Big party, small house

[BlueCurtain]

Help! I've agreed to host a party in November with approx 12 adults and the same number of children... The only thing is, my house is tiny. We do have a garden but I'm thinking it might be too cold by then to use it? Has anyone hosted a big party in a small house? Any tips? Or would it just be easier to hire somewhere?

How tiny is the house?

How old are the children?

Is it a day time event or an evening party?

It's a two bedroom with a combined lounge/dining room and separate kitchen. I probably have enough armchairs etc for 6 people. The children are aged from 4 - 6 and it'll be daytime, over lunch.

Unless it's snowing kick kids into garden. Make sure food is picky and can be eaten standing. Maybe borrow a few chairs from a neighbour? Move all clutter upstairs.

It's November: have a bonfire. Serve "posh" hot dogs and mulled wine in the garden and pray the rain holds off!

Our house is little. If we have parties we move as much of the downstairs furniture as possible into the upstairs rooms. Even moving small stuff like floor lamps and toy boxes helps if your space is small.

How tight are funds? I bought a huge marguee for our garden and it was only ninety quid from amazon. Depending on the size of your garden you could get a cheaper smaller one and put some patio heaters in there. But you'll also need chairs and tables. Can you borrow stuff?

I'd probably look to hire someplace though. 24 people is a lot and I don't think hosting in the house will work.

This is the one we have, it's honestly great, I've had it up for two parties now, both times just in case of rain.

You get smaller versions that are cheaper.

www.amazon.co.uk/Airwave-Gazebo-Marquee-WindBars-Waterproof/dp/B009SO4SIY/ref=sr_1_5?s=outdoors&keywords=marquee&tag=mumsnetforum-21&ie=UTF8&qid=1536487247&sr=1-5

I would look for a cheap gazebo on local selling sites - people will be getting rid now Summer is over. And yes to bonfire and hotdogs! Get a big offcut of carpet or an old rug by the back door to stop mud being traipsed through the house by people going in & out.

The thing is hosting that many people is actually really expensive.

I just had one for forty people, ok, more folks, but I've done 25 before, and you've to think through everything from booze, to soft drinks, to food, to nibbles, to even things like crockery, cutlery, napkins and glasses, I bought all disposable ones in case of mishaps. Even if you only did burgers, that's probably 35 burgers, as you need to account for one to two each depending on age. Can you cook 35 burgers easily? It really needs to be thought through. You can do big pots of curry or lasagne, but need to account for the kids and what they will eat. Baked potatoes is a good one.

There isn't going to be enough room in the house to serve food and drink comfortably with twelve kids running round and you can't chuck em outside if it rains or when they need feeding.

So that means you have no choice but to use outside, and when you use outside, then you need to think through the weather implications. You also need to think through seating. Folks don't want to be standing for three hours depending on age, and especially if they have to feed children. Also you need to think about parking. Can they all get parked?

I'm not trying to be negative, but the reality is this is a big undertaking.

I'd possibly look at hiring a community centre or town hall if funds are tight, they usually have all the table and seating stuff you need, and you can bring in your own food and disposable crockery, tumblers and cutlery.

Agree with hiring a community hall for all the reasons already given. Our Co-Op had a hall above their shop we hired. We had use of their kitchen and the big water heater/urn thingy too. And it really wasn't expensive.
How many toilets you got,OP, btw?

Agree with Bluntness - it is a bigger undertaking than you might think - and will be fairly expensive. It's not the actual catering but as mentioned all the extras such as seating and crockery etc (disposable a good idea). Maybe you could prepare party food boxes for the DC in advance? Then they can be served all at once; maybe put them on a cheapish picnic rug or two on the floor in the main room?

One major consideration is having enough fridge space; especially for barbecue meat products (but with it being winter at least you can put drinks in trugs filled with ice outside maybe?).

Also, remember to have somewhere (cheap hanging rack) for everyone to put coats and scarves etc as that can be a nuisance at the beginning/end of hosting when you are having to run upstairs to put coats on a bed (or delegate this task to two sensible DC).

