1st Birthday Party ?

snok83 · January 2014

Okay ladies... I know there have been several post on this topic. But here is what I am wanting opinions on. What time are you thinking about having the party? Are you planning a meal, cake and appetizers or just cake?

What exactly does one do or plan for a 1st birthday party? Just eating cake, opening gifts and then socializing? Also we are considering doing a meal because we have family coming over 3 hours away- do you think you have them over for a light lunch followed by cake/gifts. Or do the party stuff first and then after the official party is over then offer supper to whomever wants to stay. Struggling to figure out a plan for the day. And right now our DD goes to bed around 6 pm so I don't want to make the party too late in the day or I worry she will be fussy.

Oh and how far in advance do you normally send out invites for a 1st bday?

Anyone want to share their plans or ideas for your party I would greatly appreciate it!

ClandestineX · January 2014

Okay, these are my plans. I am not a great planner so expect a wide range of what I will actually be doing.. I could be doing this word for word.. or doing something completely different by the end of the week.

Anyways,

Theme: Construction

What will we all do: Adults: Socialize, watch kids play, go 4 wheel riding (maybe). Kids: Play whack -something- with blow up hammers, toss rings around construction cones (like horse), pin the tool on the builder.

Food: Cake (and possibly cupcakes), smash cake for Connor, and either Thanksgiving style dinner (all laid out on a long table) or order pizza and salad bar. I will have snacks laid out on the table as well.

Presents: After we blow out candles and eat cake.

After the party: Making gift tool belts with stuff in the pockets that each person can take home, even the adults if they want. It will also have a thank you card.

It will be:

-Guests arrive, kids get blow up hammers, hard hats, and vests. They start playing the games. (Big kids can go play on my xbox if they want)

-cake

-presents

-food/social time

As for your question, I would think if they drove that far to the party they would want to be around for a little bit before getting back in the car and driving back.. unless they spend the night.

ClandestineX · January 2014

double post

tondraluv · January 2014

I think its a valid question. Our party is going to be from 1p-5p, I chose this timing because it's between Brayden's naps. I am serving baked chicken, potato salad, fruit, rolls, and pasta salad for 40 guests. I also am having a candy bar and beer. There are only 4 little people coming (between the age 1-7) so I bought a pin the eyes on the owl game, pinwheels, and owl masks. For the most part, we will just be socializing and watch Brayden open gifts. I just ordered the invites tonight & they will take 3 weeks to get to me so I'll send them in late February (Brayden is actually a March baby) I'm pretty new to this too since I have the first baby, grandchild, great grand, etc. between mine and my husbands family. Oh and our theme is the "Dapper Owl" btw. I ordered/ made tons of decorations of little owls with hats, ties, and mustaches.

snok83 · January 2014

Sorry didnt mean to sound dumb:( Surprisingly most of my family and younger cousins live out of state. So I cannot even remember the last kid party i went to. I got the basics of gifts, cake and socializing just wasnt sure if I needed to think about more structured activities or games. And wanted to see if anyone had any cute ideas to try like crafts for the kids.

teach1008 · January 2014

I would say depending on the ages of the kids, you may not need activities. At my son's first 3 parties we either were at our house or at a playground. The kids had fun playing with his toys or running around at the playground. I've noticed that as we go to the 3rd/4th year parties there tends to be more entertainment or crafts/games. Also, timing-wise, we did his 1st party later in the day after both naps, so it was more at dinnertime. The whole party was 2 hours. If there are a lot of kids that's about as long as they will last without going bonkers!

MsAmeera25 · January 2014

cece2682 said:

I don't mean to sound rude- but have you never been to a birthday party before that you don't know the usual rundown of events for one? I am truthfully not being a b****, I'm just curious. Here's my two cents...:) Invites typically go out at least a month in advance. And food depends on your timing of the party. If you have it during lunch or dinner hours, then you should supply your guests with an appropriate meal. For example, if you have the party from12-4pm, you should serve lunch. If it is from 2-6, you can serve a late lunch or dinner. I think the only time you can get away from an entire meal is 1-5. Hope this helps! ETA- personally, I would always have a hot catered meal for guests if I am throwing a party. People love food! You don't want people leaving your party saying, omg I'm starving, why was there no food!

I think this is a legit question, most childless people or in a younger age group may not have ever been to a kid's party.

