20 adults and 40 kids coming for tea and mulled wine...will it all go Lord of the Flies? what are we meant to do?

[hatwoman]

Do we just produce sandwiches, mince pies and wine and hope kids will amuse themselves/adults will exercise a bit of control? or do we have to "entertain" them? if so how?

How the feck did you get roped in to this???!!

I would do bowl of chilli or similar rather than sandwiches - they are so time consuming to make. You could do v mild kid friendly chilli too (have done this myself).

Without knowing invite details, its hard to say on the "entertainment" issue. However, if I was invited to tea and mulled wine with my kids, I would expect to be responsible for them and not palm them off.

Are you mad? All I can say is "Good Luck to you!"

sorry, not much help

or maybe something like sticky ribs/chicken wings etc with salad and rice.

Produce copious numbers of mine cupcakes/chocolate crispies/ tiny biscuits/mini cheddars for the children. Keep them fed and they will be happy. I don't know many five year olds or younger who eat mince pies. How old are the visiting children?

hatwoman - we had a similar even last christmas and are having a similar thing this christmas.. it is bedlam and fabulous... the kids will sort themselves out.
we did make sure the brio train set was easily accessible.

hi again. the invite said "tea - sandwiches, minced pies and mulled wine" the sandwiches bit was meant for the kids, the mince pies and wine for the grown ups...

I've got pizza for kids, plus some sandwiches, crisps, and rice krispies thingies.

I've also got a load of blank cards and stickers so they can make a christmas card each, and I can put colouring stuff out. dh wants to put a dvd on, he says it will be impossible if we don;t (it would be in the play room - grown ups can be in kitchen/sitting room, so it won;t dominate, but part of me doesn't want to).

I think people will come and go at different times, I've been gaily saying "pop in whenever". which could be a good thing

the reason is because we're moving in jan - so this is school friends, parents, siblings. ages from 0-12 probably. I think it'll be ok...

Good lord, do you live in a Manor house?

I had trouble the other week having 8 adults round for dinner.

I'm sure the kids will hunt out the toys to play with and the colouring etc will keep them busy. If things do get abit rowdy then maybe put a DVD in an aim to calm things slightly.

What you have planned re food sounds fine. People wont be expecting any huge, just nibbles.

Ive done huge parties for 30+ kids. YES they have been manic at times but great fun too

well "tea" is going to be standing around affair. we're not seating them for heaven's sake

I was joking. I could cram that many into our house, if a few didn't mind nibbles in the bathroom.

As you said they will be coming in dribs and drabs I think it sounds fine. You are very organised!

So rather you than me.

I'm having 5 other children (to add to my 2) and their 3 mums over for a Christmas party tea on Monday, and that is very very definitely my limit!! Kids are aged 4-8.

My 'entertainment' is decorating (pre maid) Christmas biscuits with writing icing, a pin the nose of the Christmas reindeer (you should be able to find a suitable image to print off if you google) and a 45 minute nativity dvd.

I think with 20 children you need crowd control and your dh is right about the dvd - a must!

pre-made (oops)

Can you rope anyone to be "on duty" in the playroom, or take turns - IME children go mental at a party with no supervision, particularly after loads of sugar

Your DH is so right about the DVD - craft activities fine and worthy and all that, but will hold the attention of pre-Christmas over-excited children for about 5 minutes.

I would go for The Polar Express or something similar IIWY. Or, if you think people will come and go, a DVD with lots of cartoons on so that people can extract their DC without them whingeing that they are missing the end of the film?

40 KIDS? Good God!

Good luck with that!

I read it as 20 children, now see that it was 40 [passes out in dead faint]

I thought that about a film stealthsquiggle. I reckon Wallace and Grommit will do it - I can't remember how long they are but short enough for people to warn kids about leaving etc.

right I'm off to redecorate the christmas tree...

ps. can you all please stop saying things like "dead faint" and "good God" .

I survived! In fact it was brilliant. we had girls doing sticking for ages. then it went a bit barmy. so the dvds went on. kids and adults all had a lovely time. massively over-catered though....anyone want a slice of pizza or a mince pie?

well done!

Well done Hatwoman - I am of you having issued the invites in the first place - if I only got around to that bit I would be fine

Weren't you knackered at the end of it????