Help me plan dd's 1st birthday? (long)

[crl]

I am not even going to try to keep up with the infamous owl or fairy parties. Dd turns 1 this spring. :love-retry: And after some thought, I'd like to something fairly casual at home. I will invite the neighborhood and some friends. Most likely we will have about 20-35 guests with about 10 of those being kids from newborn to age 12.

Assuming her nap schedule doesn't change in the next two months, I think lunchtime would work out best. That means I have to serve lunch. What do you think of this for a menu: chicken salad on mini buns, peanut butter and jelly triangles (no nut allergies amongst our guests), hummus roll ups, fresh fruit, and vegetable tray; lemonade and water; and cupcakes for desert. I am shooting for light lunch and not too messy as we have carpet in our open living room/dining room. Does that sound good? Like enough variety?

We have a million plain plates so I plan to use those with clear disposable plastic cups and paper napkins. No need for silverware with my menu, right?

For theme/decorations, I'm honestly thinking just some nice fresh flowers. And no real theme. Older ds has requested the same cupcakes we had for his birthday. I found a bakery that makes them dairy free and they were delicious and pretty. We had mini cupcakes so I thought I would get those again. Any ideas how to display them?

For entertainment, I thought I could provide bubbles and sidewalk chalk. We have a small patio and front porch area and the party can spill out into those areas. I also thought I would play some low key background music--suggestions?

For favors, I thought I would try kool aid dying some playsilks? Is it okay to assume that if you are too old to want a playsilk, you are too old to expect a favor at a 1 year old's party?

What do you think? What am I forgetting?

Thanks!
Catherine

[SnuggleBuggles]

I think your plan sounds great!

We did a cupcake theme for ds2's b-day and made of those giant Wilton cupcakes. http://www.1stwishes.com/Boys-Lil-Cupcake-1st-Birthday-9-Dinner-Plate/46674/ProductDetail.aspx

We decorated the cake table with the giant cupcake then smaller cupcakes (some in those Wilton silicon feet stands), balloons and gifts. It was really cute.

I think your menu sounds good. For our last party we bought a ham at Costco and provided rolls if people wanted to make sandwiches out of it. The ham made for great leftovers as there is so much to do with a ham (quiches, soup, sandwiches...).

A cute shirt for dd and don't forget to decorate the high chair (if she'll be in one) for the cake eating pictures!. I worked hard to get the cake eating area set up so the pics would be pretty.

Beth

[crl]

Excellent point about the pictures in the highchair! Thanks for the tip!

I'm thinking maybe a dress and pants from etsy?

Oh, and invitations. I probably should get on those. Suggestions?

Catherine

[SnuggleBuggles]

We sent a Shutterfly photocard invite. I put on cute pictures (or maybe just one picture??) from that year. I also had some collages made on Shutterfly of his 1st year and hung those up for guests to see how he changed. :)

Beth

[maestramommy]

Your party sounds great! Just keep in mind that a 1st party is really for the parents, so plan something that YOU would enjoy, even with 10 kids. Keep things simple so that you and Dh can actually enjoy some of the day.

[crl]

Your party sounds great! Just keep in mind that a 1st party is really for the parents, so plan something that YOU would enjoy, even with 10 kids. Keep things simple so that you and Dh can actually enjoy some of the day.

Definitely trying to keep the menu simple. I would buy the fruit and veggie platters as well as the cupcakes and drinks. So I would need to make the sandwiches and arrange the cupcakes somehow for display. I think that is fairly manageable for this size party. Hmm, I wonder if I can find lemonade in small bottles. Maybe I could do water and lemonade that way and skip the cups and the need to pour for the kids.

I think this one would be as much for older ds as for us, he is really into a party for his little sister. I'd say, isn't that sweet, except I think he sees it as just an extra shot at a party. :bouncy:

Thanks!
Catherine

[MamaMolly]

What about a tiered dessert plate thingy for the cupcakes. :bag I have 2 so maybe I'm assuming everyone has one? One is plastic (from a grocery store no less!) and the other one is Oneida and is collapseable. Hmmm now that I think about it, I think I bought it because someone on the BBB mentioned a HUGE sale on the Oneida website. It was something crazy like under $10. Silver plate! THe trouble you guys get me into!

You can always use your own plates and platters, stack them on top of upside down drinking glasses to make your own trays at different heights.

http://iheartcuppycakes.com/2010/05/07/diy-tiered-cupcake-stands/

[MamaMolly]

Hmm, I wonder if I can find lemonade in small bottles. Maybe I could do water and lemonade that way and skip the cups and the need to pour for the kids.

