My son will be 1 in January. We can't have it at home due to many reasons. It is sad b/c it is winter and it could be snowy and no one would show up. We did my daughter at Chucky Cheese but it gets old wihen you have 3 kids.
A friend had one at the local pub. Another had a swanky brunch in Brooklyn. Both were great for the adults. The kids really couldn't care one way or the other.
Best,
F. B.
At grandma and grandpa's house.
A party for a 1 year old is really a party for the adults. Why have it at one of those horrifying loud 'kid' places that no sane person (translation adult) would voluntarily be? How about just the meeting room at your local Pannera Bread, coffee shop or equivalent? Bagels and coffee for all and (if you must) cake for the little one. Congratulations :).
Who are you having the party for? The family? Friends? To celebrate having your 1 year old and as an opportunity to take pictures? That will determine what you do.
A 1, 2 or 3 year old does not know what a birthday is. They do not care about parties, and don't like them very much. Kids get overstimulated, don't like all the attention and hovering, and don't understand why they open a gift and then have to put it aside instead of playing with it because someone wants them to open something else. They start to cry, they don't like the cake, and the parents end up in tears.
If you institute the "age rule" you can explain to your other kids why the 1 year old doesn't get the party they get. A 1 year old gets ONE friend or a cousin invited. A 5 year old gets a party with 5 friends. Nobody gets a party with 20 friends. Have Grandma and Grandpa or one neighbor over for cake and a few photos, and call it a day. No themes, no big organized activities, no outside venue. You've already discovered the problem when everyone wants a party at a venue - there are only a few options out there, so they get old very soon. Instead, start a new tradition of a simple gathering of a friend or two, some photos, a little ice cream, and a much lower expense.
A 1st b'day party is mainly for the adults/family.... I mean your 1 year old doesn't have actual friends yet and they can't really "play" all that much. I would take cupcakes to daycare/mdo, if she goes and then do a nice dinner at a restaurant with a party room.
Wherever it's easy for you. The child won't care. Do what makes the most sense for your entire family. It's the FAMILY that's celebrating. Kids don't care till they're about 4 years old.
For a 1 year old child you can do a couple of things. Skip it all together and only have mom, dad, and any siblings present.
If you don't want to skip having a big to-do then call everyone and tell them to plan on eating at some place everyone likes then tell them to meet there on such and such date at a particular time. Then either do a room in the restaurant or park, some place you can be together but have a quieter environment.
I truly think that birthday parties for kids under 3 are only for the parents, no one else cares. They come because you have it but if you didn't they wouldn't miss it.
is there a rec center near by that you can just rent a room for a couple hours? Do you have family that would be willing to host? I know it's hard to do it at your own home. Is it because it's too small? My house is small and we have done parties here. It's crowded, but still fun. Maybe you can just go to a restaurant?
Since you have three children, you know that a party for a one-year-old is really for the guests. The guest of honor may be cranky or even sleep through the whole thing!
So what else do you have available? A friend's or neighbor's house? A rec center? A skating rink? Are you close enough to Syracuse to find a location there? All you need is about an hour's time - maybe 90 minutes.
A one year old baby has no clue what a birthday party is about.
A party for a one year old baby is a party for the adults and parents.
Why do you feel you have to throw a big party for the one year old? If you are set on it... go to a nice restaurant with a private room and have a party with the adults on your tab.
I agree with Dana. I've attended baby showers and toddler birthday parties at many restaurants. Most have "banquet" rooms which you can reserve, many times without a deposit. Pick one that is centrally located for most attendees. I remember one baby shower was at a Denny's and they had this awesome room with a roaring fireplace, private bar and good deals on appetizers. The double doors were curtained, adding a bit of privacy to the affair. So check around. You'll be surprised. Like Dana said, at this age, it's more for the adults. A sort of a celebration that YOU survived the first year! lol
Have fun!
