10/10/11
Jack’s birthday is about 6 weeks away and I have to say that I’m a bit perplexed about the whole thing.
I’ve read a few places that the first birthday party is more for the parents benefit than the child’s, and I get that. Jack won’t know the party is for him, he won’t remember it and he won’t be playing any party games.
This is for me.
But I want it to be enjoyable for him.
I also want it to be enjoyable for my guests. And since my guests range in age from 3 months to 50 something, I’m not sure how to do that?
I’ve been to kid parties and no offense to any of my friends who have thrown these wonderful events but they just aren’t much fun. Not for me or for Jack at this time.
Pre-Jack I would grab a glass of wine, a plate of food and plop myself somewhere with a good, but not too close, view of the birthday kid opening presents. I love seeing if kids like what I got them.
Now with Jack I spend most of the event following him around, making sure he doesn’t get into trouble in a strange new environment. He’s too young for the typical party fare: clowns, magicians etc. And unless you are lucky (which thankfully I have been) there is nowhere for me to put Jack. No exersaucer, no pack n play, no high chair.
So in order for Jack to stay out of trouble I have to keep all 20lbs of him attached to my hip. Back breaking good times. How am I supposed to hold my wine? (lol, jk).
So how do I improve on these experiences?
How do I make the party fun for everyone (the kids, the babies, the singles, the friends without kids, the friends with kids, the grandparents)?
Or is trying to make the party fun just not worth it? I tend to think clowns and magicians are lame, but that’s just me.
Do I just say the hell with it? There is a bar, there is cake and free food. Make your own fun. I always have.
And lastly must we open gifts? Is it acceptable to say that my 1 year old won’t sit still through gifts and while we appreciate the gifts we prefer to open them at home without 40 watching eyes?
Thoughts, opinions and suggestions are appreciated. After all some of you may be getting an invite in the mail and you don’t want to go to a lame party, now, do you?
I’m linking up with Miss Elaine-ous Monday.
First of all, No, you do not have to open gifts at the party. When one of my sons turned 3 it was all just too much and we told the guests we would not be opening gifts until after the party. Everyone was cool with it and it was SO much less chaotic when we had him open them later, with just us around.
I had an "open house" when my daughter turned one. On the invitation I told them what time we would be cutting the cake. We did have a pinata for the older kids and we did help her open gifts at that party and it was fun. I had party snacks and cupcakes, it was very simple yet fun.
Just a few things I know we've done in the past….
Thanks for linking up! Nice to "meet" you! 🙂
For my kids (who are 3 1/2, 2 1/2, and 1), I usually throw a really casual party since there is such a giant age range coming. My kids are little, my friends' kids' are 8 and 5, and the rest of the people who come are teens or adults.
I set up an area where the kids can play and be relatively safe so I don't have to keep an eye on them every second, and we ask the older kids to keep an eye on the little ones. The adults usually sit and drink and eat appetizers. We give the kids a plate of cheese and crackers to share.
For food, we usually order a deli sandwich platter and make a baked ziti and a salad so there's something everyone likes. Then the cake-I make cake pops or cupcakes for the kids as well as a regular cake geared more for adults.
Honestly, the kids always occupy themselves with toys and movies and balloons for most of the party. I've never done anything like a magician yet. And we give them a goody bag with bouncy balls and stuff during the party instead of at the end if they need something else to play with.
And we don't always open presents at the party. My oldest son usually opens everything for everyone anyway, and there have been times where it took 3 days for all the presents to be opened.
I hope you have a fun party!
Elaine, I love your blog. Also I love the idea for an open house birthday party. Definitely something I'm going to consider.
Allison, Thank you for all the great ideas!