Well, we are only a few weeks away from our mackerdoodle’s first birthday. Now, before having children (you know, when we were the experts) we said that we saw no point in celebrating a first birthday. I mean, honestly, the child doesn’t remember it, it’s just for parents.
Now that we are parents, we certainly want to celebrate her first birthday, but it is still clearly just a celebration for us.
Oh, and grandparents, but mackerdoodle’s grandparents aren’t planning to be here for her first birthday. In fact, we don’t have any family close enough to drive down just to watch a toddler put cake on her face and play with wrapping paper. So we’re back to wondering what is the point in celebrating a first birthday?
Of course we’ll do the requisite cupcake for the standard food picture to be e-mailed to all of those distant relatives, but other than that, it just seems like a lot of fuss for someone who would probably prefer to cuddle up on our laps and hear “I Love My Daddy Because . . .” for the eleventy billionth time.
How would you feel if you were invited to a first birthday party for a child to whom you were not related, and with whom none of your children shared an age? (that would define ALL of our friends) Doesn’t that just sound like “come to my home for the sole purpose of bringing my daughter a present?”
What do you think?
Sandi said,
July 21, 2008 at 10:47 pm
Every baby is worth celebrating… and a first birthday is a big deal! I love to celebrate birthdays - sometimes it drives my husband crazy because it seems that we celebrate each child’s birthday for a month (between the family dinner, the themed kid party and the special “actually-on-the-birthday” lunch)! If we were there we would be thrilled to come and celebrate your daughter’s life and health… and if you are concerned about the gifts, just ask people to make a donation instead. One of my friends asks people to bring items to fill a shoebox (Operation Christmas Child) and her kids fill MANY shoeboxes at Christmas time. Another friend invited the families of all of her son’s classmates out for a day of hay rides, etc and requested no gifts - a day with his friends was enough for them. Wish your daughter a VERY happy birthday … and a blessed year!!
Wendy said,
July 22, 2008 at 1:03 am
Dearest Coralie
I wish I were closer as I would come to her birthday celebration. It would wonderful to celebrate Macerdoodles birthday as I’m sure you remember the joy you felt when you had her. Everyone who knows you were so very happy for you both when you had the baby. Every baby is a blessing, a treasure and a joy to celebrate. I would think that your friends would be very happy to celebrate with you. It doesn’t matter that she won’t remember, but you will and it will become part of your family stories to her.
I agree with all of Sandi’s ideas.
Give her a hug and kiss from me on her birthday - oh I really mean all the time but just more on her birthday.
Love Wendy
PS I love baby cheeks and enjoy kissing them.
Kristi-Anna said,
July 22, 2008 at 7:36 am
I would come. Parties are fun! You’ll scrapbook it (face it, what is the first year album without the birthday party at the end?! LOL) and enjoy yourselves.
My friend has folks bring stuffed animals to her dd’s first bday party, and they donated them to the local police/fire departments to hand out to children in distress. The Christmas Child thing is a great idea too!! Zachary’s friend had his 6th birthday party this year, and asked for donations so he could help buy 2 hens and a rooster through World Vision - he got enuf for a rooster, 2 hens, a goat, a pig, and medical supplies!
ENJOY THE DAY!
Terri said,
July 22, 2008 at 8:25 am
Well, since you asked . . . Personally, I agree with the above comments that a first birthday is worth celebrating. You know we would come to any party for little Mackerdoodle. I have had first birthday parties for Becca and Bethany and I would do it for any child.
True, it’s not for the child at THAT time, but I will say that both my girls have really enjoyed looking at pictures of their first birthday parties and hearing me share little anecdotes about that day with them. No, they don’t remember, but I do. And those memories are sweet. We didn’t have family near us when we lived in Savannah, but I had a party for Becca so our friends who were like family could help us celebrate here first year.
Think of it this way, too. This is one time when you can give little Mackerdoodle a big bash that won’t leave her expecting it year after year.
As for gifts, you could always say not to bring any, or do something suggested in the above comments. I’ll do whatever you request in lieu of gifts, but even so, Mackerdoodle WILL be getting a gift from me party or not, yes ma’am she will and don’t even try to stop me!
If anyone SHOULD be giving a party in celebration of a first birthday, it would be y’all. It’s more of celebration of God’s blessing on you after so many years of waiting for a baby. I knew of a couple who couldn’t have kids and finally after years and years adopted a baby and when the first birthday rolled around, they gathered all their friends and family in a celebration of thanksgiving for the child they had wanted for so long. Yeah, they said “no gifts please” and yeah people brought them anyway because they wanted to.
But I do like the World Vision idea mentioned above, too.
I say have a party. Invite us, of course. Celebrate little Mac’s first year in your life. Insist on no gifts if you really are worried about it, but look at it as a way to celebrate with the friends that have been part of her first year. Have her daddy give a little speech to clarify the real reason for the party if you like, but HAVE A PARTY!!!! (Have I talked you into it yet?)
Whatever you decide, I’m still buying that baby a gift!!!
Donna Long said,
July 22, 2008 at 9:30 am
Birthdays are any age are for celebrating. Lots of friends, fun, and frolic. That very first one is a milestone. It will take your baby rapidly into toddlerhood. She will not be a baby any longer. Mark the day with joy. Of course, have a party and count us in! Please!
a suburban housewife said,
July 23, 2008 at 12:50 pm
Um, NO!! It’s not wrong for you to invite people who are not Mac’s age! So many people prayed for her and longed for her with you and Jonathan. I think an occasion like this is also a good reminder that we serve a gracious and loving Father who gives us good gifts. Mac is such a tangible expression of answered prayer
julie said,
July 25, 2008 at 7:04 am
Your friends would probably be slightly upset if you didn’t invite them hehe…Of course they should bring presents if they want, aren’t you providing cake? That’s the trade off!
Not That I Needed to Give You A Reason . . . But If I Did, This Would Be It « Life More Abundantly said,
August 5, 2008 at 10:33 pm
[...] a huge birthday party for the mackerdoodle. I know, I know. Based on the comments section the last time I mentioned this, most of you are speed dialing Family and Children’s Services as you read this. but slow [...]