first birthday party planning

Hi everyone, I've started planning the girls' first birthday party. Between a large family and incredibly supportive friends (especially with DH losing both of his parents this year), we are having a BIG party! The invite list is about 60 right now. These are all people the girls know and they are incredibly social so I'm not expecting any big freak outs... I actually expect they will have so much fun because of all the attention. We'll see (knocking madly on wood)!

Because its going to be a big party and because people tend to be overly generous, I've included "Just your presence is requested, no gifts please" on the invite. Is that tacky? I really just want people to share the day with us and not feel the need to bring anything. Also the girls have everything they could ever want or need... because people have been more than generous this last year.

Here is the invite (I hope the link works):
http://s213.photobucket.com/albums/cc66/ll...photobucket.jpg

Dh thinks that picture is over used... I took it in July when they were 4 months old and he has it on his office door and as the wallpaper on his blackberry. But its hard to get the girls to wear their sunglasses now that they'd rather chew on them, and I thought it was appropriate given the 'theme' of the party (beach party in winter.. since we are having it at a yacht club). -Leighann

 

The link didnt work. It brought me to homepage of photobucket

 

I can't edit my original post, but hopefully this link works..
http://s213.photobucket.com/albums/cc66/ll...photobucket.jpg

 

I love it! The picture is super cute!

 

I think the invite is great! They look so cute. :wub:
I don't think requesting no gifts is tacky. Good luck with the planning.

 

That is a very nice invite. I would not change a thing. It is perfect.

 

So it's "over used" in Dh's world, but how many of the 60 have seen it every single day? That picture is SOOOO cute!! We had those same dresses last summer. :wub:

I think the invite is adorable, the picture is gorgeous!! Everyone has their own opinion about the "please no gifts" thing. I don't think it's tacky, I was thinking about doing that for my girls' party too. I decided against it after reading a lot on this site about how people tend to ignore it anyway. I used word of mouth to let people know there really isn't anything they needed BUT...if they needed to get something about about a pair of pajamas each, or something simple like that.

I can't wait to see the pics of the party!!

 

That picture is ADORABLE!

 

What a darling picture and invitation!! I just wanted to add what my daughter did for her son's 1st birthday. She asked for no gifts but suggested that those who wanted to could contribute to a specific orphanage in Mexico (which her church had a connection with). People were really enthused about the idea and they ended up donating over $500. Just a thought!

 

I think the picture is adorable!! And perfect for the theme!! Not to be nosey... but tell us more about the party! It sounds like fun! Have you picked out a cake, decorations, what they're going to wear, etc.?? What kind of food are you having? Sorry for so many questions... I've been thinking about the boys' first b-day and would love to hear what other people are doing!

- Carrie

 

Thanks everyone! My sister and I are going to do a photoshoot on Friday with the girls for some 'beachy' pictures, but if it doesn't work out I'm keeping that pix in ... I love that picture too!

As for the party details, the 'theme' is a beach party because they are pisces (fish!).. and its going to be at a local yacht club because we are remodeling so the house is kind of a wreck. So even though we are in the Northeast where its cold in March we are having a BBQ at a yacht club!

We are doing easy food.. burgers, dogs, salads, veggie platter, chips, goldfish crackers for the toddlers, etc. We'll have a large sheet cake for everyone, and then two small fish-shaped cakes for the girls. My sister and I are going to make all the cakes.. and are going to do a trial run for the fish cake next week to make sure it comes out cute... think we are going to use a two small round cake pans and one small square cake pan (cut the square diagonally for the fish tail), but we are going to have to experiment with it. I can picture it in my head but I don't know if its going to work.

Decorations are going to be basic. I think I'm just going to have solid colored plates, napkins, cutlery, and cups (green-blue maybe- or whatever goes with our theme and is on sale at the party store or target). I looked on oriental trading company's website and they have small beach balls for cheap so I'm probably going to get a bunch of those and then we'll set up the play yard and give the kids balls to play with (safer than balloons). I may get a banner too and an inflatable palm tree (it was $4 on one of the website I was looking at and its 6' tall!). My sister has leis left over from another party, so maybe we'll have those too.. for the older kids and adults.

Music will be Bob Marley! For the older kids (4-8 year olds), I will probably have Finding Nemo coloring pages and crayons and we may bring our small TV/DVD combo player and have Finding Nemo (or some other kid friendly movie) playing.

The only thing I haven't decided on is what the girls will wear... other than that, can you tell I've been thinking about this for awhile?! I hope they have fun and don't get overwhelmed...

 

I think "Your presence is their present" is a nice way of saying it. Or, "Just the gift of your presence is requested". Cute picture, great invite...sounds like fun!

 

Sounds like fun!! Northeast...hmmm...close enough for me to drive there? You could also do pails and shovels as favors for super cheap and super cute!!

