Birthday party question: can I do this?
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Anonymous
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We typically only do family parties. It’s a time for the family to get together, and our introvert parents really appreciate the small gathering. It also doesn’t cost me much to feed everyone.
This year, though, my (going to turn) 4 year old wants a bounce house. I’m happy to oblige, but it seems silly to rent one just for him and his 2 cousins. If I am renting it, it would be nice to share with others. But, I don’t want to host a dozen other families and kids. It’ll bother the grandparents, And I like our small parties. Family is set to arrive around three. Can I send an email to a select few and say “please come bounce and eat cake from 4-5?” Is that REALLY rude? I just want people to come and eat cake and enjoy the bounce house! If I’m spending the money to rent it, I already know several people who want to come bounce. Thoughts? |
Anonymous
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So it will be family party from 3 to 4, and friends from 4 to 5? And probably cousins throughout.
Seems fine to me. |
Anonymous
Yes, but I am offering cake only. I’m not going to bring out a separate round of food. I’m only going to invite close friends, and I will explain this. |
Anonymous
| I would not have a whole spread out for family and just cake for friends. |
Anonymous
| It would seem like an ordinary invitation to me. I would be prepared for people to overstay the 5:00 time since it's a short window. |
Anonymous
| I just don’t want to pay to feed everyone. I’m sorry, but I don’t. But I do want to share the bounce house and cake! But I don’t want the double platters of food, and before I know it it’s dinner and I’m feeding everyone. |
Anonymous
I would do it at 2 then. Have family come at 12:30 for lunch. |
Anonymous
I have another baby who naps. |
Anonymous
This! And make the friends window 1.5 hours...you don’t need to serve more than cake and juice/water bottles, but some bowls of chips and pretzels would be a nice touch for those hanging out while their kids bounce. |
Anonymous
| You need to do two different parties. Family party on the actual birthday (weeknight or whatever) and then the fun friends kids party with the bounce house on the weekend. The bounce house party can just be cake and juice. |
Anonymous
The cousins will enjoy the bounce house! |
Anonymous
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Have a kid party that runs from 2:00 - 3:30 or 2:30 - 4:00 with cake. Family with cousins can come too, grandparents and other childless adults can arrive as they please. Serve dinner to family after the others leave.
The other way around would be awkward. |
Anonymous
| Agree that you should do friends early 2-3:30 and then once they leave take food out for family. 3 is weird time to feed family anyway so this makes more sense. Family eats apps at 3:30 and dinner at 5. Also, grandparents can hang in house or not come over or sit in kitchen until friends leave. |
Anonymous
Well, the baby won't use the bounce house anyway. Do not invite a bunch of preschoolers from 4-5 and only feed them cake and juice. |
Anonymous
| Very rude plan. Invite everyone or don't. |