Would You Have a B-Day Party at a Place if You Were Afraid of Making the Minimum?

So...since Elizabeth will be 18 months old tomorrow , I decided that I can officially start planning her 2nd b-day

I'm torn on what do to:

Option #1 - do it at the house again with family and some friends (like 40 people) and hire some entertainment. We did this last year and it was great except that I didn't enjoy myself at all and I don't really like hosting big crowds..But of course, the day isn't about me...

Option #2- I was thinking about having a party at Once Upon a Tree Top. The minimum is 12 and that's exactly what the guest list would be if all the kids I invited came (and you know that never happens). I could invite her daycare class (15 kids) as well hoping help make the minimum. We jsut don't know that many ppl with kids.

WWYD??

ETA - cost wise, it will probably be cheaper to have it at a place.

Message edited 4/20/2009 10:59:52 AM.

Re: Would You Have a B-Day Party at a Place if You Were Afraid of Making the Minimum?

Yes. We may not meet the min but that is ok. Andrew will still have a lot of fun anyway

I was going to invite his whole class but decided to just invite his bf in the class. I don't care if it is proper etiquette or not. Andrew doesn't talk to some of them in his class so why invite them. IMO.

Re: Would You Have a B-Day Party at a Place if You Were Afraid of Making the Minimum?

I would do #2

When I did DD's party, I didn't think we would meet the minimum of 12 kids and was prepared to just pay anyway knowing she would have fun, but we did meet it.

Re: Would You Have a B-Day Party at a Place if You Were Afraid of Making the Minimum?

I would do #2. At 2, she'll really enjoy that!

And if I'm not giving birth that day, you can invite Ryan to help make up your minimum

Re: Would You Have a B-Day Party at a Place if You Were Afraid of Making the Minimum?

lol my ds will be turning 18 months end of this month and I already have his birthday invites, they just need to be printed.

I remember your 1st birthday pics and I FMd you about the entertainment you had. I understand about not having fun. I had my son's 1st birthday at home and I didn't even have a slice of his cake!

I'm personally going to do his birthday at home and make it a halloween theme. It wont be as crazy so I'm sure I'll be much more relaxed. I'm inviting just close the grandparents, godparents and children. It will be around 30 adults and 10 kids. As far as food I'll have cold heros for the adults and chicken fingers and fries for the kids. Again not going crazy for the 2nd time around. As far as entertainment I'm thinking of getting the balloon guy you had, he was not available for his first birthday.

If I wasn't going to have it home I was going to do White Post Farms but his b-day falls under the fall festival they have and they were going to charge me more $ because of it. So upset about that! I have to say if they were reasonable I would have done it there and not at home.

Kind of no help to you I guess, sorry. But I say do it at home. I'm sure you were super excited the first time and you were going crazy going back and forth but now your DC is older and I'm sure you will have others helping you. You might be more relaxed 2nd time around.

I have a birthday party tomorrow night at NY party zone in Farmingdale. My friend got a private room, she'll have pizza and refreshments and the children will have all the play area.Not sure how much buy you can check their website.

Re: Would You Have a B-Day Party at a Place if You Were Afraid of Making the Minimum?

Posted by SweetCaroline

I would do #2. At 2, she'll really enjoy that!

And if I'm not giving birth that day, you can invite Ryan to help make up your minimum

Re: Would You Have a B-Day Party at a Place if You Were Afraid of Making the Minimum?

Re: Would You Have a B-Day Party at a Place if You Were Afraid of Making the Minimum?

I love the idea of having at a place.

I was going to have Christopher's out, but I decided to do a family party instead, since I would have to one anyway, and they wouldn't want to come to a place, you know? And we don't have any other little kids in the family.

Re: Would You Have a B-Day Party at a Place if You Were Afraid of Making the Minimum?

I'm in the exact same position as you, torn over what to do for charlie's 2nd. We had his 1st at the house and it was a lot of work...tent, tables, balloons, etc etc.

I think I'd go w/option #1 but limit the amount of people to those who have kids. I'd also ditch the entertainment (maybe put out a lot of toys & stuff??) and maybe hire a waitress that will serve & clean up. I think this is what i'm gonna do.

Message edited 4/20/2009 11:54:19 AM.

Re: Would You Have a B-Day Party at a Place if You Were Afraid of Making the Minimum?

I would say I would not worry about the minimum if it would be more fun/easier for you to do it at a place.

Re: Would You Have a B-Day Party at a Place if You Were Afraid of Making the Minimum?

I would choose to do it at a place. Even if you don't meet the minimum # of kids as long as your comfortable paying that price for that # of kids it's well worth it.

Re: Would You Have a B-Day Party at a Place if You Were Afraid of Making the Minimum?

Thanks for your opinions! I'm going to try decide in the next month or so.