1st birthday party!!!!!

[Lindsey<3]

Ok, so my little girls 1st birthday is coming up in a couple of months and I want to throw her a party, in a hall! Problem is I don't know what hall :(

I think I have like 100 people on the guest list which can't really be cut down!

I was also thinking about hiring soft play for the party and maybe a small bouncy castle.

I'm just in all a bother about it. I disnt realise itd be so stressful!!

Any ideas for venues, food, any suggestions for anything to do with the party actually would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks in advance guys xx

[Helen GV]

Goose green centre? Or Bellingham soft play if there will be older kids?

[Lindsey<3]

I heard that you're not allowed to play music at the goose green one? Was looking to hire soft play really. To set up in the hall x

[gebbjane]

The Albrighton centre, not sure how many it holds but has a bouncy castle and kitchens.

[Lindsey<3]

Ooohhh I didn't even think about there :) I'll have to check it out! Do they defo hire the hall out? X

[oimissus]

all saints church hall? playgroup is held there so they have loads of stuff for the children, and sofas for the grown ups. Kim from Tippee Toes I think does soft play you can hire.

[Lindsey<3]

Where's that church :s I'm soo bad at knowing where things are lol. Yeah I have kims number :) thanks x

[tiddles]

To be honest, leave it for a couple of years!! save the money and the hassle. Have a small special do for her and her special friends. Save your energy for the parties they do remember.

I'm not being bitter and twisted, but have a nice, relaxed celebration.

[gebbjane]

Yeah they hire out the Albrighton - I went to a 1st birthday party there last year, that was in the upstairs hall with the terrace, they also hire the downstairs hall.

[oimissus]

all saints is next to Peckham Rye station.

[hellosailor]

went to a 1st birthday party at goose green centre recently, they played music, and there were about 120 guests (it was a joint birthday for a lot of babies!)

[rachel83]

We had about 100 for a first bday party at the Darrell Road community centre. Google it and the details will come up, about ?160 for 5 hours but this was some years ago. Really great venue, two rooms and a kitchen plus outside area. Fine for music. I dont agree with tiddles, my daughter had a fab time and there were kids of all ages, so it was a really good day. All the parties since her first have been tiny but it was fun to have one really big party.

[Lindsey<3]

Thanks guys I'll have to check out all your ideas :D

X

[angelabbie]

How about a lovely vintage afternoon tea?? Food is simple but scrummy and the table looks stunning with the china. Hall can be decorated with lovely bunting. www.vintageafternoons.co.uk

[esme]

East Dulwich Community centre is a great venue for that large a number (you could consider less people and do it at Peckham Rye which has soft play and small party area for say 30 people inc adults & kids)...

[scareyt]

If you don't need it to be local, the Calthorpe Project near King's Cross is a brilliant venue, my Mum had her 70th birthday there a couple of weeks ago and there were loads of kids. ?250 for the day. It looks a bit scruffy when you first arrive but they have lots and lots of toys and great outside space, so you wouldn't need to hire anything else for the kids to do. It kind of depends on having good weather though as the best bits are outside.

What to do about food depends on the timing - if you do it from 3pm till 5pm people will only really expect cake. You could ask a few people to bring a cake each to simplify things. We did a lunchtime party for first birthday with buffet food and did 3-5 pm for 2nd birthday, with some savory finger food and a cake. That was definitely easier!