Our first son is born in summer so we had a catered lunch at a local park. There were quite a few people there but not that expensive due to being at the park. Our second is turning one next month, in winter. As I am also pregnant, I can’t be bothered entertaining at home and running around after people all day so we have decided to have it at a toddler’s playcentre. All catered food, they organise decorations, clean up etc so very low maintenance for me

Dont worry you can wait until there third birthday for a cake

We didn’t bother at all with a party the first years. The child doesn’t know and doesn’t benefit from it, it’s actually more for the parents family & friends.

close family with a small party in the park

We had a big gathering for number one and a small one for number two.

It was just a small party with close family.

Personally I have yet to meet an adult that can remember their own 1st birthday party. Elaborate, huge and expensive parties in my eyes are for the parents benefit in my eyes. Loved ones, favourite food and treats the birthday child likes and of course a birthday cake will see one happy tot.

I have my baby’s first coming up. I want to stay small, hubby wants big

I didn’t go overboard. Since my family was spread out. I picked a central location so we all had to travel and went to a club and we all had lunch out. It was lovely. I just brought a cake and we got to see alot of family and friends that might not have made it if we just had it where we lived. This is just my personal opinion but think of who you are having the party for because at the end of the day they are not even going to know it happened. Make it big when they actually will remember say around 5 have a big one then. The photo I have added is from his first birthday and I treasure that photo.

We did 2 parties. First one, small, at home with family and friends that lived near us. The second was at my mum’s with family and friends that were too far away to travel. Just a bbq

We hired a hall and invited all family and friends. 1st birthday always a big one.

With both of my kids we’ve gone big. I’d have loved to do something small the second time round as the star of the show simply doesn’t know what’s happening to me, throwing big bashes seems like a waste of money.

Only small with family inlaws which also had young children because they are still so tiny and had no idea what was going on and who was celebrating who. Still had no little friends yet as they hadn’t started preschool and we enjoy simple with less mess as possible,

We invited heaps of family and friends, and went overboard with the food. We didn’t end up having another birthday party until she turned 5! If we are ever celebrating a first birthday again, it will be a much more simple gathering with close family and a few friends.

Our first birthdays were just family affairs. Grandparents, aunties, uncles, cousins and us. Nothing elaborate, save that for their 18th and 21st :/

My son would get overwhelmed in crowds so we had 3 small gatherings – one on his birthday with a few mum friends at a cafe with cupcakes and hot drinks for mums; one with my in-laws the weekend prior (they were heading overseas) and one with my parents and brother and two others on the weekend after his birthday.

Doesn’t need to be fancy as they don’t remember and can’t eat much of what is on offer!

Small and no need to go for big presents either ! A one year old child has no clue about birthdays yet. The party is more for the adult then themselves

A gathering with the family at home. We saved the bigger parties for now that they’re older.

We invited a lot of people to our eldests first birthday and it was just too much and overwhelming for her so we went small with our other two kids first birthdays and it was very enjoyable.

We took lots of pictures to remember the day and for the future.