First Birthday Party: at Home Vs. Chuckie Cheese

Parents in the Lansing Area should check-out www.playeastlansing.com. The place is spotless, eco-friendly, & all parties are 100% private. It's so nice to be able to relax and talk with adult guests without the worry of your child being run over by another child or your little one getting lost in a crowd. You also don't have to worry about your children leaving the party with some crazy virus. ;)
The whole playspace is based on learning through imaginative play. There really could not be a better place to have a 1-year-old's party (if you decide you'd like to do it outside of your home).

I try to have all my kids B-day parties away--like you said easy clean up. But, I did do the first one at home w/just family though! I think if it is going to be a lot of people, you would be better off away from home.

GL:)

Do not have your daughter's 1st birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese! CEC is way too chaotic for something this important & memorable. We didn't take our daughter to CEC until she was 2 and there is only a limited amount of activities for her to do.

I say suck it up & have it at home - rent chairs & add some kids activities so they are not bored.

This is such an amazing & important day for you - you get to sit back & enjoy & be proud of this 1st year. Your daughter, no matter the personality, will not be comfortable at CEC. Seems like fun, but I am sure it will be just too much.

We did 1st birthday at home with just close family and a few friends. My son was happier about the baloons than anything, you can do a lot with a space with some baloons and a few colorful tablecloths...don't discount your club house, it could be a wonderful space and lots cheaper than chuckie cheeses...save that for when they are younger! We did a sandwich platter from Sam's that was pretty reasonable with some chips, fruit and ice tea and lemonade...

DO NOT DO CHUCKIE CHEESE!!! I did that for my son's 3rd. I couldn't imagine putting a 1 year old through that. 1 year old parties should be intimate, not hosted in a mad house!! They overbook parties, there are way too many kids, its way too loud to have a decent conversation, kids get lost..... (well, at least this was my experience at the one in Lansing)
So your house will get a little messy. Its ok. Just plan an activity for the kids. Buy a couple bottles of wine for the grown ups. Order pizza to be delivered. The guests won't mind getting close to one another. It will be a standing room only party. And anyway- not everyone will be able to attend from your list. Good Luck!!

Well honestly you don't HAVE to invite kids and people just because they have had big parties and invited you. Many of my friends have these huge expensive b-day parties for there little kids and for my sons first b-day party I decided that because he is one, and it wouldn't make a difference if we had a huge party, to do something small at home with family. Chucky Cheese is soooo expensive and not that your kid isn't worth the money its but I decided that I would spend money like that when he was a little older and could appreciate and remember it. And none of my friends were upset because I didn't invite any friends just grandparents and close relatives. And my son had a WONDERFUL b-day and we weren't rushed or stressed. Chucky Cheese can get pretty crazy and not that it isnt fun for the kids but most likely it would be on the weekend and BUSY BUSY BUSY because it is usually packed and I say if you absolutely feel like you have to put on some show for your friends and can't possibly have a small party for you baby at home where you want to be then one you might want to reconsider your friends, because anyone who doesn't respect your decision doesn't sound like much of a friend to me. All of my friends are still friends with me and they still invite me and my son to their kids b-day parties and they weren't offended when I told them what I was doing for his b-day. I think I may do his Chucky Cheese party this year of the following year. He really enjoys that place now. Anyhow if you still feel like you wanna do something and include all of your friends and their kids because they always include you than something cheaper and less crazy (especially for baby all that commotion can be too stimulating for a baby at age one and they usually end up crying and upset) maybe go somewhere outside at a park or zoo and BBQ. All depends on your kid though I know that mine at age one would have ended up in tears at Chucky Cheese and was much happier seeing his grandparents from both sides and a couple very close Aunts and Uncles and a couple cousins.
Honestly though I so hope that you understand that your friends are not going to quit inviting you or quit being friends with you if you explain to them that you think your little girl would be happier at home celebrating with just close family(but you can't invite even one friend if you do this) and the cost you are going to wait to do a big party until she is a little older they will understand.
And I promise you your little girl isn't gonna care one way or the other as long as you are there....:)
Good luck and let us know what you decide.