OMG!!! I have just talked myself into having a 40 Birthday Party in July. Never had an adults party before!

[pinkbubble]

How do they work?

Don't fancy a village hall.

Am I mad to want it at home?

Feel very precocious about this?

How do I know people will come?

OMG what have I done?

Will have to have it now as Bestest friend is coming from the South of France!

hey pink bubble, calm down! I had mine at a local sports club, but have been to several at people's houses. I think the ones at home are lovely (but I wanted a disco hence hiring hall).

Have you got an invitee list yet? How many people? If they really are your friends, of course they will come, tell them to "save the date" asap....

meant to add: you have several thousand party planners here on MN, so nothing to stress about....

Pink bubble, calm, deep breaths

Do you really want to do it at home (ie do all the work?) or can you get the caterers in?

We have a party in the Summer most years, do a load of sarnies etc and everyone in the garden. You could have a barbie.

Make sure you do as much prep in advance as you can for food. And a big chilli or something in the evening for all the late stayers.

See if you can borrow a gazebo.

We had DPs 40th at home (in December). Lots of dodgy 80's music, loads of alcohol and the local curry house did the food. Job done and was a roaring success!

I did

local nice bar (walking distance)... laid on canapes at a cost per head and put money behind bar (mainly for prosecco)

was fab .. one of the barmen took it upon it himself to be our, rather hunky, slave for the evening and kept coming round and topping up glasses

Oh thanks guys!

DH loves cooking and already has suggested that he wants to do all the food.

Have no idea how many people to ask!

I don't want loud music, thats why I thought about having it at home. Can imagine me running round all evening, being a right nervous thing, panicking and making sure everyone has someone to talk too.

I had my 40th last year. I would advise to invite lots more people than you want quite a few of my friends had childcare issues or other engagements or whatever and couldn't come. I invited 80 and I think we had about 50.

Send out invitations as I think it makes people realise it is a proper party and not just a few people coming round for a drink. They should all bring a bottle to although make sure you supply wine, beer and soft drinks.

Hot food goes down well - chilli, curry etc with salad and bread etc.

Don't forget a cake!

Tommy I wondered about the hot food, but wasn't sure as its in July!

Have not forgot about cake. MIL is a whizz at baking cakes.

my party was in June - we had curry Sometimes I think hot food is easier as you can do all the prep the day before and just heat it up. Also means tha there is a definite break when people eat rather than picking at a buffet all evening and some people not getting anything because they didn't realise it was there!

do not do a bbq unless you have someone else doing all the food prep and cooking

We did this for my 30th....i spent all day in the kitchen and huuby didn't leave the bbq until almost all of the guests had gone!

do a buffet

so much easier!