Since you ladies are the experts....
mama&baby
member
LO's first birthday isn't for a few months, but I am planning on a lot of DIY projects, so I figure I should start planning now...
My question is about timing, etc. As of right now, I only plan on having cake/ice cream/whatever and not actual food due to budget constraints (we have LOTS of family in the area and I am sure that most of them will be there if they are in town). It would probably cost close to $400 to feed everyone if I was to do GOOD food. My side of the family is Italian, and they expect good food. Anyways, I was thinking that I could host the party for 2-5 PM. We probably wouldn't go that long, but I figure that's the time when people should know to leave by. So what do you all think?
Any suggestions from the "etiquette police" would be appreciated!
ETA: I added this into the comments but then thought I should add it to the post... I definitely want to do what is right etiquette wise for this...I have already had a few people ask what LO wants for this birthday. Is it OK to include registry info or no? I made one for myself as more of a checklist for birthday/xmas since his bday is in Novembe and I could share that..... but at the same time I don't wanna seem tacky
Re: Since you ladies are the experts....
2 -5 is a good time to not have a meal. However, to have NO food beyond cake? Especially w/ people who expect "good food"? People are going to be side-eyeing you.
Have a veggie tray, some chips and salsa perhaps, and cheese and crackers. Just SOMETHING for people to munch on.
~Benjamin Franklin
DS dx with celiac disease 5/28/10
I agree with this. 3 hours is a long time for a 1 year old's birthday party. Maybe you could shorten it to 2-4. Keep in mind when your LO will be napping as well. I always adjusted their party times around their nap schedules. If you plan to have games for the kids that come then you might be able to make it 3 hours but that would mean quite a few games. A lot depends on your "entertainment" plans. I had a "balloon man" come one time and he took up about 30-45 minutes which was just right (we served popcorn during his 'show"). Those parties lasted about 3 hours but we also had a full meal, entertainment, games for the kids, outside play, and the kids opened their own gifts. You will be opening your LO's gifts so that won't take long.
Thanks ladies I think you are right about the snacks--- I will be sure to have a couple items for them. Plus we are having a cookie monster theme for him, so I think part of favors will be a big cookie bar (technically for the adults... though I am sure the kids will like it too)
As for the time... I was thinking that the party would only last til 4..... so I will be sure to put that on the invites as well
One more question...... and I definitely want to do what is right etiquette wise for this... but I have already had a few people ask what LO wants for this birthday. Is it OK to include registry info or no? I made one for myself as more of a checklist for birthday/xmas since his bday is in Novembe and I could share that..... but at the same time I don't wanna seem tacky
Do not provide a registry, but you can name a few items from it if asked for suggestions.
We held DD's first birthday party from 2 to 4 and served cake, pretzels, veggies and dip, fruit and dip, and maybe a few other small things. It worked out great.
BFP #1 9/7/10, EDD 5/14/11, Violet born 5/27/11.
BFP #2 4/9/12, EDD 12/16/12, M/C Rory 4/24/12.
BFP #3 10/6/12, EDD 6/16/12., Matilda born 6/17/13.
I feel as if 2-5 would be "lunch/dinner time" maybe you can include on the invite that it is desert only so people don't expect food and come hungry...?
Or since you have a lot of family in the area - seek help and ask everyone to bring a dish! My family is usually pretty good about pot-luck type parties... it gets expensive having so many big parties - - have everyone bring an appetizer and have a snacks and desert type party...
I saw one for a 3 year old's birthday, which included gifts for his infant sister, on FB. There were also gifts for the older child on the new baby's registry, because he was going to be an older brother and deserved to be spoiled too. My eyes just about rolled out of my head.
OP: I agree with PPs, definitely serve some kind of apps/fingers foods. Also, do not include any registry info. If people ask for suggestions, it is appropriate to give them ideas.
1/12/13 DD was born
4/9/16 DS was born
9/17 CP
6/23/18 BFP EDD 3/4/19
I'm Italian and if you are not going to have food besides cake you will get side-eyed. I'm not talking a five-course meal, but you should have some kind of lunch food, sandwiches, veggies and dip and whatnot. Just little things but something more than just the cake.
No offense, but I would not turn his birthday party into a potluck. If someone asks if they can bring something you can, of course, take them up on the offer for help. "would you mind bringing some chips? Or maybe a veggie tray?" but please don't ask your guests to bring food and a gift. I would rather go to a party with snacks and cake then be asked to bring food.
My friend throws potluck birthday parties for her kid and it is incredibly rude and tacky. Either figure out a way to cut cost somewhere else in your party plans (fewer decorations, invite fewer people, ditch a jumpy or ballon guy). A birthday party is a gift giving event like a shower and it would be rude fr the host to request guests bring anything.
Considering the clueless of your "throwing your own shower post above" I will assume you are also clueless about child development. A just turning 1 year old will not have the vocabulary to tell people what he wants. Not in 5 word sentences, or 4 words or 3. He will maybe be saying a couple of words period - not enough for him to "tell whoever asks."
OP - didn't mean to hijack your post. I agree with the other posters, have some snacks/apps for the party. And don't add registry info to an invite, but if people ask you what to get him, you can by all means give them suggestions.
Oh FFS--do you honestly think having a registry is acceptable!?!?!?
::picks up jaw and walks away::
If you actually read my post I said I had one as a gift list for my reference only and was wondering if it would be appropriate to include it. Clearly, I will share items off it with people if they ask, but not give the actual registry. I just wanted to get opinions on it.
We are going to do a fruit/veggie tray as well as cake for DD's birthday. Honestly, I've never expected to be fed at a kid's birthday party. If its a big deal they will feed their kids beforehand. With all the allergy concerns I would worry about killing a kid or making them seriously sick.
Let the guest know to join you for "cake, Icecream & punch" to celebrate. I don't know where it has become a damn catered event for a kid's bday. Jesus.
LFAF Summer 2016 Awards:
If you can't afford to feed people, don't throw the party at all. Just have a cake with your immediate family or invite a small enough guest list and feed them.
A childs birthday party doesn't have to be a big affair but if you are it making one, you must feed your guests.
No, including a registry or mentioning gifts at all is not okay.