[Deleted User] · January 2014

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MsAmeera25 · January 2014

cece2682 said:

cece2682 said:

I don't mean to sound rude- but have you never been to a birthday party before that you don't know the usual rundown of events for one? I am truthfully not being a b****, I'm just curious. Here's my two cents...:) Invites typically go out at least a month in advance. And food depends on your timing of the party. If you have it during lunch or dinner hours, then you should supply your guests with an appropriate meal. For example, if you have the party from12-4pm, you should serve lunch. If it is from 2-6, you can serve a late lunch or dinner. I think the only time you can get away from an entire meal is 1-5. Hope this helps! ETA- personally, I would always have a hot catered meal for guests if I am throwing a party. People love food! You don't want people leaving your party saying, omg I'm starving, why was there no food!
I think this is a legit question, most childless people or in a younger age group may not have ever been to a kid's party.
I'm pretty sure I acknowledged that it was indeed legit and that I then understood her question after what she said.

Obviously I replied before I read your other response. Your goal of the day should be to not be so damn rude.

pinottoparenthood · January 2014

We plan to send out invitations at the end of Feb or so. I was thinking 2-4 PM for our party, but Rhys is generally napping during that window, so I might change that. I plan to serve lots of finger foods, fruit, snacks, dips, cheese, crackers, and maybe some sandwiches... so it's not like a full-on hot meal, but if people missed lunch, there will still be plenty for them to nosh on.

We might have a couple other babies there but no kids, so I'm not worrying about games or kids activities. We do plan to have beer, sangria, and perhaps lemonade. (I'm thinking of doing "You are my sunshine" as the theme, so lots of yellow/orange stuff). I figure the adults can have a couple drinks, socialize, and that will be more fun for them than forced party games. But it definitely depends on your crowd of people!

For dessert we will have cake (probably from a bakery) and I will make a small smash cake for Rhys (low sugar, a little healthier).

For favors, I think I am going to do a sweet treats bar - orange/yellow cookies, cake pops, and candy, with some cute bags that match the theme, and people can fill up their bags and take goodies with them when they leave.

We will open presents and otherwise just socialize! I am super excited.

PS, someone else here is doing a you are my sunshine party and I totally stole the idea. I don't remember who it was... but I can't claim credit!

Also, @tondraluv the dapper owl is PROBABLY the cutest thing I've ever heard!

MsAmeera25 · January 2014

@msameera-it's not my fault you didn't read ahead and I stated 3 times, once in my initial response, that I wasn't trying to sound rude at all. I assumed we have all been to at least one kid party or a birthday party in general, so when someone says they have no idea what goes on at a kid party, it threw me off a bit. I wasn't asking to be rude, I said I was genuinely curious. I went on to apologize in a second post because I knew how it sounded and wanted OP to know I was honestly not being a bitch or rude AND i continued to offer suggestions to her questions. So please explain why I am now being called rude. Because I simply stated to you (a third time) that I understood it was a legit question??? That makes me rude? I think it's rude of you to dictate what my goals of the day should be.

FYI the next time you have to start a post off with "I'm not trying to be rude" chances are you are being rude. Other people also told you it was a legit question, and other people also said you were being rude. Don't single me out. And yes you're goal for Friday should be to work on your tone. If you don't want people calling you rude don't be such a b!tch and then try to pretend you were'nt being b!tchy.

MsAmeera25 · January 2014

cece2682 said:

Omg. Have you ever said something over the Internet and the tone gets totally misconstrued? I admit I should have chosen my words better but I will not admit to being a bitch bc I sincerely wasn't trying to be one.It came across wrong and that's why I apologized after rereading her post.

To clarify, the fact that you took the time to write me a snarky response is why I said you were rude. You could have easily said oh wait maybe she replied before reading the rest of the responses and went on with your day.

ceamac0127 · January 2014

Happy Friday y'all!

tondraluv · January 2014

pinottoparenthood said:

We plan to send out invitations at the end of Feb or so. I was thinking 2-4 PM for our party, but Rhys is generally napping during that window, so I might change that. I plan to serve lots of finger foods, fruit, snacks, dips, cheese, crackers, and maybe some sandwiches... so it's not like a full-on hot meal, but if people missed lunch, there will still be plenty for them to nosh on.
We might have a couple other babies there but no kids, so I'm not worrying about games or kids activities. We do plan to have beer, sangria, and perhaps lemonade. (I'm thinking of doing "You are my sunshine" as the theme, so lots of yellow/orange stuff). I figure the adults can have a couple drinks, socialize, and that will be more fun for them than forced party games. But it definitely depends on your crowd of people!
For dessert we will have cake (probably from a bakery) and I will make a small smash cake for Rhys (low sugar, a little healthier).
For favors, I think I am going to do a sweet treats bar - orange/yellow cookies, cake pops, and candy, with some cute bags that match the theme, and people can fill up their bags and take goodies with them when they leave.
We will open presents and otherwise just socialize! I am super excited.
PS, someone else here is doing a you are my sunshine party and I totally stole the idea. I don't remember who it was... but I can't claim credit!
Also, @tondraluv the dapper owl is PROBABLY the cutest thing I've ever heard!

