Am I Responsible for "Their" Food?

For party favors, you could buy some gerber graduates juice treats, or something toddler friendly in a little themed baggie. My daughter is 17 months and when grandma makes goodie bags at holidays like Valentines or whatever, she just gives the baby her "snackies" in a bag. She loves it!

Or, you could go to the dollar store and buy balls. Every kid loves a ball, and it's cheap and easy. No baggie required!

And no, don't buy separate foods for the kids. You will be serving plenty.

Those are good ideas but i don't think you should feel responsible for the little ones that young. I've never been to a birthday party where they catered to the toddlers.

Hi A.,

I would have some child friendly foods available. A great party favor for 1 year olds is a personalized wipes case, check out the website www.outrageouspartyfavors.com

Hi A.,

My little one will be one in April as well and we're also doing the whole cook out scene. However I am having older kids attend since we don't know to many couples with 1 yr olds BUT if I were having 1 yr olds attend, I don't think it's a bad idea to have some extra baby snacks around. Besides, if they don't eat the snacks, you can always just have the extra snacks left over for your baby. I liked the fruit dices and cookies idea. I wouldn't do anything more than that....just keep it simple.
As far as the party favors, I wouldn't do it for such a young age group. That's just to much for you to have to do with everything else you'll be doing. Like another post said, most just get thrown out anyways so don't waste your money. HOWEVER, if you do decide to go with the party favors, I really like the idea of getting some balls for 1 yr olds (just 1 per child). My kids always want a ball and it's something simple and cheap you can do. Dollar General has them for $1 a ball which is where I'll usually get my kids..........I think every baby loves a ball! : )
Hope you enjoy your babies first b-day party!
Take Care.

Provide something. Anytime you are inviting guests during a meal time it is polite to provide food for the guests, with the exception of babies not on any solids, and individuals with special dietary needs. I avoid feeding hot dogs to 1 year old children. It is on the top of the list of foods that cause fatal choking. Save those for the older guests.

You don't have to spend a lot of money. For example, for the one year old children; offer applesauce, small chunks of peaches, graham crackers, bananas, pudding, foods that are low choking and allergy risk.

Avoid the following foods which are high on the choking and/or allergy list; peanut butter or any form of nuts, red dyes (which are sometimes made from bugs!), cheese, eggs, fish, aspartame (many children react to this artificial sweetener), strawberries, peanut butter or nuts. (You probably know all that stuff already anyway.)

If you offer safe foods, parents who did not bring food will appreciate it and will not be as likely to feed foods that may cause choking or allergies.

Have fun!

B.

I agree with Allison, I would think that the food you are providing is sufficient. I would probably be like you and take something else if I felt necessary. However, when my daughter was 1, she ate pretty much what I ate. If possible, I would note on the invitations somewhere that you are serving hot dogs, burgers & chicken. As far as party favors, I think that the first birthday is too young to hand out goodie bags.

Good luck!!

I think what you're offering is just fine. Most of it is stuff a 1 yr old should be able to eat anyway if cut up, etc. so you might be sure to bring lots of knives. Cheerios are a great idea too though.

As far as what to give the 1yr olds, I really wouldn't put a lot of effort into that. Maybe some board books or bubbles from the dollar store? Most of the stuff they have for gift bags is chokeable or dangerous (ie balloons) for this age anyway. I don't think it should be too much of a concern.

I think that if you're serving food for the guests, you need to make sure you have something appropriate for that age group. I wouldn't go all out, but since part of the party is the food you're preparing, I think it might be appropriate.

As for goody bags. . . why have them? You're throwing a party and providing (and cooking) food for everyone. Why should you give goody bags? Honestly, those things usually go straight to the garbage for most people, and you're already doing so much. JMHO

I wouldn't bring food with me, other than the Cheerios I keep in my bag. But if you're having burgers, chicken and fruit, I would presume that to be kid-friendly enough that I could feed my 1 year-old that (I'd just chunk it up into pieces). I don't think you need to go beyond that for food.

Hello A.,

maybe some arrowrood crackers? and anything else you feed your 1yr old as a snack. I'd bring extra wipes for sure... even grown-ups might need them (smile) have fun! ~C.~

I think the food that you are providing is fine.

Party Favors-balls, bubbles, sand bucket and shovel, book -the list could go on but the great thing is, all of these items could come from Dollar Store. HTH

You are doing a 1 year olds party, yes there needs to foods 1 year olds can eat. They are his friends (I assume) and it is his party. If any child has special dietary needs, they should be responcible, but you can just provide more of what you plan to feed your son.

nope! moms tend to bring their own food just like you did. you can let people know what you are fixing if you want but you are not going to cater to every guest individually.....vegan, veggie, etc....

A good hostess is always prepared. Someone might forget to bring or sat the food on the counter and it didn't get into their bag, or they just assumed you will be providing.

Toss in some 1yr old snacks, couple jars of baby food, and off you go. No worries and you will look wonderfully prepared and they will be envious of you hostess skills. A can of past a rings, fruit chunks or something like that too - remember to get the smaller cans so you can pop the lid open w/o a can opener.
Don't forget plastic spoons.

Have a good time! c

I would make sure you have something baby friendly since you know there will be a lot of them there.

I wouldn't do anything "extra" except maybe have some plain cut up fruit and make sure there are knives availble to cut up tiny pieces of food.

Just make a note (or inform people as they call to rsvp) of what you will be serving. That way everyone knows to be prepared to either serve their child the food provided, or bring their own.
A book is a great party favor. You can wrap it, or put a ribbon around it with a "thank you for coming to my party" tag. Golden Books are fairly inexpensive & classic. My son's 1st birthday party was a barnyard theme, and I gave out The Big Red Barn Golden Book. Try to find a book that goes with your theme! Another idea is a bath squirty toy & a small package of snack crackers.
Good luck & congratulations on your son's 1st birthday!

I would definitly have some fruit and other little finger foods for them, at all the 1st birthdays that I have been to the host has provided food for all the little ones. I see nothing wrong with some hot dogs! :) I hope I helped a little.

Hi A.,
My daughter just turned one last month and we did the whole BBQ thing as well. We had just a few younger babies there and I didn't worry about having food for them. When my baby was too young to eat solids or normal stuff that everyone else was eating, I always brought snacks along. Every mom feeds her baby different stuff, so if I were you, I wouldn't spend my time and money buying things for younger babies to eat when you might not even know if they're eating those things yet...or if their mother wants them to eat those things. Throwing a party is expensive and time-consuming enough without putting extra stress on yourself. Maybe just call your friends with younger babies and tell them what food will be there so they'll know to bring something else.

As far as party favors go, my Mother-in-law went all out on party favors giving fake tatoos, suckers, noise makers and party hats. Honestly, I don't think any of the babies were old enough to enjoy them. I like the idea of bubbles or maybe those little pinwheel things. Something interesting to look at for them...I'd go to the dollar store and see what you can find. Good luck and happy birthday to your little one!

Hilary

You don't have to have 1 yr. old friendly foods, but it would be a nice gesture. You do have a fruit salad and most 1yr olds do eat table fruits. Maybe cut the fruit up really small just like you would your own child. As for party favors... bubbles, lolly pops, those cheap plastic glasses, and those noise makers are a few that I can think of. Hope this helps. Have fun!

You might try to do pot luck. Everyone bring a child friendly food to go with what you are serving. If you feel strange about it add that it could be part of their gift if you want.