Is it really a must to throw a big party for my child’s first birthday?

Javi is turning 1 tomorrow and we are not having a big party. We will definitely go out and have a simple celebration with the entire family but unlike Enzo and Marko who had huge birthday parties when they turned 1, this year we opted not to spend too much.

Enzo's 1st birthday party. Balloons pa lang more than PhP 30k na! 

Marko's 1st birthday party.

Is it really necessary to throw a big party and spend so much money on a one-day occasion? I just realized that it is not. These days, when you decide to have a kiddie party, para ka na din gumastos for a wedding. Pabonggahan! Guests and relatives will expect you to provide superb food, great entertainment and of course bonggang loot bags and/or give aways. It’s like we are planning for the party with the guests on our mind and not the celebrant. Dapat masarap ang food dahil baka maokray ng guests. Dapat magaling magenglish ang host or magician dahil nakakahiya sa guests. Dapat may photobooth dahil the guests will expect it. Dapat unique ang theme kasi iisipin ng guests na nanggaya ka lang ng theme ng iba. Dapat may giveaways dahil kung wala, yun ang magiging huling impression nila of the party “Ay walang giveaways?!”

I am not saying that you should not have a party. Ok lang yun! Wala namang masama dun. Nasasayo na yun if you want to spend on it. What I am saying is, it's also okay not to have a party. Hindi kasi natin matatanggal satin na isipin ang iisipin ng ibang tao. Yun ang mali. Kung kaya mo at gusto mo talaga, go! If napipilitan ka lang dahil sa sasabihin ng ibang tao, itago mo na lang ang pera mo.

Javi's chocolate cake for his birthday by Baked By Anita

Not throwing a big party for Javi does not make us (Mark and me) love him less. We are just being practical. Instead of spending more than 100k for a party, we can put the money in his savings account. Mas may katuturan naman yun. Some react kasi na kawawa naman si Javi walang party. Bakit naman kawawa? He won’t even remember anything on his first birthday. Tutulugan nya lang yun! Everyone will move on with their lives the following day!

So, tomorrow on Javi’s birthday, we’ll have a beautiful cake, some balloons, we’ll sing him a happy birthday and we’ll have dinner with the entire family. Ito lang naman ang importante e, na maramdaman ng anak ko na mahal na mahal namin sya. Ito ang hinding hindi nya makakalimutan hanggang sa paglaki nya.

My lucky charm, golden buddha, cutest baby ever :)