40 this year - party advice needed please!

[Jennifershesaid]

I'm 40 this year and want to have a party though nothing too fancy - just in the house, however as I don't entertain much this is a big deal to me! I have friends with babies/small children but others without kids - so thinking maybe start 3pm ish so the party can go on after those with small children have gone home. What works/doesn't work?

I'm bumping this for you cos I am in same position.

Thanks gonaeno - good name! how long til the big 4-0 for you?

We did this for dp this year. Started at about 4.00pm and then people stayed as little or as long as they wanted to. We did a quiz for the adults and any children who wanted to join in, had a cold buffet at about 5.30 and then chilli later on, fancy dress, the Wii for the children etc. Will probably do something similar for mine next year.

Oh and I love your name!

I had my 40th last year and actually, for the first time in many years, I said adults only! It meant that we could have a proper evening party, that went on very late, and there were no small people to have to worry about. We had nice grown up food too. (no sausage rolls or child friendly/healthy food)

Go on! I'm sure if you give people enough notice, they can get baby sitters!

Janeite - lots of good ideas there - I like the idea of two lots of food, and the Wii for the kids sounds good (need to get one mind you). Was the fancy dress for adults or kids? maybe I should stipulate 80s fashion on the invites!

Fancy dress for all. We asked people to come as a character from music, film or literature - the quiz we did was also music, film and lit.

Janeite - sounds god fun. Have organised a quiz once before years ago.

Maureen you are tempting me!! Only thing is 3 close friends got babies and don't want to look like I'm 'making a point' - funny cos 10 years ago when everyone else partying wildly for their 30ths I was the pregnant sober one! good thing was those friends kept me sane and from nappy-only conversations for the next few yrs...

My 40th is in June Jennifer.

I'm thinking I'm going to go adults only.

Some of my friends' children are a little more 'lively' than others and I didn't want the house to be wrecked!

I was thinking that if I gave everyone six weeks notice they could get babysitters.

gonae - I see your point - but will you banish your own DCs too?

I will.

I'll do something with them and close family on my actual birthday and then my grown up party will be on the following Saturday.

I just want to have a drink and maybe even a cheeky fag without having to worry about my own or other people's kids.

I think bannishing is a bit of a strong word! It is ok to do things without your children now and again!

I am the worlds worst for never doing anything without DD and tbh, I have always included all my friends children and catered for them, but I just fancied a party without worrying about little people.

Maureen - see your point! I'm usualy quite good (or should that be bad?) at doing stuff without DD though aways away from the house - lunch, nightsout etc - but I do think she'd feel left out as with the inevitable planning/preparations involved would be hard to pretend not having a party - also some of the guests would be parents of her friends plus would need to find someone I don't want to invite to the party to babysit! Anyway realise I'm waffling on - not gonna over-analyse it...

I got you!

Of course, it was far too easy for me. My only dd was 12 and she was upstairs, with her 2 mates, having a wail of a time. She never came down! She had all the chocolate, drink, films and pillows and cushions, make-up etc she could ever want.

ha ha - give it a few years and they wouldn't be seen dead partying with 40 somethings anyway! Actually probably only a year or two (DD 9)