Hellobee Boards

Depends! If it's more friends I think a 11-1 schedule is great. Family, then a 3-4 start time and provide dinner.

Early 11-1

@sorrycharlie: Both

Having a 1 year old, my first thought is to schedule it around LO's nap time. That's if I'm hosting. Our schedules pretty much revolve around her. I don't know a ton about 4 years olds - do they still nap?

Going to parties - again, it depends on if she's napping! But we've found we like to attend parties planned in the early evenings best (4:00). If the party is in the middle of the day, we won't be able to stay long - because inevitably one of her naps or her one big nap will eat into the time of the party. But if it's at 4, we know she's up and we've got 3.5 hours until bath time.

Y'all have probably moved past all that by now, but it's something to keep in mind if you have a lot people attending who have smaller LOs.

Also, if it's going to be outdoors, the heat of the day will have to play into that, too.

Every year we have a start time of 11 and provide lunch. No end time specified, and guests leave at their own convenience. We mostly invite family and friends.

In the past couple of months we have attended parties from 2-4pm with one party starting at 5:30 with pizza and cake provided.

As a guest, I have no preference. I'm flexible with naps since it's a special occasion.

Now that we don't have naps, it doesn't really matter anymore. I generally like 2 pm, because it doesn't have to have lunch.

Morning or afternoon but not in between because of naps.

I prefer mornings. We have our parties away from home (hosted by someone else!). Our 4 year party was at 10:30 with lunch and wrapped up by about 1:00.

Hosting DS's 1st birthday party this year and decided on 2-5 so people can hopefully come after nap time, eat an early dinner and still be home to put the kids to bed and family can stay and visit. It also gives me time to set up all morning.

For attending I don't have a preference but have never been invited to a kids party in the morning.