Do You Think a 1St Birthday Costume Party Is Weird?

Actually, I think this is a GREAT IDEA!!! I bet everyone will look soooo cute! If you don't want a Halloween theme, maybe suggest they come dressed as their favorit cartoon character or something. I would love to see pics when it is all done. Good luck and have fun!!

To be quite honest - I think so. Maybe when they get older like 6 it would be more fun. The only once that get a kick out of it would be the parents.

IK - Mother of two boys (10 and 8) in PA.

I don't think one year olds can appreciate this but I do think it would be a hoot for all the adults....if you can afford to do a party like this, it's not weird at all...have fun!

Nope sounds like fun !!

Can I come ?

M

I think it is a great idea. You will also encourage your Mom friends to get costumes early in the year for Halloween - at least the kids can wear their costumes twice in one year!!

If you want to do a costume party but not a Halloween party, I would suggest making it a theme party with costumes.

You could make it a Princess party and have everyone dress as their favorite princess...or a Fairy Tale party and everyone dresses as their favorite fairy tale character.

If you make it a themed party, and clearly state that in the invitations, maybe you can avoid the Halloween type costumes.

I would put something like this in the invitations:

We are having a "whatever" themed party. Please come dressed as your favorite "whatever" from "that theme".

Good luck, I hope it's a fun time for you all.

Different but not wierd. It will be fun, I think!

I don't think it's weird, per say, but I think it could be scary for such little ones.

Hi D., I think it is a very different idea. I love a costume party and if you think your guests will go for it you may start a new trend. Only one thought, will it take attention away from the twins? Grandma Mary

I teach creative drama parties -- mostly to kids 4 and up. But, I can tell you from personal experience that when I had a friend dress up as Barney for my son's 1st bday many years ago, my son cried and was scared!!!! At that age, costumes are a bit disconcerting. Also, dressing up a one year old seems a bit overwhelming. They will want to take the costume off in a short time. Wait for the kids to be able to dress-up themselves -- at least age 4. For one year olds...keep the party short, not so structured and safe.

Would the parents be in costume too? Is this something they usually like to do (are your friends/relatives big Halloween fans)? What ages will be at the party, if it's a bunch of babies and the parents are all Anne Geddes fans, go for it and have a great photo op, otherwise I'd wait until the kids are older and can enjoy it.

It is a great idea! My sister in law does a costume party every year for her daughter, and her birthday is in the middle of October. The kids LOVE it, and some of the adults get dressed up too. Have Fun!!

Sounds like a great idea! Go for it! :) I like the theme idea, that may also prevent guests from wearing any scary costumes that might frighten the birthday girls. Have fun with it!!!

Hi D.

I want to encourage to believe in yourself. All ideas started with someone and there will always be people who like new ideas and then there are people who criticize (I think this tends to be the same people all the time too).

Your idea is original and could be a lot of fun. I do think if you don't want witches etc. that on your invitation you give a few ideas so it doesn't turn into something you don't want.

D.
I'm 60 years old, been married to the same man for 38 years and have two grown sons and one daughter-in-law.

Dear D.,
A costume party sounds like fun, but you need to think about the girls and how they might react. At one year they recognize people as they are used to seeing them on a day-to-day basis. If friends and relatives show up in costume, it could throw the girls off, having them react negatively to people that they know. It ends up hurting everyone. For example, when our daughter had her second birthday party, a Norwegian exchange student that was living with us, dressed up as a clown and came to the party. We thought it a nice touch. But lo and behold, our daughter freaked out. We explained that it was Gunhild and she knew her. We ended up having to comfort our daughter and 16-year old Gunhild.
Basically what I am saying is that you don't need to be creative for their first birthday - just enjoy the celebration with friends and family. Once they hit 5, 7, 12, and teenage years, then get creative. It will come.
Relax and enjoy every moment with your children. Don't stress the small stuff. Enjoy being parents. There is no greater gift.

D., I do not think it is weird at all. I celebrated both of my two older boys birthdays from 1 year old and up. My third one willbe1 year old in September and I will celebrate that birthday too. I see that they ae a gift and having them that day when they were born is very important and I think it's important and then you can make a scrap book or set up an album for your girls from birthdays or all that they do. I think you do what you want for your girls and just remember, think about this, is a hall really important? Kids don't care about expensive toys (they would rather play cardboard boxes) :) and they won't care about the hall. You may want to think of a cheaper place, but again, it's your choice. Just make it fun and the girls will love it....I'd be praying for you all.

