First Birthday Parties

[lauren9317]

I know this doesn't have to do with having twins specifically, but I wanted to hear about the 1st birthday party you had for your twins. Where was it, did you cook the food yourself or have it catered and how much do you think the whole affair cost, if you don't mind sharing? Mine will turn 1 in December and I would like to have their party at the golf and CC that we belong to. I just started emailing with the event person about it. I told her the main thing is that I don't know if we can really afford to have the party there so it will depend on their pricing. I know it must be cheaper to do it at my house and cook but I just can't fathom doing all that. I know a lot (most?) people do though. The party might have 40ish people including other babies depending on if dads come or not.

Also... what time did your party start? I would like to start ours at 4 pm because that works well with naps. I know I'd have to basically serve dinner for that time period.

Thanks for anything you want to share!

[Deleted]

My twins are only 5 months but I'll talk about my su get on first birthday.

We had it at 2. He napped from 12 to 2 ish that day. We had planned to have it at our home and grill (end of may baby) but about a week before the party a ton of out of town family member started calling to say they were coming (so rude, but I digress). So the increase in guests and the bad weather forecast had us quickly changing our plans. We got everything catered. I'm so glad we did!!!! It was still a ton of work even with catered food.

We will plan a similar party for the girls. I still made decorations, a salad, some dips and apps, baked a smash cake (my kids all have food allergies), and set everything up. So all of that took time. Cooking for the 25 people we had would have been too much!!

[fryjack2]

Ours almost didn't happen because the city was on lock down (marathon bomber on the loose) but we managed to have it afterall.

We had a mustache bash at our house because we have a large open loft apartment and it was easier than getting the boys somewhere and lugging gifts around. We had a lot of people but it was fine.

We had a serve yourself type set up with wraps and rolls, chicken salad, pasta salad, curried tuna salad, cold cuts, cheese slices, hummus,chips, veggies. All of that was from a local Whole Foods type store. I ended up making funfetti cupcakes and had ice cream for dessert. For the babies I had pouches, puffs, MMM MMMs, string cheese and cut up fruit.

Party time was 11-2. It was after most kids' am nap and before their afternoon one.

I put together a slideshow of pics from the year of their life and had it playing on the TV.

[Deleted]

fryjack2 I didn't realize you live in MA too!

[lauren9317]

Cool, those sound fun. I am thinking instead of 4, our party could be at 3. Because most parties seem to go for about 3 hours so I would rather the party end at 6 than 7. Too close to all the kids' bedtimes.

How soon before the party did you send invites?

Oh and another question- did you open gifts at the party? I don't want to do that at all and don't plan to, but I think some people actually think it's rude if you don't? I have never agreed with that. As long as thank you notes get sent, I don't see why gifts can't be opened after the party.

[cinnamoncox]

Mine are four but their first bday party was here at the house. Their bday is 7/5 and I almost had it in the yard, but then I was afraid it would rain or be wicked hot, and I would still have to clean the house for people using bathroom, etc.

So we had it inside in the ac.

We did after nap. They woke up to a party, but handled it pretty well.

Clean up wasn't too bad, my mom and mil helped, plus my house isn't that big.

Cost wise it still is. $$ because of food and paper products and drinks and decorations and goody bags etc, so it's not really cheaper to have it at home, I just felt like it was easier on the kids to be in their own house.

fryjack2 and @awinter

I'm in Ma too!

[Deleted]

Aug 30, 2014 8:14:45 GMT -5 cinnamoncox said:

.

fryjack2 and @awinter

I'm in Ma too!

We should plan a MoM gtg!

[marissa]

Mine will be 9 in a few weeks. Their first birthday was at home with just relatives. We did grandparents and aunts and uncles. No theme, simple cake and foods. I wasn't stressing over a party for them to not understand what was going on. We get a bit more in to it now. Simple foods, snacks only and a cake I make. They pick a theme but I don't go all Pinterest on it and goody bags.