? for you party planners (re: 1st birthday)

LouRN09

I know I have got 4 months until DS turns 1, but I am just trying to start to think about things for DS party. The scary part is the guest list. We have 3 sides to our family (DH's parents are divorced) which totals 57 adults*, and an additional 16 kiddos. That doesnt include the handful of close friends with little ones. I thought about splitting up the group and throwing 2 seperate parties, but I honestly dont want to worry about throwing 2 parties. DH is a volunteer firefighter and is able to rent the multipurpose room at the fire station for $1. Crazy huh?! So I thought a fire themed party for the whole clan would be perfect! Older kiddos can get a tour of the station, trucks, etc. But seriously, over 60 people to a birthday party!?!?!? I know not everyone will be able to attend, but geez thats alot. How do I prevent this from turning into some huge fiasco? Somehow make it more of an open house so people can come and go? Am I just over thinking all of it?

*We are very close to our aunts, uncles, and cousins and I would hate to not invite them to his birthday party. Thats the majority of the guest list.

CodyGH

Holy crap that's a ton of people!  I think the firehouse idea is great.  Maybe you should pick a weekend when you know people are busy so that not everyone comes.  I know that's the opposite of what people would normally do, but you can't have everyone show up.  I like the "come and go" approach, but what about the "big moment" when you sing?  Maybe say it's "come and go" between 2 and 4 (or whatever time) and that the cake presentation will be at 3.  That way some people will come at the beginning and leave right after the cake, some will come in the middle, and some won't come until the cake moment but might stay a while after.  Well, you hope that it works out that way.  I think no matter what you do, if you invite everyone, it will turn into a mad house.  So take a xanax and enjoy the ride! 

AnnaBanana0327

Oh M Gee- I think a firehouse 1st bday for a little boy sounds ADORABLE.  And by the way, a nurse and a fireman- could you guys get any more All American?! 

Our guest list is also creeping up there.  We're at 50 right now.  We are planning to have it at our house.  I'm just praying it doesn't rain because we can not fit that many people inside our house but we have a large fenced in backyard.

keahloni

My sister-in-law had 100 people at her DSs first birthday and our list is getting close to 60 people... its just one of those birthdays. I'm sure the next one won't be that big.

LouRN09

Ok I am glad to know I am not the only one with this type of guest list! With it being early June, I would love an outdoor cookout, but with Ohio Valley weather I wouldnt have an indoor plan B option at the same outdoor location. I like the open house idea but as one of you mentioned, I wouldnt know when to time the "main event" haha.

Oh well. I may just suck it up, have it for a few hours, and be done with it. They all love Levi so much that I couldnt stand not to invite them all!