Need ideas how to celebrate a 1st Birthday on Dec 24

[plusbellelavie]

Our youngest DS will be 1 yr old on 12/24 this year and I need some ideas for traditions we can set up to celebrate and make it a special day for him. I realize this year it is less for him but more for our older kids who are 7 and 9 years old and over the moon in love with him.

This wkend my DH and I talked about taking a trip just the 5 of us to celebrate his Birthday and Christmas together so that the kids could say on your 1st Birthday we went to such and such place for the 1st time! I have to say I like this idea but not the idea of traveling during the holiday period with 3 kids so it is on the backburner. (However this may be our last Xmas in France since we may be transferred back to the US this summer...)

Plus this could work this year but not necessarily possible every year so I would love to get some yearly traditions started as well.

We already plan to have a 1/2 Birthday celebration for him in June but still want to make his actual Birthday special. The 2 older kids will write a letter to the baby telling him why he is special to them (I had them do this last year right before he was born so I thought I would keep this up every birthday for him from them.)

I would love ideas for traditions that focus on the kids and their relationship but also ideas for just for him and his special day!

MERCI!

[kayte]

My sister's twins (now 6) were born on 12/24. They have a nice breakfast with family every year on the day and each get one gift (and give each other one). But the party and the regular festivities are in the middle of January every year (this was particularly helpful when they entered school and wanted classmates at their party)

[niccig]

DS's birthday is 12/25.
Thankfully both families open family presents on the 24th. On the 25th, we have Santa presents, around 11am we have birthday cake and birthday presents for DS, and then Christmas Dinner around 2pm. It's a busy day.

We have a half birthday party in June with all his friends. DS is 5 and so far, no complaints about a Christmas Birthday - but then he isn't missing out. Some people give him a present on the half birthday and again on his real birthday. So far, all family have not given combined birthday and Christmas presents, and the birthday presents have been wrapped in birthday paper.

[tiapam]

I wanted DS to "know" it was a special day so I bought balloons the day before (he was not with me) and DH, DD and I marched into his room in the morning with the balloons. I also had DD make a sign to go out front for party guests to see.

This year, whether you go on the trip or not, can you do something fun like a sleigh ride, ice skating, sledding? I know he is young for it now but would be able to enjoy it more and more as he gets older.

Also, since your older kids are old enough to read to the baby, I would probably include a book in the bday presents.

[Seitvonzu]

we talked about this alot last year...our daughter was born 12/23/07-- her due date was the middle of january, so this was something we didn't think about ahead- and we are SERIOUS planners! people were quite willing to dispense advice about this so we got lots of ideas. the one we really like is the "half" birthday "un-birthday" (a la alice in wonderland)-- that way the celebration is distinct and the child isn't "cheated" out of parties, etc. this of course won't be necessary until lu is old enough to get it... so i think we have a couple years.

last year we did have a BIG 1st birthday party. i told everyone that we were doing that ONE TIME and it was important to me to have it as close as possible to lu's birthday- so i think the party was on the 20th or 21st ? it worked out okay because most of lu's little friends were around (local families) and all her grandparents were able to travel to be here. instead of christmas decorations we had PARTY decorations this year. we did have a tree- but i glittered a ton of flowers and butterflies so the tree would fit in with the "lucy in one-derland" theme i chose for her party. it turned out so lovely that even my husband said "we should do this every year" (it was pretty easy for him, since i did everything

whatever you decide, it sounds like you will make your child's day special. that's all that really matters! good luck!

[geochick]

If my kid had that bday, I'd give him/her 2 birthdays...12/24 and 6/24 (for a half birthday). For the half birthday in June, serve a half a cake.

My friend does this, and always makes it a surprise (kids don't usually remember their half birthday) - with lots of friends and family and a toned down party. It's fun.

[plusbellelavie]

Thank you so much for the wonderful ideas!! We will definately do the 1/2 Birthday in June which will work out well since the two older DC have Birthdays in May and August so everyone will be happy.

I love the ideas of the ballons and the party decorations and party gifts basically keeping the birthday and Christmas separate... it was a good reminder for me because I guess I have been thinking more Christmas/Birthday together!

Seitvonzu your "tree- but i glittered a ton of flowers and butterflies so the tree would fit in with the "lucy in one-derland" theme i chose for her party" sounds absolutely gorgeous!

Any ideas on how to make it a boyish "Hudson in one-derland" party after reading your post I thought I could have the DC put glitter on pinecones to decorate but that would be too Christmasy...I will have to try and get the creative juice flowing not that there is much there to start with

We will incorporate the family breakfast/celebration on the 24th..that will be a nice tradition for the kids and something they can do for many years.

And the idea of taking them ice skating is lovely and doable even here in Paris because of an ice rink they open in winter outside City Hall and what is even better it will be the "1st time" our two older DC!

So MERCI again! I can't wait to share the ideas with older DC!