Veronica, ... We went ' all out ' with our only child's 1st b'day party (our daughter Cendrine)

... She took some years to arrive (I had her at 40), so I guess it was a personal celebration for DP & I too

We invited about 93 people & guessing about 50 or 60 came !!

Party started at 1pm (many were traveling far to get to the party) & we had the hall all night if we wanted. But most started leaving about 4pm, some 5pm. Which was great as we were so tired & wanted to go crash.

... Had it in a hall as we remembered her actual birth-day was a cold one. Lucky we didn't have a marque in the backyard like we originally decided as it turned out her 1st b'day party was raining & freezing cold (the hall was fantastic, cost us $80 to hire, was big & very clean, & plenty of heating. We were so warm some guests asked to turn some heaters off, LOL).

We didn't have a theme as such. We had 1st b'day balloons & banner. But we chose the colours more as a theme. Bright Orange (DP's fav colour) & Hot Pink (seeing she is a girl).

Sadly my parents couldn't come. So, we had fish & star decorations, etc ...here & there. My Dad's nickname for her is "Little Fish" & Mum's is "Little Star".

We had alcohol at the party as I was pregnant with her on my 40th b'day party ... So, I said it was making up for that, hee hee

Did a BBQ (hamburgers, sausages, kebabs), had tons of salads, sliced bread & bread rolls, hot foods like homemade sausage rolls & party pies & pizza wheels. For desserts we had everything you could possibly imagine (it was worth watching the kids eyes light up there).

I would suggest to use the Birthday Cake as part of the desserts

I not only gave loot/party bags to the children BUT also the Adults. If they were a couple I gave them one to share. I can't tell you what a hit it was with the adults ...They LOVED that idea !!

... To be honest, DP & I were so stuffed & tired because we had to do the entire party on own (as we live far away from everyone).

We didn't feel like we had anytime to spend with our daughter on her special day
But, luckily her actual b'day was the next day (a Sunday) & it was just us "3"

*** I would suggest if you are going to go ' big ' with a party DON'T do it on your child's actual birthday !!!!!!! ***

We have NO regrets because it made us so HAPPY that so many people that came to the party were still talking about it a year later what a GREAT time they had And we were happy the party wasn't on her actual birthday.

DON'T FORGET YOU NEED TO " ENJOY" THEIR BIRTHDAY TOO !!!!!