Awwww thanks!!!!!!!

Lhyacinth888 · January 2014

What time are you thinking about having the party? Probably late morning. We may skip our morning nap if she is still taking one by then.
Are you planning a meal, cake and appetizers or just cake? We'll do a small easy meal and cake of course.

What exactly does one do or plan for a 1st birthday party? We'll probably open presents then eat lunch, cake then my DD will take a nap and everyone else will hang out (hopefully outside if the weather's nice). I was thinking of getting a pinata since there will be 5 kids ages 3-8 there.

We probably won't send out invites or we will do an e-vite. It will only be my parents, MIL, my two sisters and their husbands and my 2 nieces and 2 nephews and maybe my brother... and of course DH and my DS.

I might be real cheesy and do an Alice in Onederland theme (my DD is named Alice). I want a gender neutral theme so my DS and two nephews can be interested as well. We'll see though... I haven't done any planning yet but have lots of crazy ideas.

megandscott07 · January 2014

If OP had been to a child's party recently enough to remember details, why would she be asking? Even if you weren't trying to be rude, you were. I don't understand the point of your asking her the question. If her answer had been yes, just so you can satisfy your idea that she must be dumb if she can't figure it out after attending others? I honestly had the same questions as OP because I have never attended a one-year old bday party as an adult. I just don't understand the point of your questioning, what were you hoping to achieve by asking the question?

ceamac0127 · January 2014

pinottoparenthood said:
We plan to send out invitations at the end of Feb or so. I was thinking 2-4 PM for our party, but Rhys is generally napping during that window, so I might change that. I plan to serve lots of finger foods, fruit, snacks, dips, cheese, crackers, and maybe some sandwiches... so it's not like a full-on hot meal, but if people missed lunch, there will still be plenty for them to nosh on.
We might have a couple other babies there but no kids, so I'm not worrying about games or kids activities. We do plan to have beer, sangria, and perhaps lemonade. (I'm thinking of doing "You are my sunshine" as the theme, so lots of yellow/orange stuff). I figure the adults can have a couple drinks, socialize, and that will be more fun for them than forced party games. But it definitely depends on your crowd of people!
For dessert we will have cake (probably from a bakery) and I will make a small smash cake for Rhys (low sugar, a little healthier).
For favors, I think I am going to do a sweet treats bar - orange/yellow cookies, cake pops, and candy, with some cute bags that match the theme, and people can fill up their bags and take goodies with them when they leave.
We will open presents and otherwise just socialize! I am super excited.
PS, someone else here is doing a you are my sunshine party and I totally stole the idea. I don't remember who it was... but I can't claim credit!
Also, @tondraluv the dapper owl is PROBABLY the cutest thing I've ever heard!

Seriously, why are we the same person?? I was planning a sunshine theme up until a day or two ago. A girl on Facebook that I really don't like that tries to compete with me all the time (since our girls are so close in age) posted that she is doing a sunshine theme. So I have to find a new theme now. Grrrr X(

Mommymorticia · January 2014

@-) Bday parties are more controversial than I thought.

Our party is at noon on a Saturday. I wanted to do a light lunch, say sandwich trays, and cake and candies but SO is pushing hard for a taco bar. The only reason I am giving in is because his bday is a week later. So I'm going to have all of the fixings, beef and shredded crockpot chicken, plus rice and beans. Might have cotton candy, chocolate dipped strawberries, and cake. I'm going to have a ball pit in the living room. Invites a month before but I'm just putting it on FB.

I think it's generally expected to have at least snacks at a party, at least in my experience there always are. That could just be dessert though. Layout of events is up to you. In my family we always eat the meal first, then presents, then dessert.

pinottoparenthood · January 2014

@cece2682 I would just let it drop. Maybe your wording didn't come out like you intended it to, but anyone who knows you fairly well on this board knows that you're not a bitch. I, for one, would like to thank you for making my day a little more interesting.