Hi, D.!

Congrats on the first year milestone as a mama of twins!

It does sound like fun but I would consider the possibility of your girls (and any other younger children) being overwhelmed and frightened by a room full of costumed people. I think I might save this party idea for when they are a little older like 3 or 4. I was a teacher for 12 years and have seen children as old as 4 or 5 become anxious around costumed people, even when it was just one familiar beloved figure like Mickey Mouse or Barney.

Just something to consider. I know the first birthday party is really for the adults but it would be a shame if the guests of honor were crying when Auntie wanted to hold them because she is costumed and looking unfamiliar - a stranger. I would offer the suggestion that if you are set on the idea that you ask your guests not to wear masked and to dress in non-threatening costumes.

Good luck and let us know how the party goes!

S.

I think that a costume party is a great idea! I always love to put my children in costume and would be psyched to go to that kind of party! Have fun!

my birthday is in october too and i have had costume birthday paties many times as a child. i dont think its weird at all but the "theme" of a one year olds party is usually enough to be that, a "first birthday". people arent expecting you too focus on them, rather on your babies. if you are just wanting to be original, i wouldnt bother. this birthday, they really wont enjoy as much compared to others. they may get frightened, or not like being dressed up. they ewont appreciate the effort. i would suggest you wait until 3 or 4 when they can appreciate it, and when they actually play with other kids. that way, they can all run around, and really enjoy it. have a pinnata, pumkin carvings, ect. i think its fine if you do it now, but then as they get older, it wont be "different" at all. save the good stuff for them to enjoy, after all it is their birthday.
either way, it will be great, but dont worry about the guests, focus on your girls, and just make sure you plan around naps! trust me, around 3 years old is when the parties get to be real fun.

One of my friends had a Halloween playdate when our babies were all just under one. The babies didn't care, but the moms had a great time taking pictures and watching them play in their costumes. I doubt the children would be scared of each other in costume--just maybe adults who come in costume?

D., I honestly think it's a little over the top for one year olds. They wont' get anything out of seeing people in costumes and it could be scary for them. With birthdays in October, costumes and a Halloween theme could be lots of fun when they are older, but personally it's not something I would do for a first birthday.

I think that is so much fun!!!
I would suggest that scary costumes and masks not be allowed, as they are impressionable little beings. But that is a fun idea. I would also have some pieces of silk handy for parents or children without costumes, to tie on for their own too! (like capes) It is also easy to make felt crowns for each child as a parting or entrance gift from the party. Fun Fun. What a great idea!!!

Also, you could have more of a themed costume party to avoid unwanted scary things and masks, like "The Fairy Kingdom Adventure" Each child could dress like a fairy or gnome or prince or princess. You could make simple felt crowns or find cheap wings to give out, instead of candy or plastic toys.

good luck and have fun!

A side note after reading some responses... My daughter has "grown up" her first year in a Waldorf Pre-school at our home. She is very into dressing up, as the older children do. She asks for her wings and crown. She loves her little fairy onesie that has a mesh flower petal tutu sewn on. As a 9 month old she adored dressing up. She is now 15 months and ask often to have a silk tied onto her waist and of course the wings, shinny shoes and the like. I guess it all depends on your children.

I certainly do not think a costume party is weird. At
1 years old girls are getting into dress up so maybe they can dress as their favorite Princess. If boys are coming they also
love to dress up at that age so they can be their favorite
character. I know they are young but we all know they have
favorites. The date is very close to Halloween and the little
ones are so anxious to wear their costumes. Your party would
give the moms a reason to let the kids wear their costume
early and take pictures.

Not weird at all...as a matter of fact, I think parents will be glad to have another reason and opportunity for their kids to wear their costumes. It is such a waste to wear them only once! Sounds like fun...you might even make it a tradition...no matter what else you do at the party, or where it is held, costumes required!!! Can you imagine older kids going mini golfing in their costumes! Could be crazy and fun...not weird! Now...if their birthday's were in May it might be perceived as weird!!

Have fun!

D.

