Essentials for 1st birthday party

cole1265 · March 2014

My sons first birthday is coming up and I was just wondering what you ladies thought was essential for your LO first birthday. Was there something you bought but didn't need? Or something you wish you had done? We are having about 40 people (8 kids) at our house.
TIA

laurelita42 · March 2014

I didn't buy anything but a cake. We had a small (about 12 people) family party and I was glad it was low key... my LO won't remember it anyway. I'll save the stress (and money) for a party she might actually enjoy in a few years. I would not overthink it, just have fun!

ilovedesi · March 2014

Lots of food and drinks for everyone were the only really "essential" things.

jnnfrrose6 · March 2014

We combined DS's first birthday with our housewarming party (we moved in a week before his birthday), so it was pretty low key. There isn't much you need for a first birthday party. Sure, we got some balloons (which he loved and we monitored him playing with), a few decorations, and a cake + smash cake, but overall it was a laid back cookout with our family and friends that happened to also be a birthday and house warming party.

I have to say, we did do a flag bunting with a picture on each flag showing him growing up and I love it. It's a picture from the day he was born, the day after, and then the monthly pictures I took. It's still up in our house because we like to look at how much he's grown.

BLPL101 · March 2014

We had a very small party, just family, but we had a smash cake and it was really fun. I actually got it at Walmart of all places! It was so cute.

MJM3108 · March 2014

We had food, cake + smash cake, drinks, and some decorations I made myself- a couple "Birthday Crossing" signs (train theme), a DIY train track running down the hall, and a "Happy 1st Birthday" bunting I made. The only other necessity was our family, and we had them, too!

Try to relax and remember your LO won't remember this day! Just have fun!

MrsBigTime · March 2014

I thought my DD's birthday outfit was essential! In the grand scheme, it's a silly detail, but when I look at her pictures, I love that I put her in an over the top outfit!

I would also say that a good picture of your family is an absolutely essential part of the photo - don't overlook it!

LittleApple · March 2014

Read this and do the opposite.

https://forums.thebump.com/discussion/12277588/vent-need-to-get-over-this-dd-s-first-birthday-party-long#latest

hollygb22 · March 2014

We didn't go nuts. We had 25 people..maybe 6-7 were very young kids. We had it at a local farm that gave us a personal hayride. Once we were back at the barn we had some pulled pork, potato salad, baked beans etc...some water, soda, and some kid friendly snacks.

The farm provided pumpkins for kids to paint. We only had the area for 2 hours..so we sang happy birthday, people ate cupcakes, and it was over. We opted to open gifts back at home.

My only advice..I wouldn't have this huge 4 hr party etc. Ours was 2 hours and DD was so all set at the end of it and on the verge of a melt down just from all the people, stimulation etc..I thought 2 hours was perfect amount of time!

SunAndRain · March 2014

I went nuts. Candy bar, buckets of favors, hand made signs, tons of food. I made a theme cake that miraculously turned out awesome. I also made her party hat

The one thing I didn't do was a smash cake and I don't regret my decision. I also made cupcakes and gave one to dd. It was the perfect size for her little hand and she did smash it in to her mouth.

Oh I didn't decorate her high chair either.

We had about 40 guests, 15 were kids.

usarmywifetso · March 2014

For that size of a party (about the same as what we did), I'd say the most important thing is to make sure you have enough food/drinks and seating. DS's bday is in August so we did out party outside so people were up and down the whole time but when everyone sat down while we opened gifts, there was a lot of seat sharing, lol. Oh and to go along with the food/drinks, make sure you have enough plates, cups, silverware, etc. Other than that, it's just whatever you want (decorations, games, etc). Have fun!

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