time of day for 3rd birthday party?

[RosesInTheRain]

DS will be 3 just after Christmas. Planning to have a small party for nursery 'friends' and same age children of my friends. Thinking 2 hours is plenty with some 'games' and a tea- but what time of day?

DH reckons late morning into lunchtime, say 11-1, but does that affect peoples' plans for the day too much, would later afternoon be better? I really don't know!

Planning to book Guide hut as don't want loads of preschoolers running around at home plus don't have the space as parents will stay too so need to do it soon.

3-5 with party tea at the end. No need for more tea when they get home that way!

Id love parties to be 10.30-12.30 with lunch in the last 45 mins. Home for a nap then the whole afternoon to spend doing somethig else.

See at 3, our ds's were hanging by 12.30 (usually in bed for their nap by then) and I'd have hated for them to have had to be on their best behaviour at somebody's party.

You're not going to please everyone OP. it's your ds's party so go with what suits you and him best.

it'll be in the Christmas holidays, before NY which is why I'm hesitating so much- want people to be able to come! Can you tell new to this? 3-5 was my initial thought, if that's most usual we'll go for that I should think and get MiL to have him in the morning beforehand

We've been to a few 3rd birthday parties recently and, for us, the best have been 10-12 ish, kids haven't been tired and have all played nicely.

10-12ish and lunch at the end and then we can do other stuff in the afternoons.

I'm doing 3-5 this weekend. I'll let you know how it goes. My DD still sleeps 12.30-2 so lunchtime wouldn't suit us. Plus leaves me the morning to get stuff ready!