parties

Your baby's first birthday is coming up. Plenty of parents make a big production out of the milestone. So “is it wrong if you’re not throwing a first birthday party?” Circle of Moms member Terrie R. wonders. “My daughter's first birthday is tomorrow and we didn't make any plans for a first birthday party or anything,” she frets.

Kristel, another member with a soon-to-be one-year-old, is a little more resolute. "What is the real reason for putting out all this money into a child's first birthday?" she wonders.

If you're approaching your baby's first birthday with questions  like Terrie's and Kristel's, rest assured. Here, Circle of Moms share five reasons why you needn't throw a big first birthday bash.

1. Your Baby Won’t Remember It

“I must admit I think it's pretty pointless having a party for a child’s first birthday, as they don't remember it,” says Michelle B. Her daughters didn’t have their first “proper” party until they were in pre-school and made friends of their own.

2. The Money is Better Spend on Other Things

Kristel, the member who voiced concerns about the expense of throwing a big party for her baby daughter, feels that the money would be better spent elsewhere, like on "her education, or her next birthday party, [one] she would remember."

Rashmi R. and a member who calls herself "Phoenix Rising" agree. They both point out that it’s actually smarter to save the money for a big bash when your child is old enough to remember the festivities. After all, when she's in school, she will insist on celebrating her birthday with a party because all of her friends are doing so.

3. The Party Isn't Really for the Baby

To be honest, the first birthday party is more for adults than the kids, says Nicky. It’s really the parents, grandparents and friends who are celebrating, not the birthday baby, says Erin C. This is why first birthday parties typically wind up feeling like a picnic or barbecue with friends and family, rather than a kid’s party, as Jodi observes.

4. Crowds Overwhelm Babies

Big parties are also notorious for upsetting the birthday baby, who may get tired as the party goes on, or may get upset with all the people surrounding her, says Eva D. Many moms agree with her that 1-year-olds typically can’t handle big crowds.

Catherine R., for one, threw a first birthday party for her eldest son and says he didn’t enjoy it at all. “He wanted to just do his normal, everyday routine and play with his new toys,” she shares. When her second son turned one, she just took him out for lunch with his uncles and grandparents. This way of celebrating was so much better that she's now planning the same type of outing for her third son’s first birthday.

5. There Are Better Ways to Commemorate the Day

As Catherine's story illustrates, there are many good ways other than parties to acknowledge the milestone of your baby's first birthday. Zoe K. recalls that she and her daughter had a fun, unplanned adventure together, chasing a snowstorm and stopping in at different cafes along the way. Darling P. is taking her family on a vacation. And Ali W. recommends simply making sure to capture your child on camera doing something cute or even just eating a single cupcake, so that you preserve a memory of her special day for a photo album.

After all, says Jessica B., the most important thing about the first birthday is not the party but rather the acknowledgment of “how truly blessed you are to reach this milestone,” and that your child is “healthy and beautiful."

Image Source: Jerad Hill Photographer via Flickr/Creative Commons

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, POPSUGAR.

What kind of present should you give a newly minted three-year-old? Whether you're celebrating the birthday of your own child or a friend's, these ten creative and affordable gift ideas for three-year-olds are sure to wow the preschoolers in your life. 

Technology Gifts

With kids getting into technology at younger and younger ages, many parents choose educational technology gifts for three-year-olds. Contrary to what you might think, there's no need to break the bank on electronic learning toys. Kimberly W. got her daughter a mini-computer with 30 pre-programmed learning games for about $50. You can find similar products by several brands, including Leap Frog and V-Tech, at multiple online retailers. 

Nicole's W. daughter is obsessed with cameras, so she's getting a Fisher-Price camera for kids, available on eBay for as little as $25. They are practically indestructible, and you can even download and print your child's images.

Low-Tech Magic

Your child may already know his way around an iPad, but nothing delights like old-fashioned simplicity. Julie H. is getting her son a goldfish as a gift! He recently visited SeaWorld, and Julie wants to continue to teach him about animals, nature, and responsibility.

Elizabeth is going the same back-to-basics route by getting her daughter an art easel for her birthday. She loves to draw, and this gift will both encourage her and give her a larger palette on which to explore her creativity. You can find these at your local art-supply store, or online at prices that range from $30-$100. 

Meghan's daughter loves to help her parents cook, so she is getting her a play kitchen, a gift I can vouch for. My son's grandparents got him a play kitchen more than a year ago, and even though he goes in and out of playing with it every day, he always returns to it to "bake a cake" for me or "wash some vegetables." 

Musical instruments are also a good choice in this category; you can find real flutes, drums, and other percussion instruments at very inexpensive prices.

