The First Birthday Party

Sep 28th, 2008 | By jeffcaswell | Category: Uncategorized

OK…so my daughter is 11.5 months…which means her first birthday party is days away.  I don’t remember my first birthday party, but if the pictures of that event tell a story, it is that it was a simple affair.  My family and my parent’s neighbors were there.  There was a cake and there was candles.  And I am sure it was super fun.

But this is 2008, and birthdays are no longer simply a way to get family together to mark a passing of a year.  Birthday parties are EVENTS.  Cakes are no longer slightly burnt made at home affairs…they are bakery crafted works of art.  Entertainment is no longer singing and party favors…they are rented jumping houses…and the guest list reads more like a society event then a list of uncles, aunts and cousins.

But I love 2008…and I love my daughter.  So I am diving right in and I am excited to celebrate my little joy’s birthday.  And given that we are Canadians living in the USA, we of coarse will be flying to Toronto for a second party with our family and Canadian friends…more designer cakes…and another jumping house. 

But at the end of the day, the best moments are those laughing together and teaching our daughter how to clap, laugh, jump and walk.  That is what we will remember in 30 years…not the parties.

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  • Agreed. The best moments are throughout the entirety of your relationship.

    We've hosted a bunch of parties for our kids. Some years none, other years a few (four kids now). But they've ALWAYS been about inviting families. Not just the kids.

    Not that there's anything wrong with having a big party at the super-awesome-massive-climbing-gym-playtime-place with half a hundred kids racing around hyped on the red stuff :).

    But for us, it's always been about getting together with our friends and their kids. We've been blessed to have friends who began families the same time as us, and met others along the way. But also others will come, single cousins and friends, couples, etc.

    Fellowship. That's what our parties have been memorable (in my mind) for. Bringing together a bunch of people, all ages (young, old, in between) and sharing time. Sharing experiences. Starting and strengthening relationships.

    Thanks Jeff for this post. Hope you don't get too worried about providing a spectacle birthday :)
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