Hi guys,

my son Drake will turn 1 in December. I am very excited and wanting to plan out his birthday party in the best way I can.

I don't own a big enough home to host a party, might get an apartment soon, but not certain yet. I'm still wondering where and how to host it based on my budget. Should I rent a place?

I would also like to know how you guys all did your first birthday parties for your little ones, so that I can get some ideas about what I should do and the costs I should expect.

Any suggestions are welcomed too!

Thanks!

I threw my niece's forst birthday party at a pizza place just because our family is sooooo big. It was pretty cool.

Just remember, although a first birthday is a special thing, 1 year olds won't remember it, they don't have a bunch of friends to invite yet, and it is more for the parents than the kid. Most kids would be happy with a cupcake and a pile of wrapping paper, so you only have to do as much as YOU want.

I just say this because we have all seen the craziness. I remember seeing Anna Nicoles little girls party and it was soooo rediculous. Barney came, there were hot air balloon rides, a tent, a castle shaped cake just for her, hundreds of guests, and she will never remember any of it.

I'm planning my baby girls first birthday as we speak! Well im having her party in my backyard because its huge! I wanted to rent a place but I changed my mind. We don't have a theme either, originally it was going to be a halloween dress up party but we decided not to have a theme. We will be painting pumkins though! We will also be going down to my other daughter Ava's grave and sing happy birthday to her as she is Mia's twin sister. Their birthday is October 20th but the party is on the 24th. Im so excited! Good luck with your planning!
-Chelsea

A first birthday party for my family is consistant. the baby gets its own chocolate cake. we sit them on the floor(on a blanket) and let them do what they will. I think birthday are for the children... if this is your first -then start your own tradition. maybe a certain type of cake or a special hat that they wear or anyting. that will make the best memories and give you somthing to talk about in the future.

We invited immediate family, which with my small house made it very crowed. We had a jungle animal theme with an elephant cake (photo on my profile page). We ate sub sandwitches and had chips, veggies, prezels and dip.

Hope you have a great party.

you could do like a teddy bear's picnic get everyone to bring a teddy and if you choose a plate of food and you can host it at a local park...therefore you have as much room as you wish and you can save money by asking the guests to bring a plate of food