total posts
Name:
Jen
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Re: Lessons Learned from the 1st Birthday Party...
Posted by MST9106
This is a great thread!
I just have one question...would you go the big party route again? Or would you keep it low-key and just do something special with close family and friends?
to answer this...there was a LOT of planning and $$ spent---but I would do it all again....but not until his communion
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| Posted 5/20/08 3:57 PM |
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GoldenRod
10 years on LIF!
Member since 11/06 26792 total posts
Name:
Shawn
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Re: Lessons Learned from the 1st Birthday Party...
Posted by JenBenMen
Make sure you get a shot of your family together before the chaos starts
Related to that.... if you want to do any posed photos of DC, do it as early as possible. By the end of the party, DC will have more icing on them than the cake!
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| Posted 5/20/08 3:58 PM |
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nrthshgrl
It goes fast. Pay attention.
Member since 7/05 57538 total posts
Name:
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Re: Lessons Learned from the 1st Birthday Party...
Besides echoing everything above..
For parties outside the home, cupcakes are easy & quicker...no one has to cut the cake. Have a small cake for your dc.
I agree to hand off your camera to someone to take photos, otherwise you wind up with every little.
Also this always irks me. Have the husband & the wife (plus siblings if any) next to the birthday child as they blow out the candles. You can also face the number candle toward the camera not the birthday child.
Still swear by Star Tracks for party favors.
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| Posted 5/20/08 4:51 PM |
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pharmcat2000
Mom of 2 + 1
Member since 10/05 7395 total posts
Name:
Catherine
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Re: Lessons Learned from the 1st Birthday Party...
Posted by Smileyd17
-Hire a waitress if you can.
I can't second this enough!! They will put the food out, refill it when necessary, clean it up, make the coffee, serve the cake and put everything away. You can then enjoy your party too.
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| Posted 5/20/08 5:09 PM |
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leighla
Support Cancer Research
Member since 5/05 16353 total posts
Name:
Lauren
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Re: Lessons Learned from the 1st Birthday Party...
Plan activities for both good and bad weather.
I had a kids table set up with coloring books, puzzles, masks, stamps, stickers, etc. (all dinosaur themed) and the kids weren't bored at all.
I also had decorations they could play with and stuff everywhere that was kid friendly for all ages.
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| Posted 5/20/08 6:24 PM |
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luvsun27
Check out my cool glasses
Member since 5/05 8135 total posts
Name:
Kim
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Re: Lessons Learned from the 1st Birthday Party...
Lauren...you have left over cake? I'll be right over...it was SOOOOOOO good I thought the party was perfect (even though I got lost and was super late, which is not like me at all!).
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| Posted 5/20/08 7:12 PM |
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lbelle821
Arghhhhh
Member since 2/06 5285 total posts
Name:
Lisa
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Re: Lessons Learned from the 1st Birthday Party...
you forgot one thing...arrive at your venue 3 hours ahead of time just in case...
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| Posted 5/20/08 7:48 PM |
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leighla
Support Cancer Research
Member since 5/05 16353 total posts
Name:
Lauren
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Re: Lessons Learned from the 1st Birthday Party...
Posted by lbelle821
you forgot one thing...arrive at your venue 3 hours ahead of time just in case...
Ahhhh...excellent point.
If you are having your party at a lake club house the day after opening day, be sure to get there 3 hours early because the drunk people the night before think vacuuming means sucking down tequilla shots.
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| Posted 5/20/08 8:06 PM |
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dm24angel
Happiness
Member since 5/05 34581 total posts
Name:
Donna
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Re: Lessons Learned from the 1st Birthday Party...
GREAT THREAD!
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| Posted 5/21/08 7:43 AM |
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SweetCin
My green-eyed boy
Member since 5/05 13499 total posts
Name:
Cin
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Re: Lessons Learned from the 1st Birthday Party...
Love this thread.
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| Posted 5/21/08 7:52 AM |
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JenBenMen
party of five
Member since 9/06 11343 total posts
Name:
Jen
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Re: Lessons Learned from the 1st Birthday Party...
Posted by leighla
Posted by lbelle821
you forgot one thing...arrive at your venue 3 hours ahead of time just in case...
Ahhhh...excellent point.
If you are having your party at a lake club house the day after opening day, be sure to get there 3 hours early because the drunk people the night before think vacuuming means sucking down tequilla shots.
true...i went there the night before to make sure the set up was good
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| Posted 5/21/08 8:48 AM |
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