Ethan's party is Sunday at the train museum. It was supposed to start at 11:30 so everyone can arrive to eat lunch, with a train ride for everyone from 1-2:20, then cake and presents after. I figured it would end about 3.
The guy emailed me last night and says he has another party arriving at two and he hopes we can be wrapped up by then. Figuring people don't arrive right on time, how am I going to feed 15 people a buffet lunch, cake, then do presents and have it all cleaned up in an hour and a half before the train ride? The train ride time and duration is set by the museum, not me. I don't see how it's possible.
What do I do? Help!!
Re: Help! Party Problems
Disclaimer: I have had less than 2 hours of sleep. My advice could be super shitty. Good luck!
Emma Rose - 9.14.05 Beckett - 5.26.07 Sawyer - 9.22.12 Lennon Mae - 9.26.14
I like that idea @AlinnJo, maybe we could just let the kids rip into stuff while people are eating.
W's party was listed from 11-2 (way too long in hindsight, for what we were doing; most left at 12;30/1). Some people arrived at 11:30, some insisted on eating at 11:35 (*cough* inlaws *cough*) but most ate at 12 as they straggled in. The buffet trips were wrapped up around 12:15 and most were done eating or in progress, so we did the birthday cake (didn't matter that some guests were still munching). Then we cut and plated the cake, and everyone was done with cake at 12:30. You can do last food call while you're cutting the cake at 12:15, and have DH start packing the food up. Presents can come after cake is handed out (give LO the first piece). Anything from you, I'd just do at home or at least last. At about 12:50 you'll need someone to start taking the presents out to the car. If you don't get through all the presents, just apologize.
I think the important thing here is that the party has to roll on. Latecomers can grab a plate of food while you're doing cake, but your time line has to move on. Just explain there is another party and you have to be out.
11:30-12: guests arrive (late arrivers will have to catch up)
11:45/12: set out food buffet (are you doing a buffet thing) and encourage people to eat
12:20/12:25 birthday song with candles
12:25: give LO a piece of cake, announce last call for buffet, one parent start plating and handing out cake while the other puts the lunch stuff in the car
12:35 as soon as LO is done with cake, start opening presents. Mom and dad have a couple bites of cake while other guests are also enjoying their cake.
12:50 Take presents to car.
1-2:20
You know the other option is to spread a message by word of mouth. I would probably call my SILs to let them know the train ride is at 1, so it is lunch, cake, presents are in that short time before. AKA, if you want lunch and cake it's important to be here on time.