B-day party for 1-year old?

Question

My husband and I have large families that are really looking forward to my son's 1st birthday on 02/09. I was just going to do something at home with the 3 of us, but now my mother-in-law says if I don't want to do anything huge...that she's really like the party to be at her house. (which means my family would be excluded...and hurt.)

What type of activities can I do with 14+ adults...that would still celebrate my son's 1st birthday? (After all, he's 1...doesn't know what birthdays are...and probably won't be able to participate?)

Oh-- We live in Colorado, it's currently 5 degrees outside, and I haven't seen my grass/street in over a month (because of snow).

Answer 1

Why would your family have to be excluded from the party? It doesn't sound like she's trying to host the party, just provide a place to have it, which means you are still in charge of the guest list. It sounds like both sides of the family would like to participate in celebrating the first birthday, so you either include everybody or you exclude everybody.

The first birthday party can really be more of a luncheon, concluding with you opening the presents for your child in front of everyone, and then introducing him to his first processed sugars--in the form of a birthday cake. Our local grocery stores (Rosauers, Safeway, Albertsons) will give you a free 8 inch round one layer cake for 1st birthday, you can strip your kid down to a diaper, set him in the highchair and let him go at that cake all on his own. Order a separate cake for everyone else.

Answer 2

I know what your going through, I have the same problem. Daughter is going to be one, my family lives about 70 miles away, and my in laws are right across the street. Both want to be involved in the party but i dont think my daughter will even understand whats going on. I suggest what you do is do the cake, and the presents. rather than bbq just cook burgers and dogs inside, make it as though its a regular get together, like you said its not like hell be able to participate anyway. I have to have two parties, that arent really parties. One at my moms and one here for my inlaws. Just ask everyone not to make it a huge deal to your child as it may very well overwhelm him. It doesnt have to be too long and the adults can just sit have coffee and talk. After all, this is for a child. I hope I helped you and I hope everything works out. HAPPY BIRTHDAY to your son

Answer 3

I made the mistake of a birthday party with about five other people, when my son turned 1. For my daugther, I plan on just the four of us. My son was overwhelmed, confused and consequently miserable. It was too much for him. If your family is that set on having a birthday for your son, don't put too much focus on him, it may only upset him.

Instead, plan a regular party for adults or a family get-together. Then you can still do the cake and presents, but space it out more than you would an older child. Just the fact that the whole family is together and gets to see your son will be enough. There doesn't need to be games, (he's too young for many of them) and if you don't make him the sole focus, he can get some personal space and be a little happier for it.

Also, take it easy for your own sake. Ask for help with planning and preperations. Then on your son's actual birthday, you can do something small for the three of you.

Answer 4

I had my son's first birthday party at the bowling ally. That allowed the adults and older children to do something then we had cake and opened presents in the party room. For my daughters first birthday we did it at Pizza Hut. The key to having a good stress-less birthday party for me is to do it away from home that way if any family who wants to attend but has issues with other family that will be there you are on neutral ground and you don't have to anything to clean up. But also remember that if you just want to do something with the 3 of you that is for you to decide do not feel pressured by others that you have to have something that everyone is invited to.

Answer 5

I did a big party for my son's first and second birthdays, but it's our one really big party of the year. We typically do a barbecue (okay, I live in Florida) and invite both families and friends. People want to share in your joy, and I think that's nice.

If you like you could do the party on the weekend after, and keep your "just the 3 of us" celebration for the actual day.

Another option would be allow your inlaws to do a party, and, if there's tension, then do a special celebration with your family on a different day.

Bottom line is that they all love your child, and all want to celebrate it. It is your decision, though.

Answer 6

For my son's first bday we just had family and friends over. It was a good time for the adults to socialize while we got much needed clothes for my little one. He also got new toys so it was good for everyone. If there is anyone in your family who has children around that age then it's a good time to let him play with other kids. It was just entertaining for everyone to watch them play and open presents. Just have fun with it. The 1st birthday is more for you. It's pictures that you can show him when he is bigger. I really had fun with the mini cake that we got him too. It's a great photo op!

Answer 7

I HAVE THREE CHILDREN AND THE FIRST BIRTHDAY IS HARD TO DEAL WITH. I FOUND IF YOU INVITE ALL THAT ARE CLOSE TO YOU AND YOU HUSBAND. THEN ASK THE IN LAWS AND YOUR PARENTS TO BRING A DISH SUCH AS A DIP OR A SALAD THE SERVE YOUR SONS FAVORITE FOODS SUCH AS HOT DOGS ,PEANUT BUTTER AND JAM , CURLY FRIES. HAVE LOTS OF BALLOONS AND HE WILL ENTERTAIN THE GUEST. THE BEST PART IS YOU HAVE TO GET HIM A SMASH CAKE ITS A SMALL ROUND CAKE FULL OF ICING AND MOST BAKERY'S GIVE THEM FREE. THE SMASH CAKES ARE GREAT FOR YOUR ENJOYMENT ALSO AS HE GETS IT ALL OVER THE GRANDPARENTS. THE BEST ARE THE IN LAWS AS YOU WATCH HIM RUB HIS CAKE FILLED HANDS ON THE MOTHER IN LAW. ALL YOU DO IS TELL THE GRANDPARENTS THE ITS AN OLD TRADITION THAT THE SMASH CAKE WILL GIVE HIM A LONG LIFE FILLED WITH LOVE AND HAPPINESS,BUT THE GRANDPARENTS ARE TO BE SITTING NEXT TO HIM AS HE DIGS IN.
DO NOT SWEET IT AND HAVE A GREAT TIME I AM A MOTHER OF THREE DINT KNOW EVERY THING ABOUT PARENTING BUT I FIND MY BEST WAYS FROM FINDING OUT FROM OTHER GOOD LUCK AND ENJOY

Answer 8

for the youngsters play video games like spin the story on the donkey and whoever wins gets a small prize. get the prizes at a close-by kin greenback or ninety 9 cent shop and get the little plastic toys. you may in all threat have a pool occasion except the pool is merely too deep for the youngsters. enable the 6, 7,and eight 3 hundred and sixty 5 days olds watch a action picture with some popcorn or have them play some board video games and video games. then on the tip pass out goddie bags with candy and a dash game interior it

Answer 9

Heck-just do what we did-have cake, ice cream & presents. You could try putting on some kid's games like pin the tail on the donkey or get a pinata (I know I spelled that wrong) and let the adults play for a change. The child might get a kick out of seeing grown ups do kid things!

Have fun with it!

Answer 10

just have a special breakfast or dinner with the 3 of you, and let mommy in law throw her party. Ask if your family could come too.
Just have food. There's not much you can do for your son, except have a lot of kids for him to play with. Hey, the more, the merrier, and the more presents for him!!