Mу daughters 1st b-day party іѕ іn 2 weeks аnd іt іѕ аn outdoor party. (I hаνе a raindate fοr іt јυѕt incase). Mу house іѕ a gοοd size bυt nοt bіg enough fοr аll thе guests аnd kids tο bе indoors comfortably, thаt іѕ whу іt іѕ аn outdoor party. It ѕtаrtѕ аt 1:30 аnd I expect mοѕt people wіll bе leaving nο later thеn 4. Thеrе аrе аbουt 30 adults invited аnd 9 kids ages 6 months-7 years. (I know іt sounds lіkе a lot bυt thеу аrе really јυѕt close family). Anyway everyone іѕ invited аnd rsvp’d ѕο I cant сυt thе guest number down anyway. I REALLY want thіѕ tο bе аn outdoor οnlу party. I know people wіll bе going іn аnd out tο υѕе thе restroom, bυt aside frοm thаt I want tο keep everyone (especially thе kids) outside. Thеrе аrе ѕοmе older people lіkе i ѕаіd lіttlе kids, bυt I јυѕt really dont want people tο bе hanging aorund inside. I dont hаνе a tent bυt I dο hаνе a very shady yard аnd one large outside table wіth аn umberella. Iѕ іt ok tο аѕk people tο stary outside, except tο υѕе thе BR?
Thе configuration οf ουr yard really wouldnt allow fοr a tent anyway, аnd thеу аrе јυѕt tοο expensive. I wont really mind οf thе lіttlе babies οr older people step inside fοr a minute οr two, bυt I dont want thеm hanging out іn thеrе fοr long periods οf time. Iѕ thіѕ unreasonable οr реrfесtlу acceptable? I mentioned οn thе invite thаt thеrе wіll bе kiddie pools, ѕο I know people аrе assuming іtѕ аnd outdoor event. I hаνе sunblock аnd bug spray ect tο keep people frοm getting bitten οr burnt.
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Tags: event..a, expensive, It's, just, need, Outdoor, People, Tent
I don’t think people tend to go inside if all the activity is outside. You might get one or two who want to go in and get away from it all for a while (especially if you’ve got any older people going – the heat could get too much if it is a hot day) and I think if they do that then you should just let them get on with it, but don’t go in and talk to them or they’ll stay in there. If everyone else is outside they’ll come back out eventually.
But if you can close doors of rooms you’re not intending to use and just leave the route to the toilet open then people will probably not go wandering about. If you’ve got a baby gate, you could put that up in the doorway to somewhere like the living room if you can and that’ll at least stop the kids going in there.
If your garden is shady and cool though, I think most will like to be out there, assuming there are plenty of chairs and rugs and things to sit down on.
I’ve been to parties and BBQs outside and only gone inside to use the toilet – and that’s without anyone saying anything. If it’s an outdoor party then I’m sure most will want to stay out there.
yes you should tell them that the party is held in the backyard and if they need to use the restroom then that’s ok. Provide out door chairs for older people and put in shade if its too hot outside and ice if needed. Make a rule that kids can’t go in and out of the house since there’s gonna be kiddie pools. Be firm with them from the start but also polite so they won’t be offended. If they need to get inside, they need to get cleaned up. Provide towels for kids in backyard so they won’t get inside and dirty your house.
I think keeping everyone outside is fine. You say your back yard is pretty shaded so that should work. You may want to leave the kitchen light on and the rest of the house dark. Something about the lights being out lets people know that part of the house is closed. I know that sounds silly but it works. Try to have big blanket out for the little little ones so they have a place to crawl and the parents can put them down out side that should help keep the indoor traffic to a minimum as well.
I think you might be overthinking this a bit. A party is supposed to be a chance to relax, have fun and let your hair down a bit, even for you, the party giver. Set up everything outside, food, drinks, utensils, and all, and you need to be outside all of the time in order to encourage your guests to be there too. If you are in the kitchen or elsewhere in the house, your guests will be too. When people arrive, let them know everyone is in the backyard already, and they will get the idea. No need to be specific and say stay out there. Just chill out, have a good time with your baby’s guests, and don’t try to micromanage. It’s a kid’s party after all!
If they do end up in the house, chances are it will not be everyone all at once, so no worries.
I think that the main problem you will face is fussy babies and trying to keep people cool.
And i must admit, you seem much more. . . sensible and already thought through than many of the askers here. So there won’t be any sarcasm for you from me.
If you keep the refreshments stocked, and a place for mothers (and fathers etc) to change thier children that would be away from the party, maybe you could put inside. But since its 2 and a half hours, you can probably get away with it, although i’m not sure what the tempature is like in your area. I personally love outdoor parties, the seem. . . to have a much more community feel than stuffy indoor parties.
Also, for the more elderly, you probably want to have a quite a few chairs set up, under maybe a mister, if possible, or near a fan so they can cool off more quickly.
As long as you make sure that it looks like nothing is going on inside, other than where you are keeping extra refreshments and food and bathroom runs, then i believe that people won’t have a desire to be inside.
It sounds as if it will be obvious because of a rain date and how everything will be set up, that there should be no doubt in anyone’s mind that it’s strictly an outside event.
I understand your concern about having the kids indoors. Very nicely voice your concern to the childrens’ parents about just going inside to use the WC (Accompanied By An Adult). This will NOT be rude but smart for your peace of mind and the safety of the kids.
Use your judgement where the very elderly and tiny babies are concerned if it’s a very hot day.
Hope the birthday party is great.
This is what you do sweetie. First good luck in throwing the party it will be great fun am sure.
Okay so do not let them in through the front door leave a sign on the door “Party is around back” with an arrow pointing. Keep all the lights off in the house and make sure the house is immaculate all chairs pushed in and everything put away. No TV or radio on and if you are using the bathroom be sure all doors surrounding the bathroom are closed. If you make the house unwelcoming to sit and feel comfortable people will get the hint without it being said. Be sure you have ample chairs for every single person to be seated comfortably and if someone needs something from inside be sure to say “I will get it, what do you need?”
You will be fine and you will find people prefer the lovely outdoors under an umbrella or a shady tree. Be sure to keep them entertained with music and food and above all be gracious.
Best of luck
I think there are way too many adults there. A first birthday party should just be some toddlers and moms. If you want to throw a party for adults, do it later in the day after the kids have gone home to babysitters.
I definitely recommend against having kiddie pools around in a situation like that. Too many adults means that they’ll all be distracted and nobody is taking care of the kids.