@cmcmillan0901 A) That girl sounds hideous.

Unless that girl is me, haha. C) Please move here so that we can be BFF's for life. And force our children into an awkward arranged marriage.

ceamac0127 · January 2014

pinottoparenthood said:

@cece2682 I would just let it drop. Maybe your wording didn't come out like you intended it to, but anyone who knows you fairly well on this board knows that you're not a bitch. I, for one, would like to thank you for making my day a little more interesting.

@cmcmillan0901 A) That girl sounds hideous. Unless that girl is me, haha. C) Please move here so that we can be BFF's for life. And force our children into an awkward arranged marriage.

NC is actually one of the places H and I discuss moving to if we leave KS....

MsAmeera25 · January 2014

cece2682 said:

Thanks @pinottoparenthood! And you're welcome I suppose. I just don't appreciate being called nasty names by a "lurker who doesn't dig us".

Maybe I should go back and clarify I just don't dig you....not everyone. :x

MsAmeera25 · January 2014

cece2682 said:

cece2682 said:

Thanks @pinottoparenthood! And you're welcome I suppose. I just don't appreciate being called nasty names by a "lurker who doesn't dig us".

Maybe I should go back and clarify I just don't dig you....not everyone. :x
You're a mean girl. But that's fine, not everyone has to like me. I don't think I did anything to warrant that type of a negative response, I am always trying to be supportive and nice on here, so if you want to take the one time you thought I was being rude, even after I apologized and tried to explain, that's your problem, not mine.

Actually I'm not a mean girl but I can be you're still making comments about me so I decided to return the favor. While you're singing the woe is me song did you forget that you literally just wrote this Thanks @pinottoparenthood! And you're welcome I suppose. I just don't appreciate being called nasty names by a "lurker who doesn't dig us". Right after I posted my FFFC Seriously cut it out.

MsAmeera25 · January 2014

cece2682 said:

Cut what out????? I didn't forget my post and nothing I said to Pinot was mean or bad! Explain to me how me saying thank you for saying I'm not a bitch and that I don't appreciate being called names by... And then adding your own words, is bad???? You've got issues.

Clearly you have accountabilty issues.

Sol1790 · January 2014

I was falling sleep at work but not anymore! @cece take a deep breath and let it go! We all know you are jot mean. And I personally did not think your post was rude and I am pregnant and sensitive!

tondraluv · January 2014

@jthree I love your reasoning behind your theme, its so sweet!!!!!

kgs0505 · January 2014

We're planning either 10am-12pm, or 11am - 1pm (depends on what works best, for my kids it would be the earlier time, for out of towners, probably the later time). In my opinion more than 2 hours for a kids party is too long unless they can entertain themselves! We are having it at a public park, so the activites are the giant play structures right next to the shelter I might do some kind of game, but I have to figure out how many kids will be there and he approximate ages.

For food we are just going with lunch type stuff (sandwiches, salads, fruit) and I think we'll do cupcakes.

Schedule - play, eat, play (first hour). Cake then presents (second hour), and play. If after the two hours are up, and anyone wants too, they can come back to the house to relax while the babies at least sleep.

ClandestineX · January 2014

I don't know if I wished that my internet worked or be happy it is not right now.

ChicagoBroad26 · January 2014

All I'm going to say is that CLEARLY MsAmeera had beef with Cece before this post.

JSS1002 · January 2014

Geez, wasn't expecting this from a thread I assumed would be totally boring!

JBDamonM · January 2014

I am catching up on this now, way late to the party. My concensous; @cece2682.... Not rude at all. @msameera25. I feel like you're bored and just looking to stir the pot. It's ok if you are, I won't judge. I myself did it one day over a Facebook group post!!! Oh and also @jthree- my LO was the same ladybug for Halloween. I LOVED that costume!

MsAmeera25 · January 2014

Okay so I took the bait.

ChicagoBroad26 why do you think I had beef with CeCe before...ummm I didn't she just annoyed me when she made her snarky reply.

And for all the ladies talking about the cattiness and name calling blah blah. To that I say what the hell ever. There is a difference between me straight out say hey cece you are a B!tch for no reason or telling her behavior was b!tchy which it was in IMO. She continued the conversation cause clearly I wasn't talking to myself, so obviously she enjoyed the "drama".

And let's not get things confused. I am not a lurker who is posting drama and running away. I'm here every day and have been seen my BFP so if I feel like telling you heifers I don't like you guys as much as the first or second set of women who were on here then dammit that's what i'm going to do. And I am certainly not going to feel bad about it.

