1st birthdays??

I will be doing one in December, but a friend who's son turned 1 in April had a party.  I booked our rugby clubrooms.  She did finger food, nibbles and drinks and of course cake - it was at 2.30pm until 4.30pm.  They had family and a few friends.  Because there were a few older children they had a treasure hunt, the kids watched Jack open the presents and just ran around and had a great time.  Also lots of photo taking!!!

Busymum: [My SIL is about to have her DD's first birthday this weekend, she has sent out invites to people "please come to etc etc" then 11.00 is marked "family", 12.00 "babies", 1.00 "friends"... our invite is highlighted for the 11 and 12 slots. She's done this cause she enjoys a party but that way they don't have too many people at once - and it satisfies all the family politics [/QUOTE]

That is such a great idea.  Ummm something for me to consider - especially when we have family politics too with my DH's father and mother (who have been seperated for 25 years!!!)

Edited by Lissy

We had a small (had to be small due to the size of our lounge!!!) morning tea for Ashlee's birthday and had some of her little friends around. We went all out for the joint antenatal party that was organised so didn't want to do too much more.

Ashlee decided that she'd rather go down for a nap rather than open presents in the middle of her morning tea. The next day, we had a small afternoon tea for the family. I'm quite pleased we didn't go any bigger than that! I'd love to go all out for something for her when she's older and understands and appreciates it more.

For my first birthday I had a huge party but it was also my parents wedding reception as well (a year later). I had all the extended family there (all up about 100 people) I got presents from most people there as it was mostly about me.

For Andrew we had a BBQ lunch with all the family (that bothered to come - my sister came over from London, BIL came down from Hamilton but the BIL from Palmy never made it not that I was too worried can't stand him) and Andrew's friend from birth (Holly is 3 weeks younger than Andrew). It was more about us making it through the first year. We also had a small daycare party where we took in a cake and had cake with the other children there (have now done this for 3 years) it was a lot of fun.

ask roksana! she had an AWESOME party for Zaara.

For Jake we were still in Japan so had a combined farewell party and happy birthday for Jake. I made all the food and we had about 20-30 guests, iuncluding my japanese teacher and her little girl. we would have invited Jake's daycare but having parties is kinda strange in Japan and the message didn't wuite get across. the actual day of is birthday we went to the temple (the see no evil etc monkey temple), and bought a blessing for him. not that i'm buddhist but seemed appropriate at the time.

For Kiya's first birthday (late March) I organised a teddy-bear's picnic. We had watermelon, cake and water at a playground and the kids just played! Very low key, and lots of fun.

For Josiah's first birthday (early May) we met up with Nat's parents in Taupo. We had a picnic at the park, then went to the AC Baths for a swim. Josiah loves the bath, so we took him to a big one! We tried to organise it for a weekend when my family and Nat's brother and family could come too, but it didn't work out in the end (other commitments, and my brother broke his toe a day or two before so couldn't swim).

Not sure what we'll do for Xavier's first birthday (mid November) yet... especially as we'll be living in Wellington and our families are in the BOP, and we'll be heading up there at Christmas. In another couple of months he'll start really showing what he's into, so we'll probably base it around that.