WHO REALLY ENJOYED THE PARTY? THE ONE YEAR OLD CELEBRANT OR THE ADULTS?

WHO REALLY ENJOYED THE PARTY? THE ONE YEAR OLD CELEBRANT OR THE ADULTS?

WHO REALLY ENJOYED THE PARTY? THE ONE YEAR OLD CELEBRANT OR THE ADULTS?

There is something fascinating about the way Nigerians celebrate birthdays, especially when the celebrant is a child.

Recently, the first birthday celebration of Priscilla Mkambala's son, Rakeem Mkambala, the grandson of Iyabo Ojo, attracted significant attention. With a “Cow Boy” theme, an impressive setup, celebrity guests, it was certainly more than just a little child’s birthday party.

And then came the question many people quietly asked, who actually enjoyed the party, the one year old birthday boy or the adults?

Let’s be honest, at one year old, a child probably has no idea what a birthday party is. He may enjoy the colours, the toys, the music, the cake, the attention and of course, the excitement around him but he is unlikely to understand why dozens of adults dressed up, travelled, took pictures and gathered to celebrate his first year on earth.

The adults, however? They definitely understood the assignment, from the glamorous decorations to the celebrity appearances, outfits, photographs, entertainment and social media moments, the celebration appeared to cater heavily to the adults surrounding the celebrant.

But should that be a problem? Not necessarily.

A child’s first birthday is often less about the child’s personal understanding of the occasion and more about the parents celebrating a milestone: “We made it through the first year.”

For many parents, especially first time parents, one year of raising a child is a major achievement. There are sleepless nights, doctor's appointments, feeding, teething, growth milestones and countless moments that deserve to be celebrated.

So, perhaps the party isn't entirely for the one year old.

Perhaps it is also for the parents, grandparents, family and friends who have watched the child grow.

BUT HAS THE ONE YEAR OLD BIRTHDAY PARTY BECOME AN ADULT EVENT?

This is where the conversation gets interesting.

Nigerians have always loved celebrations. We don't just mark occasions, we experience them. And when celebrities are involved, the scale can become even bigger.

The question is whether we are gradually turning children's birthdays into social events where the adults become the primary audience.

When you see a one year old's birthday featuring celebrity guests, elaborate decorations, coordinated outfits, professional photography, entertainment and social media buzz, you may begin to wonder, is this still a children's birthday party, or has it become an adult social gathering in honour of a child?

There is absolutely nothing wrong with wanting to celebrate your child beautifully. Parents should be allowed to choose how they want to mark important milestones, but perhaps we should also remember that children don't need extravagance to feel loved.

A one year old will not remember whether the decoration cost millions, whether celebrities attended, or whether the cake was trending online.

What the child will eventually benefit from is the love, care and memories preserved by the people around them.

AND YET, LET PEOPLE ENJOY WHAT THEY LIKE

This is not an attempt to rubbish the celebration, far from it

If a family has the resources and chooses to throw a spectacular first birthday party, who are we to dictate how they should celebrate?

For some people, a birthday is a simple family gathering. For others, it is an opportunity to bring everyone together and create a memorable experience.

And when the parents themselves are public figures, it is understandable that their social circle, friends and family may also be celebrities.

So, yes, the adults probably enjoyed the party more consciously than the one year old did, and that doesn't make the celebration meaningless.

The child was the reason everyone gathered, the adults were the ones capable of appreciating the celebration.

Maybe that is the beauty of it.

At the end of the day, there is no universal rule that says a one year old's birthday must look a particular way.

Whether it is a small family cake cutting at home or a star studded celebration with hundreds of guests, the most important thing remains the same, a child has completed one year of life, and the people who love him are grateful.

So, did the one year old enjoy the party?

Probably in his own little way. Did the adults enjoy it more? Absolutely.

And has the extravagant one year old birthday come to stay?

Looking at the Nigerian celebration culture, it certainly appears so.

But perhaps the real lesson is not about how much was spent or who attended.

Just celebrate your child the way you can and the way you love. Just remember that beyond the party, the greatest gift a child can receive is a loving and present family.

Now over to you, If you were planning your child's first birthday, would you go all out like this, or would you keep it simple?