Drinks party help

[BrightlightsSmallvillage]

I want to hold a drinks party at christmas to get to know some of our neighbours better. Our house is reasonably sized but very open plan so living room, kitchen, dining room,small sitting area and a playroom are all connected with no walls/doors between them. Kids and adults will be all in together for the most part. Having it at home is half the point as some friends have been badgering us to have a house warming.

My main question is how many people can I invite before it gets too crazy? I want to invite 40 adults but this will also be 40ish kids (mainly 5-10). Just writing this down makes me think I'm mad?

Anyone do this regulary & want to offer any advice on how to make it go smoothly?

sounds like a great layout of a house for a drinks party, remember people will come and go at different times. Do you have a garden you will open up?
40 people is fine, +40 kids though???? (a whole school class +10)- how many kids would fit in the play room area?

Maybe 10-15 in playroom, comfortably. We do have a garden but it will be freezing in December, & probably muddy.

I know most of my friends here through our kids so it makes sense to make it a family event rather than adults only.

I had a party in my house in October one year and even with the rain adults still ventured outside to smoke etc and it helped free up some space through the night. Could you canopy over a patio section, patio heaters?

the number of kids is a slightly stumbling block for me, unless would you be happy for them to go upstairs, hang out in the DC bedrooms etc during the night?

Thanks for your help, canopy is a good idea. I'd be happy for kids in DC bedrooms but should I put something in there to entertain them?

IM sure that many kids will figure it out if toys about- could stick on a film for them in either a bedroom or the playroom - good luck!!