Just trying to decide how to celebrate our sons 1st birthday/our first year as parents and wondered what ideas you guys may have? Would like it to be outside (Mid august so hopefully weather good), our garden is a little unsafe for small children to run around but we are close to the beach. Also we have a no plastic policy when it come to toys and wondering how people have found communitcating this to people who may not have the same approach. tahnsk in adavance for your ideas, i’ve got 3 weeks to sort it!

For both our boys first birthdays we just invited families around, one was out for a sunday lunch and the other was a trip to a local ice cream farm with grandparents, simple and nice.

The presents thing we have struggeled with getting our message across. Most of the people that would be buying presents don’t have the same way of thinking as us.  Rowan will be 4 in September and finally people are getting the message!  We have asked freinds not to buy presents, at which a lot of them either ignored us or got insulted!  And MIL will just buy any old crap that she thinks the kids will love, pity it goes to the charity shop as soon as the novelty wears off (which is pretty quick!)  She has got the message now after noticing that they don’t have any of her presents anymore!

I think you just have to be really honest and say you would rather that he has no presents than plastic ones, or maybe give them the myraid catalouge and a wish list (this is what my mum likes to do)

how about suggesting, ............ has more toys then they could play with but we always enjoy a story book.

i would suggest a picnic somewhere< could you had for natural shelter such a dence wood is rain really bad ?

Hello, we just had our little boys birthday, and here are some ideas for you perhaps:
We planted an Oak tree with the grandparents in their garden, had a bring your own picnic in my local park, with a home made sugar free cake for the babies. We said NO GIFTS, just contributions to the wooden cooker fund please. Some people were a bit miffed, but most really inspired. If you make this clear ( i did this via funny little invites) people will understand your choice.
Good luck, and have a fab day!
Babs
X

thanks guys. Think we are going to go with a picnic idea, like the bring your own, or a plate to share idea. I have also decied to ask people bring a square of fabric which they think would appeal to D so that i can sew them altogether to make patchwork blanket for him. Just found out today about a forest school which has started locally so think i might ask people not do give gifts but make a donation to us being able to book a series of sessions there. Going to arrange a trial session next week hopefully…am v. excited! love and peace x

I am reading this with interest as I have to come up with something, but have 6 weeks to think about it.
The thing I am stressing over is the cake making.  Never made a cake in my life, and I have decided to make one for littles big day!!!!
Cant believe a year has almost gone by for us.  Where has the time gone?????

Hope you enjoy your day Niknaknoo

We took little one to the London Aquarium as he loves the fish and had a picnic on the grass right next to it. There is also a nice little play park there.
Not being Londoners we got the train up and back and afterwards thought we had been a bit stupid being as Hubby’s mate got a job at the local sealife centre so can get us in free and if we had walked there is grass and a playpark on the way!
I blame pregnancy hormones getting me over excited!
Anyone need any help with cake ideas for these events give me a theme and i normally can come up with some ideas (my mum is a cake maker so I have picked up a trick or two!)