Post # 1

Member
2692 posts
Sugar bee
Is anyone else planning a first birthday party? What are your plans, ideas, themes??? Share them here!!!! My baby will be 1 year old in August, cannot believe how fast time is flying by. I am planning a circus theme birthday party and have already started diy-ing some decor and the invitations. I worked on cupcake toppers last night. I made a few banners and centerpieces and bought some goody bags (those popcorn boxes).
I have some prizes for games already and have my guest list and food list ready. I rented the community hall at the park and i am renting a moonbounce as well. I am planning to have a cake (ordered) and make cupcakes. I have the cake toppers already. I plan to have a shirt made with baby’s photo on the front.
We’re going to have a pinata. Color scheme is red, yellow, blue and white with some orange and green. I have to get lots of balloons and streamers. I am planning on having a sweets table and candy bufftet. And lots of fun food like popcorn, nachos and cheese, corndogs, chocolate covered marhsmallows and pretzels, cookie pops, fruit kabobs, and cotton candy. And maybe hot dogs or open face tacos.
I have 3 games planned: pin the nose on the clown, knock down the pins and ring toss. I also plan to have photo favors since I am doing the baby’s 1st birthday photo session the day before his party. I am doing a lot myself because it’s fun, easy and cheap. I am so excited and cannot wait. It will be bittersweet.
Post # 2

Member
6015 posts
Bee Keeper
Wow I can’t wait to see what you have planned for a 10th birthday party. We usually just have family over to the house and give the kid his own cake so he can make a mess while everyone eats their cake. It’s usually an hour or two long, I mean they are one and won’t remember it at all.
Post # 3

Member
7364 posts
Busy Beekeeper
I don’t have more than a homemade cake for my girls until they are at least old enough to remember it. But it sounds like you are having fun planning!
Post # 4

Member
6826 posts
Busy Beekeeper
That is a little excessive for a 1 year old’s birthday party. We just had food a cake smash and opening presents.
Post # 5

Member
9074 posts
Buzzing Beekeeper
I agree it seems excessive for a baby’s first birthday. He isn’t going to remember it and will probably be interested in only cake. How much older are the guest list going to be? They’re not going to be interested in celebrating and want to chill in the bounce house with cake all over their faces. I wouldn’t plan anything more than a handmade cake or cupcakes until the child is at least old enough to participate moreso and remember it. But, whatever floats your boat.
Post # 6

Member
5761 posts
Bee Keeper
I think it all sounds great! I hate when people say they won’t remember it anyway, but you know what? They’ll ask when they look through their pictures about why they didn’t have a birthday party! They are only little for such a short time, and making memories (if only for you) are so important. Enjoy yourself!
Post # 7

Member
3639 posts
Sugar bee
Don’t listen to all of the downers! 1st birthdays are about FAMILY, not the birthday boy/girl. How awesome will that party be for all the cousins and friends’ children?! It sounds like it will be an absolute blast!
Post # 8

Member
9552 posts
Buzzing Beekeeper
Who cares if he won’t remember it? It sounds like you’re having fun planning it, so it’s not like it’s a problem for anyone else. Sounds fun to me.
Post # 9

Member
2183 posts
Buzzing bee
- Wedding: November 2011 - Florida Aquarium
This sounds awesome! My daughter turns one in december, and I’m planning, as well. For me, my shower was a downer due to lack of planning, and I really want to host a party in my daughter’s honor to sort of make up for it. Her party will be dr. Seuss themed, and we’ll invite family and friends. I still have photos from my first birthday, and I want her look back and see that everyone came together for her when she was little.
Post # 10

Member
1612 posts
Bumble bee
Sounds like an awesome party although I agree that it’s a bit much for a first birthday party. I’ve been to a few in the last year. One was a swimming party followed by cake (which the birthday girl smashed into her face and held like a trophy…its was adorable). There were about 12 kids there of various ages. The second was for my godson. They had about 10 kids under 5 including the birthday boy’s 3 year old sister. It was at their house and had a Sesame Street theme (as did the big sister’s last party). The kids ran around playing with various toys, ate pizza and then the birthday boy smashed cake into his face. Also adorable.
Post # 11

Member
2286 posts
Buzzing bee
All of that sounds great and like a lot of fun.
Unlike some of the other commenters, I don’t think what you are planning is excessive.
People always bring up the point that the child probably won’t remember the party, but that just doesn’t matter. A first birthday is a milestone, because so much happens, and can happen, in that first year. There’s simply nothing wrong with planning a party that celebrates a child making it through the first year, and where the parents share their happiness with their friends and families. If they want to celebrate with a big party or a little party, an elaborate party or a simple party, a family dinner or a trip to get ice cream, it’s ok. What matters is that they’re celebrating the way that is right for them and that their intentions are good.
Besides, pictures and videos do exist and they have for some time. If the child doesn’t remember the party, they’ll definitely be able to look at the pictures and video when they’re older.
Post # 12

Member
2692 posts
Sugar bee
I just LOVE parties and planning. I have 4 kids… this baby is our last. And I had a huge first birthday party for my three older kids. They loved it… and still love parties to this day. Most of the decor for this party is diy. As well as the invites, so I am trying to make it as budget friendly as possible. I know baby will be too young to participate but he will be the youngest, so the other kids will have a blast and my kids are super excited. And yes, pics and video do exist and my kids love looking back and reminiscing, as I do.
for me, nothing trumps a 1st birthday. So I like to do it big (well bigger than most I guess). Its a celebrationfor so much… plus my family just love parties and I love planng them lol.
Post # 13

Member
3133 posts
Sugar bee
bridalprincess: I think it sounds nice!! IDK why people feel the need to be judgy about your plans. Your thread wasn’t titled ” do you think this is too much?” LOL I feel like the bee has been pretty annoying with stuff like that lately…anyway
I was surprised this was for the 4th kid!! Its a running joke in my family about how my parents went all out for the oldest kids 1st birthday by getting him a clown. ( I am #3 out of 4 kids) and the subsequent parties had no clowns. We always pretend we are offended by the lack of clowns lol. I think your party sounds awesome!
Post # 14

Member
1671 posts
Bumble bee
Your party sounds like it will be awesome!! I wish I had more time to do more DIY stuff for my sons birthday. I love your ideas. The one thing that I did make was a banner with a picture of my son for his first 12 months. People loved it. My son had a blast at his party!! Even if your baby does not remember it, you will and so will the rest of the family.
Post # 15

Member
2446 posts
Buzzing bee
My best friends’ son recently turned 1 and they had a monster themed birthday party! They got a taco guy to cater and we made cupcakes. They made a rag banner and also ordered a photo banner from Oriental Trading. I think they found a lot of monster decor on there as well, and Etsy. They also had a bounce house for the other kids. It was really fun!
Boxerlover24: seriously about the judgy wudgy bears.