Hi there! I had close family with my little's ones first Birthday. So at the time she was the first grandchild.
I only had a big party when she was 3 as then there was more friends and family that had children. And yes i did do the party pack thing and still do. Obviously i bought the treats that suited their age. Like for example this year (4 Years) i gave a Packet of chips, fruit gums, chomp chocolate, litttle cooldrink & blowing bubbles. I also got the packet that suited the theme which was bratz. I also made all the food for the party. Cupcakes, Birthday Cake, mini pizza's, quishe's, mini sausage rolls, sammies, then bought chips, sweets etc..

Perhaps if you give the theme we can give you ideas for decorations? If its going to be an indoor or outdoor party? Got other ideas for food too.

i also want to make a parrty for my 1 yr daugher Zinto but i was thing of inviting children like 3,4,5 because she is very young to have friends.

At least a can buy party packs,,,

Im also planin my son's b.day next mth. Excitd. Bt nt sure hw big/small it shud b. All i knw is he wnt rem it and dnt wana b 2xtravagant.. Any advice ?

I'm currently in the planning stages for Boobah's third birthday. I can tell you some of what we did for his first two parties (yes, I'm that kind of mommy who likes parties :D

Anyhoo, for his first birthday, we went to the Bunny Park in Benoni. The venue is free and the kids can run around and play and do their own thing as well as enjoy the party. Boobah has a LOT of cousins and nieces and nephews and they all range between 1 and 4 (at that stage). Boobah could walk, so we had a fun time. The theme of the party was Cars, and I made party packs for the kids in Cars lunch tins, which also then doubled up as their take home gift. Although, this is a personal choice and should not be obligatory - the take home gift, I mean. I put small sweets and chips, but also healthy snacks like Melrose cheesies and crackers and fruit sticks. The kids loved it.

For his second birthday, we went to Kidz World Indoor play centre in Boksburg. They provided all the tables and chairs and even party packs. Lunch for the kids were also included - viennas and chips I think it was. It worked out relatively cheap, for a two hour party. And the kids got to rid themselves of all their excess energy. Again I gave them take home gifts, but this time just a bottle of Non-Toxic bubbles.

This year, I'm planning on having the party at home and make it a drop off party. I do not feel like entertaining the parents as well. We're getting a jumping castle for the kids and feeding them hot dogs. I'm again trying not to go too excessive with the whole party though. We're looking at having about 17 - 20 kids with around 6 adults watching over them. I'm also including Boobah in the decision making for his party this year.

Good luck for your party. And happy birthday for your little one. And congratulations for surviving the first year of parenthood!

I totally love parties and as there is such a huge amount of stuff these days for children parties i am spending way to much money. we are having my sons first birthday party this weekend on 13 & 14 march. it is 'n noddy theme. yesterday i baked cookies in the shape of a car (suppose to be noddy's car) which i am going to put onto sticks later this week. it is easy for a 1 year old to keep the stick in his hand while eating / messing with the cookie.

i have bought noddy party packs and will put ceres juice, chomp, flings in it. the cake will be a noddy car with a noddy doll in it. going to do that on thursday.

13 march we are having all the 1 year olds (13 children) from toptots (playgroup) and our antenanal class. (our antenatal class this gets together)

14 march it is going to be all our friends with children ages 2 - 5. (9 kids).

its going to be at our house and we are going to have a gazebo in the garden.

the parents are welcome and i going to give them cupcake / small chickenpie (bite size) / small sausage rolls and cooldrink. no lunch or anything fancy.

the first party is MOSTLY for the parent and just a few photos for the little one as they obviously will not appreciate or remember it. but i love parties so i am really enjoying the planing of everything.

if you want to do nothing just get a cake to blow the candle and some flings for the birthday one to take a few pics. i am also fond of photos so my children will have lots of pictures of themselves. tiaan is already on album nr. 2

enjoy!!!! they grow up so quickly!!!

I think that's a great idea for that age, many parents don't like such littlies eating sweets.

Annabel Karmel was my great stand-by when my kids were little. Her recipes are wholesome but tasty too.