We were the first of our friends to have a baby and our dd turned 1 on a Sunday so we invited them all over for brunch. It was our dd’s best time of day (between naps) so she loved the attention. We provided our friends with endless mimosas, hot brunch food and cake so they were buzzed and sated and dutifully clapped as dd took some of her first steps and even offered me just enough praise for my over the top Pinterest inspired decor to make me feel like Martha Stewart. We were also firm about no gifts in the invite so I think it was a win-win for everyone.

The party is for YOU and your guests. The kid is going to be clueless. Make sure your child gets all the sleep he/she normally needs--don't cut into naptime, if that means your child is going to be massively irritable. Don't take offense if friends can't come because your party time interferes with their child's naptime.

I suggest: A short fete around your normally scheduled meal time. For us, that was dinner with family members + cake. The other kid got a pajama-pancakes party starting at 8am for whoever was in the neighborhood and wanted to hope over with their kids in jams and robe.

You can have baby instuments out and sing nursery rhymes
Cake and playgroup ,grandparents

Cake at home with you guys and maybe grandparents . It’s for you anyway. No one else really cares.

Have playgroup friends over. Have toys out to play with. Buffet of food. Cake smash and cake for the guests.

keep it low key.

What you would suggest to do for a 1 year old on his birthday?