Xander Week 50 – Birthday Party Planning
August 28, 2007
Well, we have started to plan Xander’s first birthday party. I feel like the first one is a big deal, and so I’m trying not to screw it up too much. Since Xander doesn’t really have friends of his own yet, we’re inviting friends and family over for a barbecue in the afternoon, the Saturday after Xander’s birthday.
A few of our friends have kids of their own, who will hopefully attend, so I’m planning on making up goodie bags for them, but not for the adults, hopefully that’s ok. I’m thinking that I’ll try to find a cupcake cake (one of those cakes made out of cupcakes with some sort of unified frosting image), as cupcakes are a heck of a lot easier than an actual cake, and I’m definitely not confident enough in my baking abilities to make anything edible for a large crowd.
As most of the group will be adults, I’m assuming that eating, visiting, and opening presents will be enough activity for them. I’ll pull some of our lawn games out for the more athletically inclined guests, but I’m betting that most people will prefer to simply nibble food and chat with friends/family.
I’ve put Zach in charge of balloons, but other than that duty, the rest of the party preparations are my responsibility. All of the party supplies that I need to order have already been delivered. I’ve got the invitations going out in the mail tomorrow (a few days later than I would have preferred, but that was due to circumstances beyond my control). I don’t need to rent or reserve anything, so the rest of the prep work can wait until the weekend before the party when we’ll do some serious house cleaning and party supply shopping.
I read a comment today that talked about a lady buying gifts for all of the kids in her child’s day care, as well as the teachers who interact with her child. She was looking for suggestions on what to buy without spending too much money. Is that common practice? To buy gifts for kids and teachers in day care on your child’s birthday? I’m new to this, so if this is something I should do, I need to know about it soon so I can prepare gifts for the 30+ people at Xander’s day care. If anyone has any insight (on the gifts, or on first birthdays in general), I’d love to hear it!
I can’t believe it’s been a whole year! There is a priceless picture of me on my 1st birthday right after I hugged my cake! I had a party hat on, frosting everywhere and a huge grin. I suggest baking a small cake just for Xander, that he can squash, hug, throw, whatever it is 1 year old boys like to do with cake.
Have fun Sara!
That seems a little ridiculous to get gifts for all of Xander’s day-care-mates.. It would be different if someone else had already done it. It might be nice to make more cupcakes and bring those in, that could work. Nice touch, but nothing crazy.
I cannot believe Xander is almost one. It seems like yesterday that you were still pregnant!!!
Gifts for everyone at the daycare sounds silly. As for the party, your plans sound pretty good. Although, I think I should get a goody bag for putting up with Zach all the time.
I agree with Jenny that you should make some cupcakes to bring in, but presents doesn’t make sense. I don’t know if you are planning on inviting the teachers that are with him at daycare, but that is a nice gesture even if they don’t come. Also, make sure that once Xander gets at the cake, that everything around him is cleared away because little boys can throw cake a good distance. My nephew (at his 1st) made a mess of the entire area around him, getting it on the door and window by his high chair.
P.S. I would follow up with Zach to make sure he actually takes care of the balloons because you don’t want that falling through the cracks
(just kidding)
Just so I don’t forget to tell you this in person…I don’t think that you should be expected to buy gifts for the day care kids, although the cupcakes sound like a good idea. At Plymouth Elementary, the younger kids bring cupcakes for their class when it’s their birthday. Honestly, baking a cake isn’t much different from baking cupcakes, except instead of lots of little cakes to frost, it’s just one big one. I’m sure you can handle a cake, but if you want to go with cupcakes, just let me know and I can help frost!
Sheesh! I feel like such a boob! We’re not doing anything major for Amelia on her birthday. I plan on getting her a party hat and a cake that she can dig into and make a mess, but other than that, nothing extravagant. Her birthday is on a Wednesday, so we are taking a long weekend and going down to see the grandparents a few weeks before.
And I never thought about taking something in for her daycare class. I’ll have to ask the teachers and see what they say.
well, i live in paris and at every birthday, there is a little package for the kids at the creche. MY SON’S BIRTHDAY IS COMING UP AND I FEEL I HAVE TO GIVE AS GOOD AS HE HAS BEEN GETTING!