What about lemonade in juice boxes? I don't usually like juice boxes because of the trash they create, but I love them for parties. The only thing is if you have really little kids they might squash them and spill. How do you feel about juice box holders as a favor? :loveeyes:

[crl]

What about lemonade in juice boxes? I don't usually like juice boxes because of the trash they create, but I love them for parties. The only thing is if you have really little kids they might squash them and spill. How do you feel about juice box holders as a favor? :loveeyes:

I thought about juice boxes, but then I think the adults won't drink them. Leaving only water for the adults. . . . .

Love the tiered idea for the cupcakes. We live near some Chinese restaurant supply/household goods stores so maybe I can find something there. I only have a cake stand which won't hold nearly enough.

Thanks!
Catherine

[crl]

What do you all think of this outfit from Etsy?

http://www.etsy.com/listing/61939822/sophia-ruffle-capris?ref=v1_other_2

I'd have to ask her to do it in a different color though, blue I think, as dd is blonde with blue eyes and the yellow is too pale for her. (And I'm not a huge pink fan.)

Catherine

[Melbel]

Your menu sounds great! DD2 is also very blonde and this outfit looked cute on her for her 2nd birthday: http://www.etsy.com/listing/48248229/custom-made-birthday-lounge-set-with

The top is pink, along with the cupcake and age, but it is paired with blue/green floral pants so that it is not overly pink.

[crl]

Your menu sounds great! DD2 is also very blonde and this outfit looked cute on her for her 2nd birthday: http://www.etsy.com/listing/48248229/custom-made-birthday-lounge-set-with

The top is pink, along with the cupcake and age, but it is paired with blue/green floral pants so that it is not overly pink.

Oh, cute!

Catherine

[hwin708]

I think it sounds lovely!

The only thing that would concern me is the potential lack of things for the kids to do. Bubble and chalk can only keep a kid occupied for so long long. It really depends a lot on your age breakdowns, too. For example, the 12 year olds will not be into the chalk. And are just as capable of wreaking havoc if bored.

As for the playsilks - very cute! BUT I don't agree that "if you're too old to like playsilks, you're too old to expect a favor." A 9 yr old may not like a playsilk, but they're still at the party favors age, and they would be expecting one. Not that I'd be losing any sleep over them not getting what they expect. I'm just saying, I wouldn't bank on kids to apply so much logic to this situation.

[crl]

Thanks!

On the entertainment front, I'm expecting the party to last about an hour and a half. So between eating lunch, singing happy birthday and eating cupcakes, I don't think there is a lot of time to get too bored. When I have planned party games for older ds' parties in the past, they never happen because the kids are too busy running around having their own fun. :D. Do you have suggestions?

What would you suggest for favors? My 7 year old ds still likes our playsilks, so I thought all but the two oldest girls still would too. I figured they could take one and let younger siblings have them if they didn't want them. I am leery of doing more than one thing for favors because I think then I need enough for all the kids to have either (or maybe even one of each?). Is there something that would work better for all ages?

Catherine

[citymama]

I haven't read any of the replies, just your original post. I think for a first birthday, the party is mostly for the parents so good snacks and cake are key! For the kids, I wouldn't even worry with the playsilks. For DD1s first birthday we got all the kids bubbles and little sidewalk chalk containers to play with at the party and then take home. We did it at a neighborhood playground, and we had a bunch of $1 sand toys from Target for the little ones to play with in the sand box.

You're starting early - and that reminds me that DD1 turns 5 in a month and I haven't even begun to think about that party! Bad mommy. No blogs will be written by me about my party planning, that's for sure.

[crl]

No blogs here either! In fact I think I'd better start cleaning house now if I want to hold a party here in April.

Maybe I should skip the party favor all together? It will be a no present party and no presents, no favors are common in my neighborhood. I admit I have been wanting to try dying playsilks and this seemed like a good excuse. . . . .

Catherine

[MamaMolly]

I love both those outfits! I think it is fine if you don't want to do favors. If it is uncommon in your area I'd consider myself LUCKY!

[goldenpig]

I am not even going to try to keep up with the infamous owl or fairy parties. Dd turns 1 this spring. :love-retry: And after some thought, I'd like to something fairly casual at home. I will invite the neighborhood and some friends. Most likely we will have about 20-35 guests with about 10 of those being kids from newborn to age 12.

