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Parents spending over £200 on their baby's first birthday, new research reveals

Parents are forking out a fortune on their baby's first birthday. (Getty Images)
Parents are forking out a fortune on their baby's first birthday. (Getty Images)

New parents are spending over £200 on their baby’s first birthday party, new research has revealed.

Celebrating your baby’s first birthday is an important milestone so it is understandable that parents want to mark it, but a new poll has revealed just how much new mums and dads are forking out for the party.

The survey, of 2,000 parents of children aged 1-18, commissioned by social money app Pingit, found parents are splashing £207 worth of cash on their baby’s first birthday.

Despite babies being unlikely to remember the day, the figure is a bigger spend than more than any other milestone birthday party.

In comparison, the average sweet sixteen costs £198, while 10th and 5th birthday parties see parents spend £162 and £160 respectively.

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When it comes to totting up the party spend, the poll found personalised cakes are the most expensive items parents buy for a first birthday party, along with a new outfit for the baby and balloon arches.

Party props, such as a fake snow machine or glitter blaster, a children’s entertainer and personalised party favours also see the budget blown.

Parents admitted to feeling pressure to pull off the perfect party with 18% admitting to being influenced by celebrity culture, other parents on social media (30%) and family members (25%).

Before the lockdown restrictions put a stop to their extravagant plans, a fifth even tried to copy bashes hosted by social media influencers and celebrities.

One in ten admitted to throwing lavish affairs to outdo other parents while a further 11% only put on a big party to show off to other family members.

But going big on the first party doesn’t always pay off, with four in 10 of those parents polled admitting they spend more time stressing about the party than actually celebrating.

More than a third, however, believe it to be worth the hassle to pull off a party better than another parent in their playgroup.

Parents are keen to give their little ones the perfect first birthday bash. (Getty Images)
Parents are keen to give their little ones the perfect first birthday bash. (Getty Images)

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However, as lockdown and social distancing measures have caused disruption to party plans, one in five parents have admitted they would cancel a child’s birthday celebration completely rather than go ahead with a scaled back version.

Just under a third (32%) would reschedule so the party could happen at a later date, while only 16% say they would attempt a ‘virtual’ bash.

In order to afford the big first birthday the study found parents were spending an average of three months budgeting and saving to pull off the perfect party for their baby.

But many are split on how lockdown has impacted their spending plans for the milestone birthday.

While a third would keep a tight grip on their budget amid financial insecurity worries, 19% admit they would splash more cash than they planned to make sure their child has an extra special birthday at home.

Read more: Harry films Meghan reading Archie a story to mark his first birthday

From personalised birthday cakes to balloon arches parents are spending a fortune trying to make their first birthday party special. (Getty Images)
From personalised birthday cakes to balloon arches parents are spending a fortune trying to make their first birthday party special. (Getty Images)

Top 10 budget blowing first birthday party items (pre-lockdown)

1. Personalised cakes (35%)

2. Brand new baby outfit (35%)

3. Balloon arches (27%)

4. Brand new outfit(s) for parent(s) (17%)

5. Themed baby costume (16%)

6. Party props (i.e. fake snow machine, glitter blaster) (14%)

7. Children’s entertainer (14%)

8. Flower wall/arches (13%)

9. Personalised party favours (13%)

10. Handmade and environmentally friendly invitations (10%)