Timings for a 1st birthday party

[ManCubsMama]

What would be ideal?

We’re hiring a village hall and paying by the hour, so just trying to plan what time the party will be (plus hour(s) before and after for setup/clean up). I kind of want to make a day of it.

We’ve been invited to another party 10-2 which doesn’t really work with our nap times - unless we go 10-1ish then leave to be home for a nap. Is this what most people would do? Ie come for a while that works with their routine?

FTM and my baby group are all just turning 1 so we’ve not really done any parties before.

Thanks!

I would do 10-12 or 2-4. 2 hours is more than enough at that age and they get overwhelmed and overstimulated.

10-2 seems far too long to me. I'd do 2-4

I would say 2 hours max but maybe 90 mins would be better,

I think 2 hr parties are best for little ones. So pre or post nap times. 10-12 or 2-4 maybe

90mins - 2hrs is about right - we've left parties early or been a bit late depending on nap times, I always let the host know but it's hard when they all nap to get exactly the right time party!

I wouldn't do any more than 2 hours. I like the 10-12 slot for parties as it gets it out the way!

4 hours is way too long for a party for a 1-year-old! Even for older kids that’s too much. I’d go for 2 hours max, either 10-12 or 12-2. You’ll never please everyone re nap times so just go with what suits you and your little one.

Oh wow I’m really surprised parties would be as short as 2 hours

4 hours is madness. 90min - 2hr, and I'd say earlier in the day you're likely to catch more people/not be caught out by naps. Are they mainly on one nap a day, or two? I'd say something like 11-12.30.

I'm with the rest.
4 hours

2-4 would be the best I think.

Yep I agree 10-12 definitely no longer. I've got 6 kids and I've never been to a party longer than that.

I've got primary school kids and I've never being to a four hour party before. most party's last two hours, being to a few at village halls too and there all two hours.

Yes every party my dc have been to or had has been 2 hours. It can be a long 2 hours for the parents as well!

Actually we've had longer ones when the kids were small....because it was more for family that had travelled a distance to come. But a party for local kids 2 hours max. Fit it around your child's nap schedule.

Oh lord I remember someone putting 4hrs on a party invite before, bloody ridiculous. 2hrs anywhere is plenty with a child. I couldn’t decide whether to go towards the beginning or end of the time.
2-4pm is perfect imo.

Is it the same people at both parties?

My kids have only been to 4 hour parties when they were much older and invited to activities like paint balling and theme parks.

2 hours is plenty for a child's party until you teach sleepover age.

2 hours is plenty.i tend to put a time and say come from then, whenever suits with naps so if people are late they don’t feel bad about it. Maybe hire the place for an extra hour so those who come later aren’t rushed.

4 hours 😮😮

2 hours is plenty for that age (especially as it is more a party for you then them)
My 1 year old just had family over in little stints. My parents over in the morning and DP in the evening. If it is a party happening in the near future I think you may find a lot of people wouldn't even feel comfortable coming...

My ds is 10 and every party he's ever been to has been 2 hours. 4 hours is madness especially for a baby.

The other thing to say (which you are free to ignore) is that the children are 1 and this is well and truly a party for you. In a year or two you may look back and wonder what the hell you were thinking. With that in mind, and in light of covid anxiety about indoor spaces, I'd suggest a picnic style celebration in a local park where people can come and go as they wish, and any money you save on the church hall you can spend on a bottle of champagne or two.

@EssentialHummus I suspect you’re right and that it totally is a party for us, as we had to cancel his christening and 1st holiday. So I just want to do something to celebrate him, and probably getting carried away.

My idea to hire the village hall is more for the outside space so can all socially distance. We don’t have a big enough garden unfortunately

Would it be a silly idea to have the party for say 4 hours, but stipulate in the invitation that we don’t expect guests to be there the whole time - but to come for a period during those 4 hours that suits them re naps etc?

Would it be a silly idea to have the party for say 4 hours yes sorry I found it v annoying, unless you have loads of people you could have a couple of hours with hardly anyone, plus it’s nice to have the max number of people there for the cake. Just do a 2hr party

@ManCubsMama

Oh wow I’m really surprised parties would be as short as 2 hours

Two hours is the standard children's birthday party time!

A 4 hour children's party will be exhausting to host. The standard is 2 hours. Parents will either fit in the nap around the party or politely decline.