My daughter's first birthday party is Wednesday. The party is at our house at 5:30pm. I can't make it any earlier due to working family members. We want to take our kids out to dinner around 7pm. Is there a nice way to get everyone to leave by then? Everytime we have these family members over to our house they act like its a family reunion and want to stay 3 or 4 hours. We would like to enjoy the rest of the night with just us and out kids.
2007-11-19 04:20:21 · 18 answers · asked by honeybear 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
So basically you want them there for an hour and half AT DINNER TIME on the day before Thanksgiving and you're not feeding them dinner. You just want them there long enough for cake and presents and BUH-BYE!! How rude. It's Thanksgiving - it's time for the family reunions and spending time with your family. Either feed them all or have the party on a weekend in the middle of the afternoon if you're that cheap. Your 1 year old doesn't even know what's going on, so waiting a few days past her birthday won't matter.
2007-11-19 04:34:46 · answer #1 · answered by Flusterated 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think if you sent the invitations it should have been written from 5 30 to 7pm although most parties do last 2 hours at least so you could have said from 5 30 to 7 30. In other words, In the future always list the time you want the party to end and even then some will stay over. I am afraid that there is no proper way to ask them to leave but if you are determined, then call them up now and explain that you wanted them to know you have another engagement so the party will be ending at 7pm. Next time just dont invite them and take care of your own little family instead.
2007-11-19 05:41:43 · answer #2 · answered by barthebear 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it's going to be hard to kick everyone out after only an hour or so, especially since a 1st birthday is generally more for the adults than for the child, in the first place!
But if you want to give it a try, then about 6:45 or so, it would alright to say, "Oh, boy, it's been a long day, and little Cutie-Pie is exhausted, Looks like we need to wrap this up." Accompany the comments with a few well-placed yawns of your own. If they don't take the hint, then plan a family celebration dinner for later in the week. She's just 1 -- she won't care!
2007-11-19 05:08:31 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why squeeze in the dinner on the same day? One and a half hours for a birthday party is a very tight squeeze. At least allow 3-4 hrs before the last guests leave. Anyways 5.30pm is not a good time to start a party. It should be at around 12 or 1 pm.
2007-11-19 18:27:22 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you sent invitations, they should state an end time. If they did, feel free to kick everyone out at that time. Be polite, but be clear. If its not on the invitations, drop the hint throughout the party that you need to wrap it up at 7. Some may even help you clean up.
Also, you can put the food and drinks away. People should get the hint, or at least want to leave (no more food, no more party). Then escort everyone out as you leave.
Edit: You should consider scheduling the party and dinner on different days. Weekends are better for parties. It is kinda' uncool to say to people, "Come over. Bring gifts. Leave in an hour."
2007-11-19 04:30:07 · answer #5 · answered by I 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Serving coffee is also an indicator of the end of a party... 20-30 minutes before you would like them to leave, start serving coffee, also once the coffee has been served, you can go around with your child and hand out the favors thanking everyone for coming. They should get the hint.
This will be more difficult most likely because of it's proximity to Thanksgiving, people will be more inclined to want to stick around and visit. Worst case scenario, call and cancel your reservation and enjoy the time with family and friends. You and your children can order pizza once everyone is gone if you miss your reservation.
2007-11-19 06:08:20 · answer #6 · answered by vanessa 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with those who say put the ending time on the invitations and/or schedule the two events on different days. In any case, if other children her age will be there, an hour or so is probably all they can handle. And I don't think you're cheap not to want to treat your whole extended family to dinner out, whether it's the day before another big dinner or not.
2007-11-19 05:19:02 · answer #7 · answered by aida 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sorry, hon. There's really no way to do this politely. I agree with a couple of the other posters. Having a child's birthday party on a weeknight is just never a good idea and when you throw wanting to go out for dinner afterwards into the mix, you're just asking for disaster and confusion. Rescheduling the party wouldn't be a bad idea.
2007-11-19 04:52:15 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
On the invitations say that the party is from 5:30-7:00pm.
If anyone asks why there is a specific time frame, let them know you already have dinner plans. If anyone seems hurt, just explain that you feel it is just as important to have immediate family time as well as the time with the extended family. If anyone feels this is not enough time to hang out, say that they may schedule another day to be with your child for more one one one time.
2007-11-19 04:30:57 · answer #9 · answered by butterfly47112 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The best way to do is by issuing formal paper invitations with a start and end time. Then, I would have planned activities on a schedule. When the schedule is over, people will be more likely to leave. However, they may not go...
2007-11-19 04:29:32 · answer #10 · answered by kittyrat234b 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