Eliza turns 1 on September 18th. We are having her birthday party on the 13th. I have throwing around some ideas in my head for themes, size and location etc. I figured I would see what all y'all opinions were on this matter.
I knew I did not want any character themed party. So I have been trying to be creative with my ideas. I am actually pretty impressed I came up with the second idea. GO ME!
My first idea was to have a cupcake themed party. I am not sure where this idea came from but it kinda stuck in my brain for a while. I would have this arty at the clubhouse in my development. This idea has slowly moved to the back burner. I am just not feeling it anymore.
My next idea (and current favorite) is to have an Eco themed party at the local park. In an effort to reduce waste and reuse I would ask for either no gifts or gently used gifts. Also, no wrapping paper and all that nonsense that gets tossed right into the garbage- unless maybe from recycled materials. The park has swings and a play set as well as an area where we could put up a volleyball net. It would be a very laid back party. I am most likely going with this theme. I did a search for Eco_friendly parties and came up with this site. Of course Heather will design invitations. I am going to have to print them on some recycles paper I guess.
We really don't have that many friends and family so it won't be very big- I don't think.
So what are your thoughts? I am sure my mom thins I am a nut but that is pretty normal.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Planning Eliza's 1st Birthday
Posted by Danielle at 6/10/2008
Labels: birthday, eco-friendly, first birthday
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15 comments:
NO WAY can you do no gifts.... And even if you do Brian & I will still spoil Eliza, LOL... I think I like the cupcake themed party! but the party in a park sounds great too... Don't ask me - I am a big party planner with all the whistles and bells..
OK i marked it on the calendar! You can incorporate both ideas into one party...You can do cupcake themed invitations (i have a really cute one) & then have the eco-friendly party at the park or clubhouse. You can also have cupcakes instead of a regular cake if you want. Layna had her 1st b-day at a park & it was really fun for the kids...just make sure there is a covered place to go for the food and also if it rains.
I definitely would not say anything about no gifts--especially for a first birthday. The not wrapping of the gifts is kind of a good idea because since she is too young you will be the one doing the unwrapping anyway. The first birthday parties I have been to are pretty big - usually people make a really big deal & invite everyone they know, but do whatever makes you & Pete happy and whoever doesn't like it, too bad! It's your child and you can do her party however you want.
We did not have a "big" party for either of my kids' first birthdays. We had just a couple of friends and family members over for cake, ice cream and presents. But our simple low-key parties worked out perfectly - not too much excitement for the birthday kid, not too many unneeded gifts, you still get some good photos, and very inexpensive. Good for everyone.
I do like the park idea though. You can still do a small-ish party there. We waited to have a "big" party when my daughter turned 3 - it was the first birthday that she really understood what was going on, and she was excited to invite all her friends to our house, and everyone had a lot of fun.
I am glad that I am not the only one who plans birthday parties months in advance. :)
I think it's totally cute that you're planning it this far ahead. And I love the idea of an eco-themed party!
You have to have gifts!!!!! Just tell people to save paper by using newspaper or whatnot.
I love the cupcake idea!
I didn't threw a party for Porgie's 1st birthday. We had some cake and went to the beach - Brigantine. I think the Eco-friendly party sounds great. Definitely make it a laid back party, because she will only be one, and won't really even know what it going on.
For my son's first birthday party we just mainly had my family and all their kids over for cake and ice cream...it was perfect!! I wasn't sure what kind of mood he would be in so I thought it best for him as a 1 year old to stay close to home. BUT, you have to have gifts - people would buy them even if you told them not to since it is her 1st party!!
Glad to see you plan in advance too - my son will be 2 on Spet 20 and I am planning already as well!!
I like the party in the park idea. I have also hear of people saying no gifts and instead give a donation to charity or food for a soup kitchen, food pantry, food drive type thing. I like the cupcakes in place of a cake. My friend did that and if there are going to be little kids there - it is a great idea. Sounds like you have a great idea to work with!
First of all you are insane if you don't think little E. is not getting gifts. I'll go woth the no wrapping if you really need me to but presents are a must! Low key and at the park is cool. Heather was right though when she mentioned making sure there is somewhere to get out of the rain. A plus to your club house may be the use of the pool if that is an option especially if it is a really hot day (you know like today). Love the cupcakes. Do whatever you are most comfortable though. We learned the hard way that the party is basically for the 'rents 'cause Madison had no idea what we did or what we spent for her 1st! Oh and I'm soooooo happy to hear that it is on the 13th 'cause the following weekend is the wedding. P.S. we also learned the hard way that you NEED to schedule the party around the baby's nap time and not to worry about everyone else!
My friend just had a cupcake themed party for her DD's 1 yr...I LOVE the eco themed idea!! Go with it!
I think an eco-themed party is a wonderful idea. You could always do e-vites for it (no paper). I've received invites from friends that have used mypunchparty.com and they were cute and very easy to RSVP to. Good luck with the planning.
for Blake's first birthday we did balloons as the theme... he had a balloon cake and I got balloon to attach to the goodie bags and things like that... pretty simple!
I say do what you want!
We had fabulous Korean Tol parties for both our kids. So that probably is no help to you. But they were POTLUCK (key word here) so we could have a lot of people and not spend a lot.
I threw an eco-themed birthday party for my son this year and it turned out quite well. I was surprised at how many things can be turned into an eco-friendly idea. It's not any easier but it requires a little more effort and for that I think it makes a birthday, even more special. Visit my site- I have an entire page dedicated to an eco party "Eco-Birthday 101" You could go with Echoage for the invitations, which is what we did and had a great response. For the first birthday there really is no need to go all out but it's all a personal choice. My son didn't know the difference and still made out with gifts! :)
You can ask for the gifts to be wrapped in something recycled (funnies from the newspaper or a paper bag) They could have their kids color on the paper bag before they wrap it. I will have to try that. You could make gifts optional like you were saying or request books.
Cupcakes are a great idea. They could decorate their own.
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