ClandestineX · January 2014

MsAmeera25 said:

Okay so I took the bait.

ChicagoBroad26 why do you think I had beef with CeCe before...ummm I didn't she just annoyed me when she made her snarky reply.

And for all the ladies talking about the cattiness and name calling blah blah. To that I say what the hell ever. There is a difference between me straight out say hey cece you are a B!tch for no reason or telling her behavior was b!tchy which it was in IMO. She continued the conversation cause clearly I wasn't talking to myself, so obviously she enjoyed the "drama".

And let's not get things confused. I am not a lurker who is posting drama and running away. I'm here every day and have been seen my BFP so if I feel like telling you heifers I don't like you guys as much as the first or second set of women who were on here then dammit that's what i'm going to do. And I am certainly not going to feel bad about it.

Holy shit I shot water out of my nose.

MsAmeera, you sound like you are taking this way too personal or you are having a shitty day or both. There is really no need to get so defensive about this.

I honestly do not think people, besides CeCe, said you were just a lurker either. I clearly remember you participating a bunch, just not recently. Hoping things are good for ya.

kelsea1031 · January 2014

MsAmeera25 · January 2014

ClandestineX said:

MsAmeera25 said:

Okay so I took the bait.

ChicagoBroad26 why do you think I had beef with CeCe before...ummm I didn't she just annoyed me when she made her snarky reply.

And for all the ladies talking about the cattiness and name calling blah blah. To that I say what the hell ever. There is a difference between me straight out say hey cece you are a B!tch for no reason or telling her behavior was b!tchy which it was in IMO. She continued the conversation cause clearly I wasn't talking to myself, so obviously she enjoyed the "drama".

And let's not get things confused. I am not a lurker who is posting drama and running away. I'm here every day and have been seen my BFP so if I feel like telling you heifers I don't like you guys as much as the first or second set of women who were on here then dammit that's what i'm going to do. And I am certainly not going to feel bad about it.

Holy shit I shot water out of my nose.

MsAmeera, you sound like you are taking this way too personal or you are having a shitty day or both. There is really no need to get so defensive about this.

I honestly do not think people, besides CeCe, said you were just a lurker either. I clearly remember you participating a bunch, just not recently. Hoping things are good for ya.

I'm not taking it personal it's the internet. But when the same people chastising me about being catty and starting drama are still bringing up a conversation that occurred hours ago and tagging me in it, it irks me.

ClandestineX · January 2014

melissad23 · January 2014

glad today is not one of the days DH asks me what is new on the bump. (I think I would just lie)

MsAmeera25 · January 2014

ClandestineX said:

OMG this just made me burst out laughing!

tondraluv · January 2014

ClandestineX said:

Holy shit @clandestinex this is one of the funniest things I've seen in life......dead

)

[Deleted User] · January 2014

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JSS1002 · January 2014

MsAmeera25 said:

Okay so I took the bait.

ChicagoBroad26 why do you think I had beef with CeCe before...ummm I didn't she just annoyed me when she made her snarky reply.

And for all the ladies talking about the cattiness and name calling blah blah. To that I say what the hell ever. There is a difference between me straight out say hey cece you are a B!tch for no reason or telling her behavior was b!tchy which it was in IMO. She continued the conversation cause clearly I wasn't talking to myself, so obviously she enjoyed the "drama".

And let's not get things confused. I am not a lurker who is posting drama and running away. I'm here every day and have been seen my BFP so if I feel like telling you heifers I don't like you guys as much as the first or second set of women who were on here then dammit that's what i'm going to do. And I am certainly not going to feel bad about it.

@MsAmeera25, I have to admit I'm very confused and surprised by this. You are one of the first people I remember "meeting" on here, and I have always liked you very much, and often wondered why you don't post more. I feel like your personality just did a very bizarre 180 - like you just came out of nowhere and decided to be pretty rude for no reason whatsoever. Is something going on with you? Are you struggling with some psychological stuff or stressed out or something? Because this all seems EXTREMELY out of character. And, I may add, is very disappointing.

pinottoparenthood · January 2014

Guys she definitely isn't a troll. She has posted on here a lot. I have even sent her formula coupons. Agree to disagree and let it die! ETA: I am definitely not a heifer... Let me AW it up for a minute and say that I weighed myself this morning and am back down to my high school weight! Woooooo breastfeeding!

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