Mind-Stretching Toys

Nicole chose a multifaceted approach: she wrapped up several smaller, inexpensive gifts that are educational and that emphasize different aspects of her son's development: play dough, matching games, and puzzles. 

Other great choices that encourage development and exploration include art supplies like crayons, sidewalk chalk, scissors, and construction paper.

Another classic? Books, of course. We tend to check books out of the library, but we keep a small rotating collection of special books that our son likes to read over and over again, as well as books we loved as children.

Outdoor Toys

Most three-year-olds are little balls of infinite energy, making outdoor-activity toys excellent gifts. Many parents, like Elizabeth C., are going with the classic gift: the bike. Outdoor toys can get expensive, so Amanda C. recommends checking at a high-quality used-toy store for a good deal on a kid's bike. I got my own son a new balance bike when he was two-and-a-half, and he only used it for about six months before graduating to a pedal bike, so a used one would've been a smarter option.

Whatever you decide to go with, keep your choices aligned with the child's own interests and your gifts will be sure to please!

Image Source: Courtesy of JB Colorado via Flickr/Creative Commons

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, POPSUGAR.

Like many moms, Beth B. wants her six-year-old’s upcoming birthday party to be not only fun, but memorable and meaningful. She wants to know: “Can you plan an educational and entertaining party... on a budget? “

Circle of Moms members have shared tons of terrific ideas for hosting a unique, budget-minded birthday party for your grade school-aged child. Here are five of the best, from a make-believe animal hospital to a homespun karaoke session.

1. Field Trips

You can't go wrong if you “let your child’s interests be your guide," says Laurie R. She created an “Aquarium to Go" party for a small group of her six-year-old daughter’s friends, making a trek to a nearby museum. After touring the aquarium the kids were sent home with sea-themed favors. “This party was so loved that we did it two years in a row,” enthuses Laurie. The second year she called the party “Under the Sea,” and decorated with shells.

Beth B. headed to the zoo with her daughter’s friends. The party included meeting with an animal handler who introduced the kids to several small animals. “She told them interesting facts, let them touch, pet or hold the animals, and the kids asked a ton of questions,” shares Beth. “She also gave each child a set of animal trading cards and an animal stamp, plus a free ticket to the zoo."

Tanya B. used the occasion of her 10-year-old daughter’s birthday to share a lesson in sustainability. “We went to the local organic farm and fed the animals,” she says.

2. All About Pets

When Jesse K.’s six-year-old son begged his mom for a dog, she decided to organize his birthday party around the theme of puppy adoption. She bought a bunch of plush dogs and set up stations with syringes (for pretend puppy immunizations), a thermometer, grooming brushes, and dog treats.

”Upon arrival, each child chose a pet for adoption. They chose a name and made a tag for the ribbon collar,” Jesse reports. The kids then visited different stations with their new pets for "puppy checkups." Not only did they have a great time, but "the kids learned a lot."

3. Military Training

Jennifer Y.’s son loves the military, so she turned his birthday party into a U.S. Army-themed bash, with G.I. Joes and an obstacle course. “It was like a real military training...they had to jump over a hay wall and run through tunnels.” She even recruited an enlisted serviceman, a “Real Life G.I. Joe,” to lead the exercises and have the boys “salute the flag and learn very basic things they would in the military.” The verdict? It was "a huge hit,” she says.

4. The Sound of Music

Jeannine R.’s son loves music, so for his eighth birthday party she decided to share his love of singing and playing instruments with his friends. “We did some karaoke and made microphones,” she says. "The kids said they had the best time ever.”

5. Support a Cause

Beth B. recommends another option, best for older kids: Make the party an excuse to do some good in their community or to champion a cause they are passionate about. Her suggestions are: "Clothes for Foster Kids, Care Packages for Persons Serving Our Country, Socks for the Homeless, or Helping with Local Red Cross Efforts... there are so many to choose from."

What's the best kid party you've ever thrown?

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The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, POPSUGAR.

We're excited to present a trendspotting post from Alana and Sara, designers behind the chic Australian party goods and stationery company Poppies For Grace.

Rainbow Multi

Poppies For Grace creates rainbow button envelopes and confetti bagstissue balls. We see this trend in fashion event decorations, stationery, upholstery, and almost everywhere we turn. We started producing the multi colored envelope packs around the same time as Japanese washi tape was becoming hugely popular in Australia.

We think this is the perfect time in color history for us, as we love to wear brights. That means there is an abundance of choices, which is something we haven’t seen before.

