Party was great though did take a great deal of time to get the house ready. DD, DH and I spent most of the party day moving furniture and setting up the lights/speakers. The weather forecast was awful and we made contingency plans to move the party inside. We borrowed a large gazebo but it had no side so any wind and they’d all get soaked. We moved out most of the furniture into the garage except sofas and dining table. Some guests arrived at 5pm and others later.
DH took the dog out and I joined him later for a couple of hours.
Weather during the actual party was fine so they were inside and outside. Don’t know how many turned up but at 9 when I went out there were about 20+.
No dramas, quarrels or spillages, nothing missing or broken. A few went upstairs as they’d left their bags up there but generally they all stayed downstairs.
There was plenty of drinking, smoking, vaping, dancing - typical party. They scoffed down pizza and hot dogs, so think that helped balance the booze intake.
Neighbours reacted really well to the notes we put through their doors, texting to wish DD a happy birthday and a few brought round cards and a bottle of wine/bubbles. I wasn’t expecting that and she was really pleased. No-one complained, music was turned down at 11, party continued inside, most guests gone by midnight. A couple left at 1, and a couple stayed over.
All in all a lovely evening, they were very appreciative and helped tidy up.
A level results came out today and sounds like they’ll be out again tonight! Oh where do they get the energy?
Thank you for all the tips and advice. Can you believe the downstairs loo lock broke the day before the party? ;-) They were very quick in and out so not much of a queue, and no one asked to go upstairs.
We bought bottled beer, some spirits and plenty of soft drinks as well as bottles of water. They got through a LOT of booze and also brought their own, and there was some bottles left over.
Think we were very lucky, we got off lightly.