Moms Talk: Early Birthday Parties

Some of my best memories as a little girl involve my birthday: from the year my mom made me a cake absolutely covered with all my favorite Disney characters to the year I invited all my friends over for a half-birthday pool party because I hated having a winter birthday. Every kid looks forward to their birthday- it's the day he or she becomes the center of attention and celebration.

But what about for children who are too young to know it's their birthday? What about for kids who aren't going to remember it in the future? Can you tell me what your first birthday party was? I can't remember any of my birthdays until I was probably four years old.

In the case of a birthday party for a one year old, is it really a party more for the child or more for the family, to celebrate getting through a year of being parents? I've heard of cases where parents threw a cocktail party for themselves and put baby to bed early with a babysitter. I've also read about parents who say it's about having the memories for later on - the photos in the album for baby to flip through and look at.

I remember last year, I missed the birthday party of my cousin's daughter- a precious little two-year-old girl named Gabriella. Next time I saw her, I brought her a pair of pink cowboy boots (this future Carrie Bradshaw LOVES shoes). She instantly fell in love with them, put them on immediately, and walked around with a big smile on her face the rest of the day. Is she going to remember how much she loved those cowboy boots in ten years? Probably not. But they bring her momentary happiness now. I know that I got a really big kick out of seeing her enjoy her present so much.

What are your thoughts? Are birthday parties for little ones who won't remember it more for the kids or the parents? Do you appreciate the parties your parents threw for you when you were little? Do you think the parties are more about the experience at the time or the memory?

Note: This discussion idea was partly inspired by a topic on Offbeat Mama.