Help with Party Date...

[Lette]

My hubby turns 40 this year on February 15th. http://onceuponalife.com/forums/images/smilies/balloons.gif

I'm planning a party for him at a local pub/restaurant. I'd like to go with a Saturday night and I like the location I've picked. The problem is with dates and room availability.

I had originally planned to go with February 25th as it wasn't too far from his actual date and I figured people might have plans for the 18th since it's right after Valentine's Day.

Problem is their private upstairs room is booked. So here are my options:

Friday, February 24th - Private Upstairs Room
Saturday, February 25th - Downstairs Semi-Private Fayette Room

Saturday, March 4th - Downstairs Semi-Private Fayette Room
Saturday, March 11th - Private Upstairs Room

I'll make this a poll, but I'd like your opinion too.

1) What do you think of Friday night parties?? Too much after a week of work for some? I'd do 7 PM start on Friday or 6 PM on Saturday

2) Would you choose the upstairs over the downstairs? I don't think anyone would be walking directly through our room, but the corner is open as a walkway.

3) Feb 25th is just around the corner. I probably won't be able to get written snail mail invitations out until Wednesday at the latest. So guests would have 2 weeks notice for the party. I can do evites, but not all invitees are on email. Do you think the 25th is too soon to have it?


4) Is March 11th too far past his birthday to wait for the private room ?

http://onceuponalife.com/forums/images/smilies/crazy.gif

What should I do? I need to make a quick decision if I'm going with the early date.

[AmyP]

I voted for 2/25. Although 3/4 is my second choice. I chose 2/25 over 3/4 because it's closer to his birthday. 3/4 isn't too late to have it - just not my first choice. 3/11 is too late IMO.

I think the semi-private room is fine. I really don't think too many people will be walking through if they see you are in the middle of a private party. At least I personally wouldn't want to do that.

I know when I was working a normal 9-5 that 7 pm was a little tough for me to get to a party. That's why I didn't go for the Friday night party. A bit too rushed IMO. :dunno:

[bunybomb]

I voted for Saturday 3/4 to give people and yourself more time. I would go for the downstairs semi-private room. I just went to a party this Saturday in a semi private room and it worked out great.

[Gerri]

Hey Lette! What a good wifey you are to be planning a big bash for dh! :woo: You go girl!

I for one LOVE a Friday night party. Even if it's a scramble to get ready for it, it's always so nice to have a fun night out on a Friday, and then wake up the next morning with your whole weekend still in front of you. :biggrin: :woo:

Either way, I think that anyone who wants to be there will make it there regardless of whatever night it's on. :nod:

ETA: I would prefer to have party in a private room, but a semi-private room would be fine too.

[Dennis]

I voted for March 4. I'm not a big fan of Friday parties at all - the last thing I want to do at the end of the week is go out. And I think the semi-private room is fine.

Dennis

[~Deborah~]

I say private room all the way on Feb 24th. I like parties close to the people's birthdays :)

[Clare]

I say private room all the way on Feb 24th. I like parties close to the people's birthdays :)

Ditto. March is too long after his birthday. I think Friday night is fine and the short notice is also fine. Those who want to be there will be :)

[LISA]

I voted Feb 25th, I don't think it's short notice at all and would go with a private room :)

[Chantal]

I for one LOVE a Friday night party. Even if it's a scramble to get ready for it, it's always so nice to have a fun night out on a Friday, and then wake up the next morning with your whole weekend still in front of you. :biggrin: :woo:

.

I completely agree with Gerri here :) Esp when you have kids and like to do things with them through the weekend too.

[Theresa]

I voted for the 24th. I love Friday night parties! It gives you something to look forward to if you have a bad week at work.

[MrsPeacefrog]

I also love the Friday night party too, when I was working full time we always went out on the friday straight after work and partied the memories of the week away, and then we had all weekend to recover!

a 7pm start gives people ample time to get there, and for those that it might inconvenience they will end up appreciating having the rest of the weekend free!

