Do you think 1st birthday parties are a waste of money?

I think a celebration is good. But not the overly type where they hire all caterers and everything. Even going to a venue and with a program. A simple get together with the family will suffice. I don't really think parties are a must for birthdays specially with kids because they won't be able to remember it anyways. It's more for the adult. I think it's a waste of money to go to full lengths of reserving a huge hall or doing the receptions in venues. I think it's best if they just cook food or share a little something for the whole family. That's it. We do our parties that way. We just stay here at home and have the parties here. The parties are usually my Dad's birthday. All the rest, we just go to a fancy restaurant and all of us eat there (primary family). =)

i don't know why you are equating party enjoyment with money. For the child's father, he will become very glad and he says that "he is my future hero"

Well my daughter first birthday was easy but after that it got expensive because some of the places we had it at. I decided it just cost too much.So now she just has one or two friends over for pizza and cake and watches movies.

My daughters first birthday celebration was on a grand scale. I personally dont consider it as a waste of money. Such get togethers are very rare occasions where you meet your near and dear ones. I was initially reluctant whether my daughter would enjoy her day because that day she did not have enough sleep too (plenty of guests at home). but Thanks to Lord, she had a blast. Was happy to see the baloons around and lots of kids too attracted her attention. The day is memorable for me.

It's deffinitley for the parents and family. I mean the child doesn't really know what's going on, and a lot of times they tend to get very cranky towards the end if there are a lot of people there in his/her face. But there again, it's a time for the friends and family to get together. For my daughters birthday, I plan on have just a few people over and keeping it more on the quiet side so we don't overwhelm her.

i think it is a waste of money because for me i do not have any kids yet. well maybe when i grow old enough and have kids on my own, i might know and experience the feelings of having a kids and i'm sure as a parent you will always treasure your kids. give them the best things you could but not to spoil them on the things that would affect them so bad. to be a parent when you want to do party for your kids, i think it is not a waste of money at all because it is what you want.

With both my kids we invited family only. Some people go so overboard and it's just too overwhelming for the child. If you live in an area where it's cold in November, you won't even be able to have any of the festivities outside. So if you're confined to the house, I would say just invite the grandparents. Good luck!

I think people can go overboard with any birthday, not just the 1st one. However, the first birthday is a special one because your kids only turn 1 once. So I think it's only normal to want to do a lot of things. I think the 1st birthday can be really special without breaking the bank and doing a lot of outrageous things. It just depends on the child and what you really want to do for their birthday.

I do agree that sometimes we can go overboard on our children's first birthday but feel that it is a good time for family and friends to get together . Even though it is the child's first birthday and they may be too young to understand yet , it shows them that family and friends are important in our life and are their to celebrate special times with us which I believe is very important . Mnay little one's do cry though as their are so many people around and they are not sure what to make of things but it is still a day to celebrate for them and yes proabably more for the parents as it is often hard to realize your baby is growing up and the first year always seem to be such an accomplishment where you look at your child and wonder how the year went by so fast .

I think a child's first birthday is just a way for the family to come together. My cousin just threw his son a 1st birthday and we had a blast. His child did too based on his reactions to all the attention he was receiving. The party was definitely more for the adults though. My cousin purchased a keg, grilled a ton of hotdogs, hamburgers, etc. and his wife made almost any kind of appetizer you thought of. I guess it all really depends on how family oriented you are. Most people that are close with their family will find any occasion to have a big party!! :)

Use your judgement, laurla. How does your daughter react when she's in a crowd? Does she like to show off? Does she seem to get along with other people in the family? Those are the big questions you need to ask yourself. My children's first birthday were pretty small. We just invited the grandparents and their aunts and uncles. It is a lot of people if the little one isn't used to seeing them all there. If you feel like it is too much, but want to include family, try dividing it into different times. Maybe your side can have the party One weekend, and the other side can do it the following. If you want to serve dinner, I'd suggest making it potluck. Then you can supply the cake/ice cream. A whole lot more affordable! Hope this helps!!

I think that it's not a waste of money but it should not be oriented like the 14th,16th birthday parties. This is a great opportunitie to get together with family and have a great time. Besides the cherishing that you have a healthy nice little child who has a long life ahead.

for me,. just do it in a simple way, but make sure it will be an unforgettable moment for your baby and for the whole family also. I think that's the way of the parents for showing their happiness for their baby.And it is really good to have a great 1st baby birthday party because it's first... hehe.. ^_^

I think sometimes it is. I was at a first birthday party for twins. The party was more for the parents than the kids by a long shot. Maybe that's the good way. The kids don't really know what is going on at one anyways! It's good to have people over and good times though!

For me first birthday party that parents give to thier baby is a waste of money. Well maybe it depends on how much budget to will spend. For me this is a very especial moment to celebrate and be captured by a camera so that when your baby gets old you can show them that you're present and that you are there when he/she celebrate his/her birthday very first birthday here on earth. It doesn't really matter if you don't spend much. A birthday celebration with some important people in your babies life is enough.

I honestly do think they are worth the money. It's a big milestone, their 1st BIRTHDAY. Hi Laura! :)