Eva Mendes and Ryan Gosling threw a ''quiet and casual party'' to celebrate their daughter Esmeralda's first birthday.

The 41-year-old actress and her 'Gangster Squad' star partner staged a low-key bash over the weekend that was attended by around 20 of their closest friends and family members.

A source said: ''It was a quiet and casual party, not the typical celebrity first birthday blowout with vendors and other celebrity guests.

''It looked like it was just their simple style and more about family and close friends coming together to celebrate Esmeralda.''

The couple relied on friends and family members to help organise the party, with Eva's Cuban-born mother and sister arriving early to set everything up and Ryan's sister Mandi bringing a homemade birthday cake.

The insider told Us Weekly magazine: ''Some people brought wrapped gifts, including clothes and toys.

''One guest arrived carrying a rocking horse, and another had colourful plastic balls to fill a ball pit.''

Meanwhile, Eva recently admitted she appreciates her family more since becoming a mother.

The actress said she's grateful her daughter is surrounded by strong female role models.

Eva shared: ''It's incredible. I really appreciate my family, now more than ever. I'm so happy that my little girl gets to grow up with this.

''When my mom and sisters visit, they take over the house. They take my baby! They start cleaning everything! They sound like a bunch of hyenas, yelling in Spanish, English, Spanglish. They sing all these Cuban nursery songs that I forgot my mom used to sing to me. They're like a raucous crew.''