a low stress 1st birthday party

do you ever get overwhelmed when thinking about birthday party planning? well, i do! there is sooo much cute party inspiration online nowadays. sometimes i wonder how moms actually have time to plan all of these details!

this morning i want to share this low-stress 1st birthday party that Morgan hosted for her daughter, Shilah. i love that she called the birthday “a birthday HAPPY HOUR!” it looks fun and relaxing- there is lots of space for kids to run around and lots of seating for the adults to sit down and chat!

here is a little description from Morgan about the party:

I went against my very-detailed-party-planning self and hosted an outdoor gig. I thought your readers may appreciate the thought of an airy, low-stress party.

I appreciate the details and the sentiments but the thought of talking to thirty people at your own house while you’re keeping an eye on your perfect cookie tray to make sure you shouldn’t replenish with round two of snacks yet, and trying to make sure a toddler doesn’t try to scale a floorlamp or trip over the back door threshold, and… where is the birthday girl, anyway? all that…sounds exhausting.

So, my husband and I set out for a birthday bash outside at a third-party location. My only decor was a half dozen helium balloons that I purchased on a whim the day before. They had lost all helium by party time.

Our goals were:
*To be able to invite a lot of people
*To have a low-stress celebration
*To keep our costs reasonable

Check, check, and check! We headed to Central Market, an upscale grocery store with a park, playground and tons of outdoor seating. Jon and I arrived about 15 minutes early, bought equal parts beer, bottled water, and cupcakes, and pushed some tables together outside while all four grandparents dressed and transported the birthday girl to the fiesta.

This birthday was made possible by Texas weather, where we get 70-degree spring days in January

morgannorris.wordpress.com

Categories: Birthday Parties

Posted by: spearmint baby

Comments (12)

2:14 pm March 29, 2011
Hana

What a fun, relaxing alternative to a huge detailed party! Love the invite, so fun!
9:41 pm March 29, 2011
Tiah

This is a good idea. The first birthday is more for the parents I think, so to make it a relaxing party that adults will have fun at is a great idea.
2:42 pm March 30, 2011
Shannon and Jon

Hey! This is in my town.
8:38 pm January 4, 2012
kate

Hello! I’m just curious about where you got these invitations from. I am dying to know. My songs birthday is coming up in a month and I need these. haha thanks!
-Kate
9:50 pm March 29, 2012
Amanda Piper

I love the invitations, too! Did you make them?
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5:24 pm December 16, 2012
Leanna

Can you PLEASE let me know where you ordered these or if you made them…how to flip the text? Thanks!!!!
11:00 pm January 5, 2013
Bethany Jacobson

I love the invitations! Did you make them or order them? If order…where from?
8:13 pm January 12, 2013
Sarah Todman

We’re having “Harper hosts a HappyHour” in feb! I love the invites! Where did you get the template?
2:52 am January 24, 2013
Annemarie

I’d also love to know how you did the invitations – they’re awesome! Thank you!
9:03 am May 3, 2013
Cynthia

This is SO smart!! Where can I get this invitation?!
3:06 pm May 19, 2013
Bethany

This would save me soooo much stress! I love this idea! Could you share how you made your invitations please??