1st birthday party - 11am or 3pm?

charmcitygirl

We're starting to prepare for Jacob's 1st birthday party (wow!).  Jacob usually naps from 9-11 and 2-3ish.  I can't decide if I want to have his party at 11am and put him down for a nap at 2pm as usual.  Or have it at 3pm when he's normally awake from 3ish until 7 when he goes to bed.

We're having a rather large party (70 invited guests) at our house.  It will be the middle of March, so odds are that people won't be able to go outside.

I was originally thinking 11am, but now I'm thinking 3pm.

Thoughts?

samk213

My sister always has her kids parties around 4:00 because she's got 3 that still take naps at the same times as yours.

sixres

I'd say 3.  That way he's up and ready to go and will last as long as people stay.  If it's 11, you're worrying about getting him down before it's too late, then worrying about all the noise for the guests that haven't left yet.  Have fun!!  Ours is in a week!  We've got 144 guests (adults & children) invited.  So far 60 rsvps!!  I'm sorta freakin out...lol.

Susanann

I'm impressed... I haven't even starting thinking about Leah's party yet!  I would go with 3pm though, for the same reasons as pps.

choco_lab

I would do 3.  At least you know he'll get in one good nap and then he has a good reason to "exit" the party when it's bedtime.  If you had it at 11, there's a good chance that he wouldn't get his 2 nap for one reason or another.  Hopefully, he can leave the party on a good note to go to bed and not leave the party cranky for a 2:00 nap!

desabean

First of all-- yikes-- first birthday already!!!

2nd, I would probably go with 3 just because in my world, people would stay anyway if it was at 11 and that makes for too long of a day....right?  At 3, most people will want to leave or take the cue when it is jacob's bed time, I would think.

have fun planning!!  I can't wait and yet it makes me cry to think of her growing up so fast.

EastCoastBride

We had DS's at 3, but it was more because we wanted people to stay and hang out and kind of turn it into an adult party after he went to bed. 

charmcitygirl

Thanks, ladies!  You're totally right about 3pm.  And another reason to have it at 3 is because we have a bunch of friends with toddlers who only take afternoon naps.  That way everyone can be well-rested for the party!

JillRock96

We had ours 12 to 3 and it was perfect.  At that time Ava normally woke from her morning nap at 11, so she was in a great mood when the party started.  She started to get cranky right around 3, so I put her down for her afternoon nap -- which was perfect for getting people to leave. (Not that I didn't want guests to stay -- but being pg with twins and planning a party with lunch for 30 was exhausting!)

SeaSoul

We had ours from 12-2 (luncheon) and it worked out great for all involved!

rockvillebride

We just had ours at 11am and it worked great! It went into his 1pm nap a little bit, but he was fine and slept afterwards. Happy early birthday!