Baptism plus 1St and Second Birthday Celebration

Having just had 42 people here Saturday for a first birthday party, here are my suggestions:

Yes, you should open the gifts.
Since you have 2 celebrating, you help one and have your husband help the other.
Do both at the same time.
Read the cards aloud too.
We did the cake outside since it might be messy.
Are you giving each birthday child a small cake or cupcake?
Again, I would do it at the same time.
Someone told me you can get mimi-popsicles for toddlers, which might be nice with the cupcakes.
I do not advise games for this age...we had squirt guns for all to play with outside...also had a sprinkler going in a little pool since it was so hot.
We had prize bags for the 12 children there to take home.
The children ranged in age from 1 to 12.
We also had a small fireworks (fountain-type) show at the end of the party.
Hope this helps you.

Hi Amy,
As for games, I think it's kind of hard to get kids to pay attention and be on the same track at that young of an age. Maybe you could rent a moon walk (bouncy thing), or just have a kiddie pool and other water activities to do outside.

For food, I think cupcakes are perfect for the kids, and I would have some easy appetizers sat out for the adults as well.

I know not unwrapping the gifts would make it easier, but I personally hate it when people don't unwrap gifts. I mean, people take the time to go out, spend money on a thoughtful gift, wrap it, and then they don't get to see the delight on your childs face when it's unwrapped. I realize your children are very small, so maybe you could let all the children help open them, or you and your husband could sit with your kids and help them do it to make it go quicker.

Good luck and have fun!

I'll tell you what I do, and I LOVE it, plus everyone has always said how much they like the way I do it.

We always have lots of people and kids at our birthday parties also. So, when people show up with a gift, I say "You can go ahead and give that to Aryana. She's in the playroom" or whatever. What I have found this does, is give that person and Aryana a special moment to open the present just the two or however many of them, and doesn't create that dreadfully boring "opening gifts" time. That is the worst part about birthday parties in my opinion! If I don't want to sit through it, I"m sure many other people don't either. So, I never have it. I always let her open them as they come.

As far as your food goes, I would have finger foods too since you will still have people there at 5 more than likely, which to some people is dinner time. I usually have meatballs, nacho dip, cheeseball and crackers, and fruit or veggie tray for my get togethers that happen in the afternoon like that. If they're scheduled around a meal, we usually have a cookout.

I wouldn't even worry about any games. They're almost too young and it would only make you stressed out. If you want to have something special, keep it simple, like hand out some bubbles or go pick up a bunch of cheap balls to give to the kids to play with outside. I would NOT do games. I did games for my daughter's second birthday and it was great for the older kids, 7 and older, but for the younger ones, they just wanted to play and weren't into stopping to play games. Instead, I bought bubbles, and bought a pool with a little slide. The kids played in it nonstop!

Best advice is don't get stressed! I have get togethers at my house atleast 6 times a year, usually way more than that. One thing I've realized is that I have to be able to enjoy them too. So, I set the food out, make sure there are enough plates and everything set out for the day, and let everyone serve themselves while I get time to chit chat. You'll be surprised at how many people are more than happy to help with upkeep on stuff with you. Put one trash bag on the floor and another in the can, that way trash isn't overflowing quickly, and as soon as you see the one on the floor full, put the can one on the floor cuz it will always hold more, and stick a fresh one in the can. These are things that always make things easier on me. Also, put a blanket on your kitchen floor with a couple coolers to keep drips from making your house a muddy mess, and have one for kids' juice and one for cans of pop. That's alwyas helpful when the kids don't need help getting their drinks.

No organized games necessary.
They would rather play at that age. You won't get their attention enough to mess with it.
As for food, you are not required to serve "food" if it is not meal time. (lunch, dinner ;o) Since the party is at an off time, snacks & dessert is plenty.
When it comes to gifts, this is what we do. We take the child that is ready to leave & go to the side and open their gift. This way they can see her open it & we can personally thank & hug them for their gift. It's more personal & the children don't get bored or jealous sitting in a circle watching every gift be opened.
Hope the party goes great!!!

Someone recommended a bounce house..that would be wonderful! Or a little pool for the kids to play in. If it's hot, you could even set up a couple of sprinklers and let them play. Kids that age absolutely LOVE balloon and balls. A few of them would keep them entertained for awhile. Since it's at 3:30, you shouldn't need much in the way of food, but I'd get a little more than just fruit and cupcakes. Maybe make up a couple of bowls of chips and pretzels with dip. Or a warm dip for tortilla chips. (I have two very very simple and yummy recipes if you want them.) It really just depends on how long your party is.

Opening gifts is totally your call. I would just play it by ear. If the kids are having lots of fun, just let them run around. You wouldn't want to cause any fights between the kids. I don't know if 3 year olds would understand why one is getting lots of toys and the others aren't getting anything.

As for activities...get a bubble machine and some balloons. SOmeone suggested a bouncy ball thing...that's a great idea - and also a kiddie pool just for splashing around in.

As for food - I'd go to the supermarket - cupcakes are a good idea - veggie and fruit tray - cups of applesauce - and some supermarkets can make a "mini sandwich" tray too. We've done that and have gotten sandwiches from Subway.

Good luck!

We have combined birthday parties, too. My older two are just 2 days apart (boy/girl). My youngest are just 3 weeks apart (girl/girl). We're going to start having separate parties for the older ones just because they have totally different interests/friends now that they are older. But the combined party was nice while it lasted -- less work for me! :-)

No organized games are necessary for that age group. Just set out toys and let them play freely. If the weather is nice, consider having it outside. We have 3 summer birthdays. For that age group, just set out a water table and set up a sprinkler and they are happy for at least an hour! (slip and slides are great when they are older... it kept 10 6-7 year old boys happy for 2 hours for our last party!). Even if it's inside, just let them play. Most kids that age are too young to "get" organized games.

I wouldn't open presents. I think it's a midwest thing. We lived on the west coast when our oldest was born and then moved here a few years later. We had never been to a party where the presents were opened until we moved to IN. It wasn't common back there until the kids got to be around age 6 or 7... when they could sit and watch another kid get toys and not whine, cry, fuss, whatever because they didn't get one and they could sit still for 20-30 minutes while the opening happened. We've been to lots of parties here (for every age up until 7) and in every case the 'present opening' part was a complete disaster except for the 6-7 year olds.