Why first birthdays & weddings are strikingly similar…

August 7, 2012 by 7 Comments

Who knew that planning a first birthday party would give me flashbacks to planning my wedding? At least with that, I had over a year to plan! I have 3.5 weeks left to get this party together…and there is still so much to do!

First of all, you know those girls that say “Oh, I wish Etsy and Pinterest had been around when I was planning my wedding! There are so many great ideas there!” I am not one of those girls. I love both of those sites, but OMG they are so overwhelming. Last night, I was searching for a first birthday shirt with a monkey on it for *Hunter* to wear. The search came back with 23890283102 results, so I sat there on my iPad looking at EACH AND EVERY ONE. And of course, the one I finally decided to splurge on ($30 for a shirt he’ll wear once?!), the seller can’t have it ready for me in time for his party. Blerg!

Secondly, the guest list. Why do I feel obligated to invite so many people?! This party will be at my house. There is not a lot of room. But so-and-so invited me to her daughter’s birthday party, and these 10 people came to my baby shower. Then, five other people asked me what the kid wants for his birthday. You obviously care about my son enough to buy him a gift, so now I HAVE to invite you! This is the point my husband will step in and say, “No. X number of people. That’s plenty.” And I will cry as I try to figure out who to cut, and pray they don’t ask me why they weren’t invited… (I knew I should have stuck with my “family and godparents only” policy!)

Then, there’s the decorations, food, party favors…*headdesk*

(Serves me right for laughing at my friends who started planning their kids first birthdays six months in advance!)

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  • melixa

    now I don’t feel so silly for planning my baby’s first birthday. I think I’ve got about 16 months left before he turns one!

    • Allie @ The Practically Green Mom

      I’m jealous! Can I go back in time? (Though I don’t miss being pregnant!)

  • http://newmomadventure.blogspot.com Denae @ New Mom Adventure

    LOL BREATHE GIRL! I agree about the pinterest/etsy overload and there is so much pressure to make it perfect and all Martha Stewart perfection. Honestly most people dont care about that. Also, on the guest list make two. The cant live without list (family, etc) and the second string of if my house was huge I would love it if these people came. As people say they cant make it you can invite others off the second list. We had many who got Elena gifts but didnt come to her party (even though some were invited). I think people like shopping for kids. Know I will not cry if I dont get an invite ;D
    Love, Friend with house whom doesnt fit a party of 50+

    • Allie @ The Practically Green Mom

      Yeah, I think that’s what I’m going to have to do. Also, a lot of the guest list is out-of-towners. I almost feel like I shouldn’t waste an invitation on someone who I know won’t come! I wish there was a tactful way to find out if they could make it beforehand…hmmm.

  • http://seworganizedblog.wordpress.com Lauren E

    The moment my daughter’s 2nd birthday was over I started thinking about her 3rd. Mostly because April and May (when her birthday falls) is typically a really busy time of year for me. If I don’t plan ahead there’s no hope to get everything done.

    I can tell you that we went all out with the guest list for the first birthday. I just felt like that was a big birthday. The second we pretty much kept it to family, really close friends, and a few friends with kids. Many of them couldn’t come because it was over memorial day weekend. I also try to schedule it outisde of a meal time. That way I’m not pressured to provide an entire meal. You can do a brunch time (10-11 ish) or afternoon 2-3ish and not have to provide a meal as people will probably have eaten before coming. Or you can just state cake and punch on the invite. Providing a meal is what I find most stressful and expensive, since I make most of the decorations I use.

    If you had told me ahead of time I could have made some decorations for you (I have a few cute monkey shapes on my Cricut). I’m always looking for things to do over the summer. I can do banners, cut outs, yarn wrapped or paper letters, and many other things you might be able to find on pinterest. So next year, if you have choosen a theme, I’ll make you some stuff in June/July!

    • Allie @ The Practically Green Mom

      Yeah, I’m starting to calm down now. lol

      We’ve already got the date and time figured out, and it’s after lunch. The invitations are done, too, I just didn’t have enough printed (but I’ve figured out a solution for that!) My sister has volunteered to make cupcakes and some decorations. I found a friend that thinks she can make the t-shirt I wanted for DS. It’s coming together now. :)

      I honestly don’t think we’ll have the huge turnout I’m fearing because it’s over Labor Day weekend. Or everyone will come because of that, and that’s ok too. I should be be happy that so many people love my little boy so much that they want to share this moment. No one is going to remember what the cake looked like, or what decorations were on the wall. They’re going to remember the mischievous smile on my little guy’s face as he dives into that cake and smears it everywhere. lol

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