 

I've been getting ready for our 1st bday too. Your invites are so cute. I think the pic is great. We are just having family over for pizza and cake. And I made the invites since I didnt need very many they are in the shape of a number 1. Wording was hard for me, I LOVE yours for your party. I did... Time Flies When Your Having Fun, Can You Believe It? Ian & Jeffrey Are Turning One! We are doing primary colors in circles and stars. With two small circle cakes with a one on them for the boys. And a large star for everyone else. I'm making mine too, it's easer to find what you want that way.
I don't think it's tacky to request for no presents. I did that for my MIL retirement party.
If your doing the whole beach thing sailor dresses would be cute on your girls. I am going simple I bought blank onsies at walmart and used iron on transfer paper to put a cake with one candle and 'It's Our First Birthday' on them.
That was more than anyone asked, but I was just in the mood to share! I hope it turns out great!

 

QUOTE(girls! @ Feb 6 2008, 10:43 PM) [snapback]610005[/snapback]
I think "Your presence is their present" is a nice way of saying it. Or, "Just the gift of your presence is requested". Cute picture, great invite...sounds like fun!


Great suggestions! I think I'll use the second! Thanks so much!

 

QUOTE(MichelleL @ Feb 6 2008, 10:52 PM) [snapback]610022[/snapback]
Sounds like fun!! Northeast...hmmm...close enough for me to drive there? You could also do pails and shovels as favors for super cheap and super cute!!


NY (long island)... so a couple hours away and a ferry ride for you, but the more the merrier!!!

I like the pail/shovel idea too. My mom said I might be able to find them at the dollar store. I think I have some shopping to do this weekend

 

QUOTE(Laurel S @ Feb 6 2008, 11:11 PM) [snapback]610052[/snapback]
I've been getting ready for our 1st bday too. Your invites are so cute. I think the pic is great. We are just having family over for pizza and cake. And I made the invites since I didnt need very many they are in the shape of a number 1. Wording was hard for me, I LOVE yours for your party. I did... Time Flies When Your Having Fun, Can You Believe It? Ian & Jeffrey Are Turning One! We are doing primary colors in circles and stars. With two small circle cakes with a one on them for the boys. And a large star for everyone else. I'm making mine too, it's easer to find what you want that way.
I don't think it's tacky to request for no presents. I did that for my MIL retirement party.
If your doing the whole beach thing sailor dresses would be cute on your girls. I am going simple I bought blank onsies at walmart and used iron on transfer paper to put a cake with one candle and 'It's Our First Birthday' on them.
That was more than anyone asked, but I was just in the mood to share! I hope it turns out great!


So cute.. I love the wording of your invite! Have fun making the cakes!

 

QUOTE(Leighann @ Feb 7 2008, 08:33 AM) [snapback]610337[/snapback]
NY (long island)... so a couple hours away and a ferry ride for you, but the more the merrier!!!

My mom was in Miller Place (near Port Jeff) for a couple of years. A two hour drive then an hour on the ferry. Woohoo!!

 

QUOTE(MichelleL @ Feb 7 2008, 08:43 AM) [snapback]610353[/snapback]
My mom was in Miller Place (near Port Jeff) for a couple of years. A two hour drive then an hour on the ferry. Woohoo!!


What a small world! We are in Port Jeff and thats where the party is!

 

I think the invite is GREAT! I laughed the second I opened the link.

 

Great invite!! I know we have "overused" pictures too but when they are so cute, you just can't help yourself!

I think it's adorable. And I think asking for no presents is fine. I like the suggestions you got for that.

We are gearing up for the big #1 too! Not as big as yours but still pretty big in my opinion. We are having about 25 people at our house. We are just doing everything in purple and pink. I think it will be cute!

 

Leighann, I didn't see this yesterday. I loved the invite! And I don't think it is tacky at all to tell people not to bring gifts. More helpful than anything else!

 

Leighann, the invite is adorable. I love the pic! And like someone else on here said, it may be overused for dh but how many of the guests invited have seen that pic. And even if they have so what. I think it is fine to say no gifts. Good luck with the planning and all. Keep us posted on everything and after the party, post pictures!!!

 

I'm dying to see the invite! But my work blocks photobucket! I'll have to look at it from home later! I can't believe we are planning 1st b-day parties ... we just booked the place for my kids, and are getting the invite list together. Like you guys, we decided to go with a bigger party, since there are so many loved ones we wwant to include ... we are at about 60 adults and 23 kids! and 16 of those 23 kids are around 1! There was a heck of a baby boom with my family / friends this year!

 

I think it's cute! I was reading of a new idea for b-day presents....I forget what they called it, but it was a play off of "pay it forward"...you put on the invite that in lieu of a gift a donation can be made to "x" charity...kinid of a neat idea I thought...especially when kids get a little older and you want to teach them some social repsponsibility!

 

It sounds like so much fun! LOVE the Bob Marley music! And the cake sounds like it will be really cute... hope we get to see pics of everything! I've seen the shovel/pail favors too with a fish baby loofah and Finding Nemo fruit snacks inside the pail. It was really cute. Good luck with everything!!!