Thread: Party date?

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A very good friend that helps out a lot is going out of town the weekend we were planning our party (24th).

He was unavailable last year due to a family wedding, and we shifted our party day so he could come (he asked).

I am torn. I do NOT want to schedule a party for the same weekend as Halloween (like have it on Friday the 30th) because last year we did Halloween and our party two days in a row and I was wiped out and burned out.

My options are to go ahead and have it for the day we wanted (the 24th) and he'll be unable to attend, have it a week early on the 17th (eh) or a week later on November 7th (which happens to be my birthday - and I do not like birthday parties ).

We don't have a large group - generally around 20 maximum and his absence will be felt as he and his girlfriend are a big help and she usually wins one of the costume contests with her wacky/cool costumes... so it really bothers me that they'll be gone, but I'm leaning towards doing it on the original date.

What would you do?

I had about 8 people who were not going to be able to make my original date of Saturday, October 24th. I didn't want to change the date, but after asking around, everyone was able to do Halloween night instead so I decided to go ahead and change it to the 31st. I'm having a weenie roast on the 30th for both mine & my husband's entire families. I know we will be wiped out because we've done it this way in the past. I wanted to avoid that this year, but it looks like I'll be doing a big party two nights in a row again this year. We're just going to try & be more prepared ahead of time. Hopefully, that will make things a little easier on us this year. Good luck with your decision. I know it's a tough one. I was pretty upset too when I found out that some of my friends who get into the party the most were not going to be able to make it.

I'm doing my party on the 17th this year, 2 weeks early. I did the same thing last year & it turned out great. We were able to rest up before Halloween actually came. It's really hard to accomodate everyone. Sometimes you just have to set the date and keep it there unless it will affect a whole bunch of people. By moving the date, you may be inconveniencing some of your other guests though.

Hallow Frankie's Girl -- I wish we could all clone ourselves to give one another a helping hand when overload is reaching critical mass during Halloween season... but since that is not likely (well - unless you are a sheep ) here is how I have managed in the past as our parties grew and grew - especially on those years when the party dates were back to back or close to it.
I recruited several neighborhood teens (girls - more mature for their ages - no offense boys) to help with party/kitchen duty. One was stationed in the kitchen all night - bless her - to handle frequent re-organizing of food table/counter set ups - foods, dishes that needed to be cleaned off - - replenishing the pretzels - runs to the garage frig for more ice - - -that sort of thing. Two other teens enjoyed walking food trays around - offering the "finger" foods and taking beverage orders. They dressed like creepy butlers (towels over the arm, pretend tux or apron) and would return to their post standing completely still next to our life-size butler (which we place near the kitchen) Guests got a kick out of seeing them act like mannequins until their food trays were re-filled. Then we would push a pretend button on them and off they would go to offer more goodies to the crowd. Sill another teen was stationed in the back room where a special craft area was set up for the little ones - mask making with glue, sparkles, beads, crayons, etc. Finally, another was enjoying the party until the last hour when she stepped in to help with final clean up, pick up trash, load the dishwasher .

Bottom line - as the saying goes - "Many Hands make light work... it CAN be done, and in my opinion, it won't put you in the grave if you can get a few helping hands. For us -- with the teenage helper-skelters - it all came together and, although I relinquished some of my duties - and held my breath that all would be well - everyone had a grand time!

We serve more than 200 people two nights in a row. All ages - all scare levels. . . so far, no one's complained and I keep my head. It wasn't so overwhelming when I did the advance planning - had some after-school get-togethers to go over party duties - and voila!

Anyway -- overall -- choose on the side of love. I think having your good friends and significant other there is the whole point - but you can't make everyone happy all the time. Plus, it seems that later in November is just too darn late. Thanksgiving is knocking on my brain by November 7th... I say "Embrace the wild weekend of 10/30-31 and go for it!!"

Well, I do go on... it's the Mummy in me... but hopefully this blab o' mine helps a bit. . . BOO!

I agree with Susie....what's a party without having the people you want there? And since you have a small group, its even more important that the right guests attend.
I'd either do it on the 17th or hire in some extra help and do it halloween weekend.

MsM

I second the opinion to change the date. It's stinks I know, but if this person is a really good friend you won't be happy without them there. But if you feel like it's just going to be too much for Halloween weekend, then don't change the date. Being wiped out is NO FUN either. My main goal for this yr is to not be wiped out!! What about invites? Don't you have the date on the invites already?

Haven't sent out invites yet. So it's still possible to change the day.

Have to discuss in more detail with the hubby, but I really appreciate the opinions.

Hate to sound like the mean one, but I would probably not change the date. A party is annual for me so not all of my closest friends can make it every year (weddings, family obligations, work). I try to accomodate everyone best I can, without stressing too much.

If you are considering changing the date, just make sure you wont be excluding anyone else important that may not be able to make it on the new date.

It sounds to me like these are very good friends of yours who help you out alot and add a lot of life to your party. Since you haven't mailed your invites out yet - I would absolutely change the date to make sure they can attend. I know it's a lot of work to do it 2 days in a row (been there), but there is something magical about a Halloween party on Halloween - there's just something in the air! I say Put on the coffee and go for it - with all of your closest friends there with you! Happy Halloween!

Ya snooze ya loose I would say to my friend. I would not change the day because of him just because It would totally burn me out to have it the night before Halloween. Besides...all us procrastinators need the night before Halloween to take care of last minute haunting detales befor Haunting hour.