Party planning help!

kkh2002 · May 2010

We're starting to think about Sarah's first birthday coming up in July. Anything outside won't work since it'll likely be 150* by then. A friend has offered to have it at her house and cater everything (she makes AWESOME BBQ) but then we're running into the size of the guest list. We still have a LOT of friends and family who haven't met Sarah yet simply because we were under flu/RSV lockdown for months after she finally made it home. So right now we're looking at inviting 75-80 people minimum. And we really think we'll end up with at least 50-60 coming. That's too many for someone's house.

We looked at the Hoover Lakehouse (at 65 & 459) - it'll be $200 rental and we'll still have to provide everything and clean up. Then we thought about a local pizza place that we LOVE - they have a Saturday pizza special that DH would bring me every weekend that I was in the hospital on bedrest, so they've all sort of followed along with Sarah's story. 2/3 of the restaurant is a somewhat separate room with tables and booths that the owner has said he'll close off for us from 2-5 on a Saturday for no charge. It would easily hold 50-75 people. We'd end up buying probably 20 pizzas and sodas for everyone so we're looking at about $250-$300 but we wouldn't have to cook, transport, or clean up when it's all over. All we'd have to bring are some balloons and a cake. It's not terribly kid friendly, but honestly, we only have 2-3 friends with small kids.

Would this work for a first birthday? Or is it sort of weird?

lilcrablegs · May 2010

I think it sounds great. It will be worth it to not have to clean up, provide utensils, cups, etc... all around better for a bigger group. One of my baby showers was at an Italian restaurant and it was fabulous! SO easy, and very good for socializing for those people who haven't met her yet.

star21gazer · May 2010

I agree with Bethany...and it's pretty neat that you can tell her one day about the connection between her birth and her first birthday...I'd totally do it!

kc0721 · May 2010

I think it's a great idea. Like Bethany said, not having to cleanup nor provide all the extras is a HUGE plus. Plus you're getting the space for free, that would definitely be the way to go.

MrsAO · May 2010

I agree, go for the pizza place, sounds like fun!

We're in July too and gonna be crazy and do the outside thing. Well both inside and outside. I'm hoping the little ones will be up for taking a dip w/ M in the kiddie pools we're going to get.