Aleina's First Birthday Preparation - Key Elements

The Venue

It was 3 months before Aleina's birthday when I started to do some research of what I should do for her party. I've dropped the idea of going back too Philippines to celebrate her first birthday there due to financial reasons. If we will do it there, we'll expend for our air tickets (3 adults and an infant), plus fare to buses or rent a van, plus our daily expenses there and plus plus Aleina's party will be gonna big, as in big. For my estimates, I might have at least 100 guests (kids and adults) for her birthday, so we will need more money. So immediately drop it!

At first, I was thinking is to where is the best place for venue? In our house or rented out a venue. Pros and Cons...

Venue @ Home

+ can save more money

+ you can have more time to decorate

+ less transportation expense

+ Aleina is familiarize in this place so she might not be afraid if other or more people come in

+ If she naps, she will have a more good rest

+ can setup the room for the children to play

+ no time limit, can setup the xbox or videoke for the adult

- limited people can only seat.

- it might be crowded if invited more quests

- need to clean before and after the party

Venue @ The Studio (second attempt)

+ no need to pay for the rent but the expenses for food per pax is about $15

+ will be given 30minutes before the party to do the decoration

+ need to transfer all the things from our house to this venue, including decorations, etc

+ Aleina is not familiarize in this place, she might not want it

+ If she naps, she may not have a good nap/rest. Possible to throw tantrums during her party

+ No play area for the children

+ maximum of 4 hours, no extension unless we'll pay for it

- about 40 guests can be seatted althroughout the party

- The possibility of being crowded is always there coz it depends on the number of guests.

- no need to clean the area

For the above reasons, I decided to do the party at home. Since I'll be planning to used my (3 days) annual leave, I've plenty of time to do the cleaning in the entire house :). So, I am already ok with this. And besides, Albert already agreed of what I think of!

Choosing of the Theme

I initially want a theme party for my baby for the reason that all the planning will only commence if you have a theme. This time, I am now again closed with Mr. Google! I have tons and tons of researcha and ideas of what theme should I choose. Anyway, at the age of 1 Aleina cannot choose of what theme she wants. Though Aleina doesn't much appreciate this party or doesn't even remembered any single thing, I still want to throw this party for her coz I know in the future, she might not even remember but she can see it in the photos. How we've celebrated it. Life is short so I will enjoy every moment of it, with her!

First theme that comes to my mind was:

(1) a Garden theme - coz I bought a wall decal/stickers during Baby Fair which has the garden designs (bugs, bee, flower, etc)

(2) blocks - was little amaze of other party having this theme

(3) the Minnie Mouse (with Mickey Mouse) - since I was thinking of double birthday celebration (Aleina's first birthday and Albert's bday too)

(4) BumbleBee - Rio suggested this theme coz she thinks that Aleina is cute in her bee outfit. (We've got a home photoshoot last year when Aleina was 2 months old and wearing bee costume).

As for these theme, I've consulted my hubby which theme he would like most; and he choose Minnie Mouse. And to him, we could only celebrate Aleina's birthday alone, he doesn't want to mention his birthday if possible. But his main concern is Aleina should always be the highlight or focus of this celebration.

Sticking with Minnie Mouse theme, I've done more research on this. I found a very nice website called - http://catchmyparty.com ; where people from around the world share tips and ideas of what they've done with their parties. To be honest, I'm just looking at their photos... downloading here and there... and I'm having so much fun hahahaha.

Determining Date and Time

I was undecided of what date should we celebrate my baby's birthday coz Aleina's birthday falls on Monday (July 15) and Albert's birthday falls on Wednesday (July 17). Yes only 1 day apart! I had 2 options to choose:

•     Post Birthday Celebration - Saturday, 20 July
•     Pre Birthday Celebration - Sunday, 14 July

In the Philippines, if we cannot celebrate in the actual birthday then mostly celebrated it as post celebration while in Singapore is different, they mostly preferred it to be "pre celebration".

   

After so much considetation and discussing this with my beloved husband, we've decided to do it on Sunday 14th of July. Anyway, I'll be having 1 day before the party so I can make preparation and will have 3 more days to clean the aftermath and will just think that the next day is Aleina's actual birthday. So it is just right!

Since the celebrant is still very young and having more nap, I've considered to set the party after her nap time, so mort probably between 2-6pm. Ideally, I would have a short party for about 2-3hours.

Guests

Since we are too far from our family and relatives, as we're celebrating it here in Singapore. My number of guests might be around 30, more or less for adult, and 13 or less kids of ages 1-11 years old. Here, we have only 1 family - Ate Grace and her family, that's all! But we have quite a number of friends here, living and working here. They are also invited as our guests, including my colleagues, Aleina's godparents and Albert's colleagues.