Have a big birthday coming up and have decided to break habit of many years and have a birthday party. Gulp.
To give some context, last party I had for myself alone was when I was five (I had joint parties with my best friend from 5 yrs through teenagerhood). Last year I invited some friends out for a drink and the uninvited them the day before. Yes, I am that phobic. (Although love love love other peoples parties!).
However, I think now is the time to grasp the nettle. We have just moved in a house so could be good opportunity for housewarming and also dry run for wedding.
Going to start with just family (which numbers 40 - siblings, nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles etc).
The plan so far is this...
Cocktails and cake (afternoon tea but boozy) at our house from about 2-3ish, with lovely live music. Will get a small marquee for garden as house is 3 bed terrace and only have two (reasonable sized) rooms downstairs - front room and large kitchen diner across back of house).
Then lovely local restaurant has agreed to cater for 30-40, with gorgeous pizza/salads for all (pre-ordered so not stressful ordering etc) with table at 6.00, so we could all wander up to the restaurant then.
This means those with kids could peel off at this point for bedtimes if need be.
Then those who want to could come back to ours for more drinks and music, but would be chilled and wouldn't have all been milling around for hours and hours in our smallish house. Also means (knowing my family too well!) is unlikely to go on till wee hours as food will have soporific effect.
So thoughts? Is this overthinking things? Would it be weird heading out for dins?
Have completely got myself in a muddle!
Any other ideas for a low key birthday celebration for a party virgin?