[Kara]

I voted for the 24th too!!! I enjoy a Friday night party as well and if you can get them out by Wed, thats still two weeks notice!

[Lette]

Wow! I'm surprised at all the Friday votes!

Thanks everyone.. keep your opinions coming! :)

[Hannabanana]

Hey Lette! What a good wifey you are to be planning a big bash for dh! :woo: You go girl!

I for one LOVE a Friday night party. Even if it's a scramble to get ready for it, it's always so nice to have a fun night out on a Friday, and then wake up the next morning with your whole weekend still in front of you. :biggrin: :woo:

Either way, I think that anyone who wants to be there will make it there regardless of whatever night it's on. :nod:

ETA: I would prefer to have party in a private room, but a semi-private room would be fine too.

Oddly ... I agree with her :woa:
:lol:
I like to wake up the next morning & realize that I've still got two more sleeps until I have to go back to work. Stretches the weekend out. :biggrin:

[Jayne]

I also voted Friday night. For me there is no question as I have to get up early on Sunday's for church so I like to have Friday parties so that I have a relaxing day the next day with nothing important early in the morning!

[AmyLynn]

2/24 in the private room upstairs.

[KristenF]

I did vote for Friday, the only reason I would hesitate is how much stress will it give YOU getting ready for it on a weeknight-can you take off work early? I would definitely pick a night when a private room is available, if the kids are going, I would want to make it as difficult as possible for them to escape :lol:

[Lette]

Thanks so much everyone!!
Here's the update.... We had to go with March 4th in the Fayette Room downstairs.

Several factors have come into play that I just found out about:

The Private Room upstairs doesn't have bathrooms on that floor. They are either on the 1st or 3rd floor. MIL and BIL would have a hard time with that, and there are spiral stairs. I didn't only nix this room because of them, but for others as well.
The spiral stairs pose a problem if I invite any kids (.. that will be another thread :lol: ). They told me that kids love to play on them and it's not very safe.
I wasn't thinking when I posted and I didn't think so many of you would pick Friday. Friday nights in our area (Philly Suburb) are notorious for BAD traffic. Add a little rain, or god forbid S _ _ _ ,and you're SOL. :updown: My invitees would be coming from as far away as Southern NJ, Delaware and several suburbs of PA. That could be a nightmare.
My parents would be coming and they wouldn't make a Friday on time.
The Fayette room will be private until 9:30 PM. I'm starting at 6, so that's not too much of a concern with me.
Also, the Fayette room has a back section with couches and booths. I liked this area as it was very casual and fun. It also can quarantine any kids... like mine! :lol:
So... Thanks for all of your votes!
I'm off to print out some quick invitations and I'll be needing advice on whether or not to invite kids. :scratch: We have several friends that might not come if we don't invite their kids, only because we're inviting their parents too, so they'd have to come up with another sitter. MY kids will be there, so I'm not sure that's fair.... anyway I'm starting to blather.. :blahblah

One more thing... tell me if you think this is corny to put on the invites?
"No party!” Jim told me, “Get me golf clubs instead!"
But when have I ever listened
to a thing that he’s said?
So I decided to invite those we hold dear
to help us celebrate his 40TH YEAR!
Since his birthday was in February,
it should be a surprise
If you keep it a secret,
he will not surmise!

[bunybomb]

That's a terrific invite Lette!

I'm one that picked the later date and a Saturday. As as someone that works all week, Friday nights don't work too well. Saturdays allow people some recouping time before getting ready to party.

Can't wait to see pictures. It's going to be a great bash!

[AmyP]

Sounds like you made the right decision. I think the invite is cute. :)

[~Deborah~]

Love the invite:aok:

I think we can make March 4th:awink:...Joking of course :)

[Lette]

Love the invite:aok:

I think we can make March 4th:awink:...Joking of course :)

You know that you are welcome if you are in town!! :)