Meredith Gaudreau spent her first birthday since the death of her husband ... as well as their wives and girlfriends attended Noa’s party, which came exactly two months after Johnny’s death.

Between birthdays, retirements and holidays -- most of us plan at least one party a year. So with Party City closing stores, some shoppers may wonder about their best options for finding balloons ...

After talking with another preschool mom, my husband and I have decided to rent a local event space to host the party ... I would like to indicate on the invitations that parents may bring ...