Baby's about to turn 1 and you're ready to celebrate! So who do you invite? Here, an event planner shares her expert advice on creating a guest list for a first birthday party — and moms dish on who they invited and why.
It's Usually About the Adults
"Let's be honest — the first birthday party is really for the parents. Ideally, you will invite those who are important and close to your family. This might include your parents, extended family, friends, neighbors, and possibly colleagues. You will want to consider the size of your party venue (and how many guests it can accommodate) and the party budget when writing your guest list. You don't have to invite 'friends' from daycare or preschool until the second or third birthday party — unless you really want to." — Janice Carnevale, Bellwether Events, Washington DC
It Can Be an All-Ages Affair
"We invited close friends and family — with their kids, of course."
Some Stick to Just Close Family
"For us, it was basically just close family. No need to have anything huge, since that would probably overwhelm the baby. And really, our family was who we wanted to share the day with most."
Venue May Dictate the Size
"I had it in my huge backyard, so I didn't care how many came. My biggest problem was that some of the people we invited — parents, stepparents, significant others — made it complicated."
Some Parents Can't Help but Have a Big Bash
"We invited just about everybody we knew! It felt like a big accomplishment making it through the first year. Plus we hadn't gotten to see our friends as much since the baby was born. It was so great to bring everyone together to celebrate."
*Disclaimer: The advice on CafeMom.com is not a substitute for consultation with a medical professional or treatment for a specific condition. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem without consulting a qualified professional. Please contact your health-care provider with questions and concerns.