Also - another thing to think about is serving tea and coffee to many people all at once. Ime it's a pain! Either make a decision not to serve it, delegate task to others and set up separate serving area, or prep in advance "one type for all no exceptions" such as Irish coffees (but perhaps not good if people driving).

Are you preparing entertainment for DC? Or prepping games etc? If so, that needs to be well organised if space is tight. A Punch and Judy or magic show could be good for that age group?

Yes, hiring a hall is a good idea! And Aviator's point about lavs is rather vital!

The point on fridge space is a good one. Food takes up a lot of space for 24 folks. In addition you need to think about things like ice. You need to be able to cool drinks. We have a huge Tupperware box, which we fill with ice and put the beers and soft drinks in. It's about three foot long and two foot wide from homebase and we've three of them. One alone and you can get about sixty to eighty cans in.

Also don't forget loo roll, you'd be shocked how much people can get through 🤣

Also people will bring things, drinks, flowers, so you need to think where you will put it all. We personally put the booze given with the rest of the booze and let folks help themselves,

The coats and stuff is also good point. People need to be able to get their stuff easily if going in and out and you don't want 24 coats litering up the place.

12 young kids is a lot, so how to entertain them is key, else they will run riot with excitement.

And make sure you've a first aid box in case of scraped knees etc.

Thank you, everyone - I'm really grateful for all the tips (especially love the idea of a bonfire, gazebo, drinks cooling outside etc.) But you're right too about all the cost involved - think I need to work out cost of having it at home v cost of a hall etc and see if spending that bit more is worth it just to reduce the logistical headache of having it at home It's just a general friends' get together that happens three times a year - I guess I just worry that either people will feel crammed into the small space (home) or a hall might feel a bit impersonal?? It is possible I am overthinking this though

Friends get together - can’t you go fir s nice pub meal and a walk?

As for additional costs of hiring a hall - round here is its about £8-10/hour. Scout hut is £50/day.

How have the others done it, if it happens three times a year?

Bluntness100 they've done it in their homes but they're all much much larger than mine!

Ah ok, I'd probably go for the cheap gazebo then, and find a way to warm it, because if you need to regularly take turns, then it will pay for itself eventually. And people might feel bad if they think you're shelling out for a hall or something.

I think you're right! Thanks for your help, off to Google gazebos and heaters now....

Get one with sides, it keeps rain and wind out, makes a huge difference,,,you can probably get one from amazon for 30or forty quid.

Heaters are more expensive but you could get a cheap tower heater from amazon also and run an extension from the house. Put the sides on and ir will be warm in no time.

If you've patio doors at the back, just leave them open, and voila you've an extension. 😁

Good luck op! One word of caution - worth checking for presence of carbon monoxide - very easily mistake to make with tents and heaters. Hope you don't mind me mentioning it but better safe than sorry! Sure there will be plenty of fresh air in November though!

Great idea to have gazebo attached to house btw!

Ooh yes, thank you Chipotle carbon monoxide poisoning would definitely make it a party to remember for all the wrong reasons

Do like the idea of a gazebo 'extension' too!

i worry about this every party i have and it always is fine. Any unnecessary furniture in the party main space (i assume the lounge) you can put upstairs? Push tables and sofas to the perimeter- open the door to the garden to give the feeling of space- many bodies produce heat, i had a party in October and it felt like a furnace with the heating off. Food in the kitchen on the surfaces so people help themselves from there. Hope this helps.

Good ideas, especially the heating!
Paper plates and cups, get a marker so people can write their names on the cups. I would also plan activities for the children. We clear a bedroom where they can retreat with dvds, pens, paper etc for an art competition, treasure hunt in the garden. Maybe save glass jars for them to decorate as candle holders to use in the evening?

Check out your local council for hall hire. We have a couple close by that are under £4 per hour that we’ve used for birthday parties. They usually have trestle tables and chairs included, plus a kitchen for food prep. Then you could think about just ordering in pizzas for food and you could cordon off an area for the kids with some big garden games like Jenga/noughts and crosses and have a craft/colori g table for the littles...