Hi D.. I don't think the party is so much weird as it is inappropriate...with all due respect; I know you want to celebrate your fabulous twins...but the costumes may frighten the babies. They are so young in their development, if it were I, I would keep their environment calm and emotionally safe.

I can't tell you the number of hypnotherapy clients I've worked with who carry phobias from early traumas that were unintended. Sometimes, young parents are overzealous in their wanting to socialize their little ones and cause harm where they do not mean to. I would recommend a small intimate family gathering with singing and love...an it's cheaper too. I'd save the costume party for age 6 or so, when the child can grasp the concept of pretend...and can really enjoy the variety and participate in planning and making his own costume.
Best wishes,
R. Conte, CCHT

No. My cousin's B-day is on Halloween and we always had a big costume party the weekend before. It was a lot of fun ans made the B-day extra special. Just remind the guests on the invite, nothing too scary.

I think its a very creative idea and not weird at all. Who doesnt love an excuse to dress up? Especially kids! Have a great party!

I don't know if I'd use the description "wierd", but many times, 1 year olds find costumed characters to be frightening....think about a trip to a theme park where a young child gets scared by a giant mouse, bear, dinosaur, etc. I would hate to see an experience like that ruin the party! And from my own experience, one year old babies don't really pay much attention to the details or theme of the party, just the adults will notice, so why not just have a good old-fashioned party with entertainment suited for whatever ages the kids invited will be?
Just my thoughts! Good luck!

Honestly, they won't remember it! I think it is kind of odd to have a costume party for 1 year olds. Maybe when they are 3 or 4 it's something they would enjoy, but for right now it seems like lots of money for an idea.

I think that is a Great Idea! I love Birthday parties, and I try very hard to make it special for my kids, my daughter remembers from 3 years old and she will be turning 6 in August God willing. :) Enjoy it, really its about the kids who cares what others think. Enjoy them all! Good Luck! :)

I would agree with the other moms who said save this idea for when they are older and better able to enjoy it. One year olds do not have any idea about what characters they want to dress as...they'd be just as happy crawling and playing around in their 'birthday suits!' also they may not recongnize close friends and family if they are costumed beyond recognition.

People will take a costume party to mean halloween costumes even if the invitations don't say it. I have one child born a week before halloween and another who is a christmas eve kid. Speaking from experience make their party something unique. At age one they may be overwhelmed with all the activities so I'd say to keep it simple.

Our most successful party was when my twins were 5 and we had a carnival party where everyone played carnival games: fishing with magnets instead of hooks, dropping cloths pins into jars, bean bag toss, etc. The prizes came from the Oriental Trade Company (now on the web) so every kid left with a ton of little toys.

It's a great idea for when your child is older. Even if your child doesn't cry, at that age, lots of kidsi n costumes will scare many kids not to mention kids who won't like to wear the costume at that age. Save it for when your child is older.

I agree with the some who said that costumes are more appreciated by older children. However, when my babies were 1 - they both liked hats. Maybe you could ask people to wear funny hats and have a bin of ones that could fit the little ones. They may not be able to get them on by themselves, but they'll have fun ripping them off and having you put on a new one.

I'd be afraid they (or other children) would be afraid of people in costume. They may not like it.

I just had a "dress-up " party for my 3 year old and it was great. Girls tended to come as princesses or other tu-tu outfits and boys were everything from pirates to Star wars characters. They all loved it! I also had a bin of dress-up clothes in case anyone forgot or wanted to play "dress-up". Christmas tree store have inexpensive outfit and a party store always has masks, etc. Have fun! And take pictures. They'll come out adorable.

My son will also be one on October 4! I have two older daughters and I'll tell you, it's a bit overwhelming for the little ones at birthday time, with all of the people coming in and paying SO much attention to the birthday girl/girls!! My oldest didn't seem to really enjoy the actual birthday party until she was about three. If you're girls don't seem to get fazed easily then why not, make sure that the older people aren't going to dress in anything scary (little kids can even find clowns, ghosts and most masks scary). Have fun with your daughters. Every kid is different so they may love it.

I don't think it's weird. It's just going with the theme of the season. I know of more than one such themed birthday party.I know you said you don't intend for it to be a Halloween party though. The only thing that sticks out to me is little ones having a fear of costumes as my oldest did at that age(up until she was 4!) Otherwise, have fun with it!
You could always build a dress up theme around what your girls costumes will be, say Princesses?