Where to have DS' 1st bday in October. My 1st poll too!

I need some help/opinions about where to have my DS’ 1st birthday in October (can’t believe my baby will be 1!)

I expect to have approximately 50 people – the majority are adults although there will be some kids.

Home – would be nice bc we wouldn’t have to worry about rushing to leave. Worried about the weather though since it will be Oct 2nd. If it’s cool out people will inevitably complain. We’d have to rent tables and chairs and we’d have it catered. It would be bbq food with some extras like salads, hot appetizers, lots of desserts. We’d have to clean up.

Restaurant – No renting of tables and chairs or clean up. But more expensive. Limited by how long we can be there. No worries about the weather though. Set up though will be minimal. Food wouldn’t be as casual which may be a good thing as my family will complain/comment about such a casual food set up if we have it at home.

Hall – I have no idea how to do a party at a hall. Would I have to get a DJ? How do you entertain people? Requires set up and clean up. Imagine I’d have to rent tables and chairs too. Catered of course. More room than at home though and again no weather worries. This is my least favorite option now but maybe I’m just not realizing how good an option it can be.

WWYD?

Re: Where to have DS' 1st bday in October. My 1st poll too!

If you can afford to have it somewhere else, I'd do that...

I had it at my mom's house, but there was enough room and it was the summer so it was nice to be outside...October is tricky

Re: Where to have DS' 1st bday in October. My 1st poll too!

If you did a VFW or american legion all you have to set up are the decorations. The hall supplies and sets up the tables and chairs and cleans up for you.. (usually).
You can get entertainment.
You would need to cater.

Re: Where to have DS' 1st bday in October. My 1st poll too!

well, we are doing it at our upstate house on 10/16.

it will be mainly outdoors, but people can congregate where they will.

the stuff for the kids (events and such) will definitely be outdoors, as will the food.

I am renting tables and chairs but no tents.

October's have been so mild lately, I am not worrying too much about a crisp 50 or so degree day.

and if it rains, people will pile in to my house like they did for my shower. we all had a good time.

Re: Where to have DS' 1st bday in October. My 1st poll too!

We had about 40 people, at a restaurant mid-september. I would have gone more casual, but my DH wanted a "BIG DO" I guess in celebration of keeping the child alive for a year Since it was basically the only thing he had an opinion on for a solid year I did it his way and gotta say, it was PERFECTION. We did it from noon to 3 at a private party room in a good local restaurant. 10-12 children IIRC, and I selected the Brunch menu to keep $$$ down a bit, but we did spring for the open bar.
It really was perfect, no cleanup before/after for us, just a nice relaxing day. If you have a favorite local restaurant that has a private room, I say go for that!!!!

Re: Where to have DS' 1st bday in October. My 1st poll too!

Is your house large enough to hold 50 people if it rained/was cold? If not, go for the restaurant or hall!!

With the restaurant, you have them supply the food, set up and clean up...the hall, you have to supply that yourself. As for music, it depends on the place...some places have a sound system with cd/XM capability....

Re: Where to have DS' 1st bday in October. My 1st poll too!

A restaurant is a great idea for October. My DD party was oct. 17 last year. It was very cold out. We had a 4 hour window at the rest. We hired elmo to come for 1 hour and the kids just ran around and had fun. It was a good time frame b/c DD gets cranky with out a nap. No cleaning up or anything. We just left and went home. Way less stress.

Re: Where to have DS' 1st bday in October. My 1st poll too!

I voted restaurant only because it usually ends up costing the same, so you might as well get to relax a bit!

Re: Where to have DS' 1st bday in October. My 1st poll too!

I vote hoe. Oct 2 is usually still really warm. If not home then a hall like VFW can be less than $500 to rent for the day. They usually have tables and chairs too.

Re: Where to have DS' 1st bday in October. My 1st poll too!

We are having Tylers on Oct 2nd also.

I am renting tables and chairs - I am holding a tent in case in rains.

I hire waitresses to help with the setup/cleanup.

Re: Where to have DS' 1st bday in October. My 1st poll too!

DD#1's birthday is 10/6. Last year we had her birthday in our backyard. We rented tables, chairs and a tent. We had a local deli cater hot food. I ordered a fabulous cake. We had about 60 people. The day of her birthday party was 70 degrees and sunny. It was glorious! I didn't expect that temp, but I would def do it all over again in a heartbeat b/c at the beginning of Oct, the temp isn't very cold anyway. Plus, all of our family helped clean up!! It worked out great! FM me if you live in Suffolk and want to know the vendors I used.

Re: Where to have DS' 1st bday in October. My 1st poll too!

I am doing DS's at a hall (a firehouse actually) It'll be on Oct. 16th. October weather is usually pretty nice, but you run the risk of hurricanes/nor easters and it's just not worth the stress, IMO. The fee for the firehouse is $200 which I'll "donate" instead of having it refunded. I also need to buy insurance for the day ($150)

I'm not getting a DJ, but will be having a costume character with a clown/entertainer to come. I'm also going to use my iPod to play music.

Catering: I'm going to use a local restaurant that most people at the firehouse use and have a waitress to help with setup/clean up. The cake will be one from Costco ($16.99)

As far as tables/chairs, they're provided. I just have to buy decorations and plan on using a 50%off coupon to buy them (still waiting to find one)

We're having about 75 people.

Re: Where to have DS' 1st bday in October. My 1st poll too!

I am having DD's christening at our house on 10/3. I got married on 10/1 almost 5 years ago and it was a gorgeous day - like 79 degrees and sunny so I am hoping for the same. We are having it catered and they have their own servers who help set up and clean up. I used them 2 years ago and they were awesome. We'll rent a few tables and chairs but I am not doing a tent this time bc I feel that even though it's a tent, if it rained everyone would want to be inside anyway.

Re: Where to have DS' 1st bday in October. My 1st poll too!

My DS's b-day is in October and we have had his last 4 birthdays at home and love it ...We usually have between 40-60 people !

Re: Where to have DS' 1st bday in October. My 1st poll too!

Re: Where to have DS' 1st bday in October. My 1st poll too!

We are having DD's this Saturday at the Heritage Center at Heritage Park. I wanted to have it indoors and outdoors but our place is not large enough for 70 people, so I figured at the park where people could go out and enjoy the nice weather but also have a nice air conditioned area to come back to eat and hang in would be a happy medium. I started out htinking this might be an economical option compared to having it out, but it seems to be adding up to the same. I am ultimately happy though because I wanted there to be the option of moving about and not staying seated in restaurant. I think looking into a park with a rec. center or home would be great options.

Re: Where to have DS' 1st bday in October. My 1st poll too!

Re: Where to have DS' 1st bday in October. My 1st poll too!

my GF had her son's first Bday last Oct. it was beautiful and she hired a hostess and she was able to socialize and relax so it wasnt crazy..she said it was the best money spent. I plan on doing DS christening at home in May and will hire a server so I can spend time w/ family in town. Just something to think about