Assuming her nap schedule doesn't change in the next two months, I think lunchtime would work out best. That means I have to serve lunch. What do you think of this for a menu: chicken salad on mini buns, peanut butter and jelly triangles (no nut allergies amongst our guests), hummus roll ups, fresh fruit, and vegetable tray; lemonade and water; and cupcakes for desert. I am shooting for light lunch and not too messy as we have carpet in our open living room/dining room. Does that sound good? Like enough variety?

We have a million plain plates so I plan to use those with clear disposable plastic cups and paper napkins. No need for silverware with my menu, right?

For theme/decorations, I'm honestly thinking just some nice fresh flowers. And no real theme. Older ds has requested the same cupcakes we had for his birthday. I found a bakery that makes them dairy free and they were delicious and pretty. We had mini cupcakes so I thought I would get those again. Any ideas how to display them?

For entertainment, I thought I could provide bubbles and sidewalk chalk. We have a small patio and front porch area and the party can spill out into those areas. I also thought I would play some low key background music--suggestions?

For favors, I thought I would try kool aid dying some playsilks? Is it okay to assume that if you are too old to want a playsilk, you are too old to expect a favor at a 1 year old's party?

What do you think? What am I forgetting?

Thanks!
Catherine

This sounds kind of similar to what we're planning for DS's 1st birthday--I totally went overboard with DD's 3rd birthday safari/jungle party so we're going to have a smaller party at home. I'll be watching this thread because I don't have any plans yet.

Any more ideas for favors for the infant set and 3 year old set?
Catherine, which bakery are you using that does dairy-free cupcakes? DS is dairy allergic so I need those!

In addition to the bubbles and chalk, how about a colorful parachute so the kids can play as a group?
http://www.amazon.com/Pacific-Play-Tents-Playchute-Parachute/dp/B00000IURU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1297234635&sr=8-1

I just ordered invitations from Tinyprints (I usually do Evite but since this is his first bday so I thought I'd splurge) and they came out so cute! I used pictures from each month.

[crl]

Dairy free cup cakes from cups and cakes in SoMA. It is hard to find on their website as the "special diet" information is a link on their pricing page :shrug: We had dairy free but they can accommodate other food restrictions too. (I should note that ds' food allergies are very mild so I did not quiz them on cross-contamination issues.)

http://www.cupsandcakesbakery.com/CCB/Diet_Info.html

We had their mini cupcakes for ds' birthday and they were delicious and cute! They also deliver for $15, which I think I may take advantage of this time.

If you google so something like dairy free cupcakes San Francisco you will get some yelp reviews for cups and cakes as well as some other places in the city. We tried these because I had a deal. ;)

For favors for infants up to age three (or even a bit older), I love gertie balls.

Catherine

[crl]

Fabulous invite--such cute pictures of such a cute baby!

I have just about decided to do a single fold over photo card from Shutterfly and handwrite the invite on the inside. I'm already being a little obsessive about the dress (poor Etsy seller--I promise it won't be 80 messages though), I don't think I should add a custom card to the mix.

Catherine

[crl]

What do you all think of this outfit from Etsy?

http://www.etsy.com/listing/61939822/sophia-ruffle-capris?ref=v1_other_2

I'd have to ask her to do it in a different color though, blue I think, as dd is blonde with blue eyes and the yellow is too pale for her. (And I'm not a huge pink fan.)

Catherine


Yay, she is making this in custom colors for me. :love-retry: She made 5 or 6 different mock ups for me and I finally settled on predominately blue and green fabrics with one pink ruffle. Can't wait to have it made and see it!

Catherinr

[MamaMolly]

Oh, that will be so sweet! And have you ever looked at Naartjie clothes? Your outfit reminded me of a lot of their stuff. I bought some from mamas on the Swap and they are favorites for Lula (and me! So cute!) I love the dresses with matching ruffled leggings. So feminine and still fun to play in.
http://www.naartjiekids.com/category/newborn/collection/spring-two-girls-sale

[crl]

Oh, that will be so sweet! And have you ever looked at Naartjie clothes? Your outfit reminded me of a lot of their stuff. I bought some from mamas on the Swap and they are favorites for Lula (and me! So cute!) I love the dresses with matching ruffled leggings. So feminine and still fun to play in.
http://www.naartjiekids.com/category/newborn/collection/spring-two-girls-sale

Love naartjie! Dd's Christmas day outfit was Naartjie. :loveeyes:

Catherine