Thread: Have you taken a year off or quit?

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I'm considering not hosting a party this year after 4 in a row. The last 2 were 30+ people and a few thousand dollars and of course months of work. I've always enjoyed it and most of the guests seem to appreciate it, but a lot of circumstances have changed this year (new baby, quitting job, much less disposable income) and I'm thinking about giving it a rest - maybe temporary, maybe not.

Has anyone quit/taken a year off? How did it go?

How did you let people know? I thiink people sort of count on annual event now.

If you skipped a year/years was it hard to go back to it? Did people come back?

I took last year off. May be taking this year also; we're still debating.

Our group of friends has changed over the years, and a large portion of our group has drifted apart and coupled with the flu hitting a large portion of them in 2009 , we had a very poor turnout.

We did a party 3 years in a row, and then last year we just told people we needed a year off.

I had some friends ask if I'd do one and just "scale it back a little" if the regular party thing was too much... but me personally, that's the reason I like throwing parties - to go absolutely crazy with the decor and a theme and such. So if I didn't feel up to going nuts, then I didn't want to do it at all.

Not saying that you have to go all out, but you could think also about asking for victims... I mean volunteers... to host a party at their house this year and you'll contribute what you feel comfortable with doing (decor, food, or time) and that way at least you'll still have a Halloween party if you feel really bad about missing it.

Nothing wrong with not doing one - you have to decide if you want to or not.

And as I haven't gone back to throwing a party after a year off, I can't tell if the group will come back... but I'd like to think they would.

Me personally, I don't ever plan on taking a year off. There are not enough years in life to let any slip by. I want pictures and memories of every single one.

I have had a party the last three years but have decided not to have one this year. They are a lot of work and expense and the turnout is always low (20ish people). I enjoyed the tots so much last year, I decided to put my time and money into making a better yard haunt for them instead this coming Halloween. We decorated quite a bit last year and had a record amount of TOTers. I'm hoping it gets better every year!

Originally Posted by Kymmm

I have had a party the last three years but have decided not to have one this year. They are a lot of work and expense and the turnout is always low (20ish people). I enjoyed the tots so much last year, I decided to put my time and money into making a better yard haunt for them instead this coming Halloween. We decorated quite a bit last year and had a record amount of TOTers. I'm hoping it gets better every year!

Likewise, I totally agree! This year will be dedicated entirely to my yardhaunt and the better candies for the TOTs!

I'm still deciding whether or not to try a party this year. Last year was my first, and only 3 people showed up. I'd like to try one more time, but with doing a totally new kind of haunt this year, I'm just not sure it's in the budget.

I had thought about it.Of course I always do as it is sooooo much work.We had well over 100 I think 117 or 125 I can't remember now lol.And I can't even remember part of the evening because I was busy keeping my punch pitchers full.
But I decided to do it and hopefully not have as big a crowd.
I am buying 3-4 3 gal drink dispensers so I won't have to be making drinks all night.
I did make 4 pitchers up before hand that hold 120 oz but still had to make more.We went thru 7 gallons of cocktails and a keg.I had way to much food so I can cut back there.
I just can't not do it the kids talk about it all year long and do a countdown so I can't let them down.

Not because I wanted too, my mother died Oct in 2000 and my barn burned down in Jul 2007, those are the only two years I have missed having a party since 1999. I too like kprimm don't want to miss a minute of it...................

explain things arent up to par right now and see if anyone would be willing to help...or make it like a pot luck with some easy simple cheap or possibly free decor...dont try to stick to a theme

I always decorate but I do "even/odd" with my parties. On odd years I have a HUGE party. On even years I have a small party. It has worked out great so far. I am already prepping for my ODD party this year.