birthday parties

[Rachel]

I'm trying to figure out details for a possible party for Sienna's 1st birthday. How big did or do you plan yours to be? What decorations, food, etc will you be or did you have?

I'm hoping to get a good idea of what is or isn't necessary and how much this might cost.

The obvious must haves:

balloons
cake
baby


Debating on how long, how big and what food in addition to cake. I'd love to be able to give her the kinds of parties I didn't have growing up.

[Ashley]

ok well i spent about 100 on food 150 on decorations and 100 on gifts. fixing to get back to you with more details.

[Rachel]

yes yes more details please

[Ashley]

ok for the theme i did Sesame Babies 1st birthday i ordered all the party supplies from this website as its WAY cheaper than in stores 1st Birthday Party Supplies - Birthday Party Supplies at Discount Prices from Birthday Direct id say there were about 8 kids and 15 adults total? could have been more not really sure.we had the party at a nice park, the weather was perfect. We of course had the main cake, cupcakes, and a smash cake just for Serenity (its free at most places as long as you mention its for a 1st birthday) we did the goodie bags for the kids that showed up (as most of them werent babies) as for food we did our own- we made deli sandwitches (different types) i made a fruit boquet (a huge hit) and veggie trays cake and ice cream so it was like a light lunch. as for the games-obviously 1 year olds arent into any of that so we didnt do games. however took her in on her birthday and had pics done, i used one of the pics and centereted it and had everyone write her a message- for a keepsake for her. i wrote a poem for her. and it hangs in her room now.
as for decorations

streamer
happy birthday banner
forks/ plates/ napkins
goodie bags
stuff to go in the goodie bags
ballons
confetti
first birthday photo memory albulm
first birthday bib
first birthday hat
table cloths
invites
centerpiece


ill go post some pictures now of everything

[Rachel]

I'm going to be experimenting with some recipes and such, so my hopes is to make the cake(s) myself. I know I'd like to get lots of balloons, because everywhere we go that has ballooons... she seems so in awe of them.
I wonder what the cost difference would be between making your own fruit bouquet like you did verse getting one from edible arrangements. I've always wanted to make a watermelon fruit bowl and fruit is always a nice treat during the summer!

I guess the length of time will determine if we're going to offer more or less food. I'd love to have a family bbq, but I don't know if it would be too much for such a big day for us.

I'm going to try to peak around at prices and see what supplies cost from different places... target, grocery store, walmart maybe, party stores and even online. This can certainly add up fast and keeping that price down would certainly be nice

From the list that you posted... I know we'll have lots of balloons and obviously plates, cups, etc. I'm planning on doing evites since I just found a great site that you can design everything and make it super easy - for FREE! they're totally not tacky either - i swear

[Ashley]

edible arrangements are soo much more than making it yourself, and making it yourself you can do the fruits you like, and they are alot fresher- i had back up fruit and didnt fill my bouquet completly because we were actually late for our own party i guess with pictures included we spent around 500 dollars but i didnt mind as it was her first birthday. im already collecting ideas about her 2nd and even have in mind the cake i want

[Rachel]

I'll be sure to take pictures of my experiments in preparation for her birthday hope that counts

I'm going to skip party favors since there will only be a few kids at most.

The debate still is how many, how much and if itll be at our place or my parents

[Ashley]

thats why im glad we were at a park- i couldnt stand everyone over here. it was much easier clean-up at the park.

[Rachel]

I'm sort of leaning towards doing something here because it would mean us not having to travel, not having to transport lots of food or decorations, being in a familiar area for Sienna... plus another selfish reason - the Red Sox are playing the Yankees the Saturday we'd be having the party and I certainly can't miss that. The party has to be over by then

[Rachel]

I'm trying to figure out how far in advance to send out invitations where her birthday is a holiday weekend. The party would be on Saturday or Sunday (5th or 6th) but traffic could still be bad and there are obviously still lots of parties that weekend celebrating the 4th of July. I guess everyone wants to celebrate Sienna's birthday har har

I want to give people plenty of notice so they can plan to be here and don't make other plans before they get the invite - you know?

[Ashley]

perhaps when she turns 11 months?

[Rachel]

I'm just concerned it won't be enough time. I know our parents will be there either way, so that isn't a concern. I suppose you're probably right. Though maybe I'll plan for them to get to people by when she turns 11 months - so mail them at the end of May. Not inviting all kinds of people because I know some won't make it... not going to bother inviting people that I know won't make it (besides my brother and fsil).

[Rachel]

I found pink and green thank you cards (with matching envelopes) at Target - they're close in color to the supplies and invitations. I figure I can always return what doesnt get used

[Rachel]

so we're going to be doing two parties/bbq's - one for Josh's family up here and one for my family at my parents house. There are still a bunch of people (mostly for the one up here) that have not rsvp'd yet. I'll be interested to see how late they rsvp or if they do at all. It's not like it's a hard decision to make - deciding if they'll come or not. I'll be getting food for the number of people that tell me they're coming - I don't think it's right to plan for people to show up who rudely don't rsvp, but they do still have a little over a week to get back to me so we'll see.

[Rachel]

a week until the rsvp deadline is up and there are still a handful of people I haven't heard from... If I don't hear from them - oh well - no food for them if they should decide rudely to show up

[Kasie]

Did people show up that didn't rsvp?

[Rachel]

almost, but no

[Kasie]

Thank God. PPL are stupid about rsvps.

[Rachel]

ya bugs me too

[Ashley]

I think we shall have Serenity's party at the park again this year. Her bday lands on a Saturday this year so that shall be party day.