Our color choices take inspiration from floristry art. The perfect bright bouquets get us very excited! Nature has always been the key inspiration in our designs as we look forward to Spring each year, and keep the Spring feel alive in our studio year round with bright colors.

Having children has also heightened our love of color. We want their children to be surrounded by color, which symbolically represents celebration, glee, merriment, joy, and extravagance.

Pastels, Neon, Metallic

These combinations are the pairing of great friends. Two are loud and totally extraverted, while the other is quieter and softer. While they are different, all are full of beauty and bring different elements to decoration.

Confetti System got this party started with their beautiful garlands. Poppies For Grace is about to release a print entitled 'Hope" in gold. The print features sweet wooden animals, which are sparkly and rich.

Thanks ladies! We're wondering, what are our readers seeing as Spring and Summer trends?

In the “old days” of my childhood, our moms carpooled us to birthday parties with our school friends. One parent would drop the gang off; the other would drive them home. Moms loved it because they got a little time off. But today it seems parties and play dates are a lot more complicated for parents to figure out, especially when it comes to deciding whether to stay or go.

This is the case with Circle of Moms member Erin V. Ever since her daughter was in preschool, Erin has accompanied her to parties and play dates. But now that her daughter is 5, she realizes there may be times when dropping her off would make more sense. “I typically assumed that I should tag along, but now I’m getting the feeling that it’s less common for moms to stay at parties,” she says.

Like many moms, Erin wonders “How young is too young?” Here, Circle of Moms members share five issues to consider when deciding when you no longer should stay with your child at a party or play date.

What's the Right Age?

Unfortunately, there’s not a clear-cut answer, moms agree. A lot depends on a child’s age and temperament, and many moms, including Allison, say five or six-years-old is the threshold. But, Allison also says she’s surprised “because at many of the parties I’ve brought my six-year-old to I’ve been expected to stay.” Dropping off a six-year-old was normal when she was a kid, she says.

Krista E. agrees. “With young kids, I would definitely stick around, if for no other reason than to give the poor parents a hand,” she says. “But once they are over six or so, I would just drop him off and off I'd go.”

Will Your Child Be Comfortable?

While age is a big factor in making the decision to stay with your child or leave a party or play date, personality is an even bigger factor, says Heather. “I suggest having a play date in a neutral location like a park and hanging out a little while to meet the other parents and make sure your kids play together okay before you would leave,” she says. “My son is six and last year was the first year I allowed him to go to a friend’s house without me, but I did know them first.”

A Circle of Moms member named Sapphire employed a similar tactic, sticking around long enough to make sure her son was comfortable. “I stayed for a good 30 minutes to chit-chat with the parents to get to know them, and then I took off,” she says. “Last weekend was another birthday party and I planned to drop him (her five-year-old) off, but he didn’t feel comfortable with me leaving, so I stayed. It was actually nice because I got a chance to meet some of the other moms form my son's class."

What Kind of Party Is It?

Several Circle of Moms members also point out that a lot depends on the nature of the birthday party or the play date itself. November, who has twin eight-year-olds, believes, “It depends on if I know the parents or not and where the party is being held." As she goes on to explain, “It has to be a place where you know your children will be safe and you feel comfortable," such as at the home of close friends.

When In Doubt, Ask the Host

Many moms feel that it’s the host’s responsibility to state clearly on the invitation or play date ask whether parents should accompany their child. But Angie B. suggests that if the host parents haven't stated a preference, parents should ask whether they should stay.

“I would ask the mom when you RSVP for the party or play date,” says Angie B. “Some moms can handle a large group of children alone and some of us like to have a little help. I stopped going to my children's birthday parties and play dates when my child was about five.”

Why Some Parents Prefer to Stay

There are many moms who say that parents should attend under all circumstances and insist on tagging along no matter what the child’s age. Heather H. accompanies her three kids, ages five, eight and 12, to all birthday parties, play dates and school activities, except under “very special” circumstances.

“I only drop off my kids if they ask me not to stay and I am completely comfortable with the family they would be staying with,” she explains, adding that she leaves her contact information and “makes sure I’ve introduced myself.”

Saying it is a safety issue, April D. is adamant about staying. “These days there are sexual predators on every corner and even a relative can be a predator,” she says. “I would not leave my five or six-year-old at a party. I don't care if I’m the only mother staying.”

On the flip side, as the party hostess, Michelle W. says, “If I throw a party for my kids I do not want to be used as a babysitting service. Parents should be there." She feels there are some exceptions, "but for the most part parents should help take care of their own children at events.”

What age would you drop your child off at a party or play date?

Image Source: Sean Drielinger via Flickr/Creative Commons

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, POPSUGAR.