For my elder daughter's first birthday, I went all out. The theme was "Childhood Favorites." Decorations and activities centered around classic toys and games, like Crayola crayons, Play Doh and a Viewmaster (thanks to eBay). I made an elaborate cake that imitated the CandyLand board game (The cake took me 8 hours to decorate... and I spelled "Birthday" wrong. Really nice for someone who spent 6 years as an editor for a major magazine.). The food included plenty of standard childhood fare, like "Jello Jigglers," "Cafeteria Mac N Cheese," and "Pigs in Blankets." I composed a poem for the invitation, and invited the usual suspects: family, Godparents, and very close friends (which made the guest list about 40 people).
It was a pretty elaborate affair for a new mom trying to get a handle on parenting, but when I throw a party, I like to do it right.
I was pretty astounded to realize that my younger daughter's first birthday is less than two months away. Unfortunately, her birthday falls right around Thanksgiving (she'll always hate me for that, I'm sure). I suggested to Hubby that we simply combine Thanksgiving and a birthday party for ease and simplicity. But there were a few problems with that, mostly being that the guests at Thanksgiving are only half the birthday party guest list.
I also considered just having very small, very intimate party of just grandparents. But even if it was a small party, I really have to invite my brother and his wife. Which means I have to invite Hubby's siblings. And if I invite his siblings, I probably should invite his grandparents, aunt and cousin. Which means I really should include the Godparents. You know how it goes... Before I know it, the guest list is 40 people again.
Besides, I feel guilty having a small party for my second child's birthday. I threw a pretty big shindig for my elder child's first birthday. I feel like I have to do the same for my younger kid (especially since I know she'll spend most of her life feeling as if her older sister always gets the good stuff first).
So here I am, going into full-on planning mode for my baby's first birthday, and there are plenty of other stressors happening in my life right now.
Anyone have a good idea for a first birthday party theme?
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2 comments:
We had a big shin-dig for both kids' first birthdays...not elaborate, just big fun. Isaac's first was a picnic with grandparents, aunts and uncles, neighbors, etc and fun summertime games. He's had a bunch of Hot Wheels and John Deere themed parties since, but the theming stops at the cake and table setting.
For Mara's first birthday (in dead of winter), we used my mom's basement and strung a clothesline across the room and hung up all the important stuff from her first year. Her coming home outfit. Her first pair of shoes. A special gift from a neighbor. Newborn pictures. Booties. STuff like that. It was SO sweet!
Sniff.
Kind of makes me sad there won't be anymore first bdays.
For my oldest child's first birthday I went all out with streamers, balloons, food, a cake and an extensive guest list.
For my second daughters first birthday we opened presents after having spaghetti and cupcakes.
For my son's first birthday we had a cake at Thanksgiving.
I realized that a)I don't remember my own first birthday party so the party really isn't something my kids are going to remember or get upset about and b)I've got way too many other things to feel mommy guilty about and I just refuse to feel guilty about cake and presents.
Now 6th birthday's, those took some doing.....
If you do feel the extreme need to do a first birthday I find Teddy Bears/Teddy Bear picnic to be a pretty easy one. :)
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