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Original poster

Saturday or Sunday for a class party?

33 replies

Bournetilly · 03/04/2024 12:57

Would you prefer a class party to be on a Saturday or Sunday? I know children tend to have more activities on a Saturday so wouldn’t want people not to come because of this.

Im thinking the party will be 11am-1pm then it doesn’t take up the whole day and the children will be fed at lunch time.

OP posts:
Helpfullright · 03/04/2024 12:59

11-1 would be my idea of a nightmare! Literally wipes out a Sunday and just as bad on a Saturday.

aim for either 10-12 or 2-4/3-5 that way people can still have half a chance of something else. Especially multi child families.

frenchfancy81 · 03/04/2024 13:02

11 till 1 would suit me- not too early and not too late and then you still have the whole afternoon.
As for Saturday or Sunday, either would be OK for us with notice.
I think that when you accept that you can never please everyone with parties and timings- and you'll never get everyone coming- the whole thing's a lot more enjoyable and less stressful!

Meganmeccano · 03/04/2024 13:03

Saturday at end of day e.g. 3.30-5.30, otherwise early on Sunday (11-1 is not good...parents/rest of family will have to gobble their lunch then rush to pick up their DC, or delay for a late lunch (even though party child will have already eaten), perhaps not convenient for their afternoon or for other DC esp. if young, in a routine).

coxesorangepippin · 03/04/2024 13:04

Saturday morning

MissionaryMumtoOne · 03/04/2024 13:06

We do Saturday’s for parties because we do church and family time / sabbath on sundays, but appreciate we may be unusual

reluctantbrit · 03/04/2024 13:06

I don't mind the dates, enough notice and we are normally ok to skip an activity.

But 11-1 is my idea of hell. DD was never a big eater at parties so I would have to organise a really late lunch for all of us and that means the rest of the afternoon is gone.

Better is 10-12 or 2-4 even better as it means the children are happy with cake/snacks and there is enough time for them to calm down and have normal dinner.

MinervaMcGonagallsCat · 03/04/2024 13:07

Just do it when it suits you.

We have as many extra curriculars on a Saturday as a Sunday. Neither is better or worse.

11-1pm is as good a time as any. At least with that slot (and you feeding them) then families can carry on with their day afterwards.

Original poster
Bournetilly · 03/04/2024 13:09

Thanks, can definitely do 10-12. Thought this might be too early but I guess most people with young kids are up early anyway. Would rather have it in the morning than afternoon.

OP posts:
Original poster
Bournetilly · 03/04/2024 13:14

Another question: If party is 10-12 and entertainer booked for 2 hours (minimum time) what timings would you do for food/ cake?

Would entertainer 10-11:30 then food and cake be best or entertainer 10-12 then food and cake? (So party would probably be 10-12:30)

OP posts:
Fluffyc1ouds · 03/04/2024 15:17

10-12 is great and I'd be happy with Saturday or Sunday at that time. No need to do food either, I definitely wouldn't expect any for those timings. Just cake at the end.

I reckon 10-11.30 for the entertainer, then cake afterwards. I was at a party this weekend that went on for 2.5 hours and in that last 30 mins the kids started turning feral, parents ran out of chit chat and I felt like I'd been there for a lifetime.

Fluffyc1ouds · 03/04/2024 15:19

Also to add, we don't have activities on the weekend but I know a few kids who have clubs or swimming lessons on Saturday mornings. So I guess Sunday might be more popular.

reluctantbrit · 03/04/2024 17:18

When we had entertainers they normally did 1 hour, then 20-30 minutes break for food and then another 30 minutes.

For a 10-12 party I would expect food, crazy for me but it seems the expected way to do it, otherwise you will find parents haven't planned lunch.

I would see if your entertainer is ok with doing 1 1/2 hours and you feed the horde at 11.30.

StarDolphins · 03/04/2024 17:20

I used to hate late parties. Too much sugar & stimulation 2-3 hrs before bed!

Sunday 11-1 or 1-3 was my fave!

mynameiscalypso · 03/04/2024 17:23

I'd prefer 11-1 to 10-12 but appreciate I'm in the minority but I'm also lazy. I'd also prefer Saturday to Sunday. DS goes to a catholic school so him and a lot of his classmates go to mass on a Sunday morning

Snowpaw · 03/04/2024 17:26

My DD gets up regularly at 5.45am so I very much prefer morning parties!!

Wonderwall23 · 03/04/2024 17:32

I would always try to prioritise getting my DS to a party so wouldn't really mind when it was.

I'm assuming this is for quite a young child...only thing I would say is that once they get to about 7 there might be kids who are committed to playing football matches on Saturday mornings.

ColleenDonaghy · 03/04/2024 17:46

IME once they're at school a lot of people have activities on Saturday morning. And then family stuff and maybe church on Sunday. Saturday afternoons are the most popular here for that reason.

soundsys · 03/04/2024 17:51

I know you said you'd prefer morning but I think you have to accept that means more people can't make it - either due to clubs on Saturdays or church on Sundays. But of course that very much depends on your DCs friends, if none are church goers then go for Sunday!

I prefer Sundays as my kids have music on Saturdays and a lot of their friends have football but obviously that's specific to us!

Crabble · 03/04/2024 17:55

Everyone will have a different preference (as this thread shows!) so just do what suits you best!

I also have usually known entertainers 2h slots to include a break for food so check with them if that’s part of their plan

N4ish · 03/04/2024 18:14

10 - 12 seems like a bizarre time for a party in my opinion. If my child got an invitation for that time on a Saturday morning I’d be saying a polite no thanks.

Bluepint · 03/04/2024 18:19

I think 11-1 is perfect. Not too early and includes lunch time. Saturday or Sunday makes no difference to us, maybe Sunday better as we occasionally do an activity Saturday morning, and I imagine more people will do activities on Saturdays..

bows101 · 03/04/2024 18:21

We have been to an equal split of both Saturday and Sundays and both seem to have the same turn out so I don't think it matters too much to people

dipsytipsy · 03/04/2024 18:25

I would prefer Sunday 3-5 or 4-5:30pm. We have football, lunch etc to do and a late Sunday party means dc can have dinner there and come home bath and bed. I reject Saturday parties unless i have absolutely nothing to do that day. Saturdays are precious for us and obviously everyone will feel different with which works best for their spare time on weekends.

Hoplittlebunnyhophophopandstop · 03/04/2024 18:26

Are you feeding the adults for lunch? If not by the time they get home and grab some thing to eat most the day would be over. I would probably skip a party at this time.

Pinkpinkpink15 · 03/04/2024 18:28

N4ish · 03/04/2024 18:14

10 - 12 seems like a bizarre time for a party in my opinion. If my child got an invitation for that time on a Saturday morning I’d be saying a polite no thanks.

@n4ish

that's fine, your choice. But why do you think it's bizarre & would refuse?

@Bournetilly there isn't a perfect time, choose what suits you & crack on.

my preference is Saturday afternoon. Saturday morning is usually quite busy with various activities & Sundays I prefer to have a free day to be either lazy or spontaneous, but if invited on a Sunday, I'd still take them.