How many parties?

[luvmybaby]

We are planning my DD's 2nd birthday. We have a few months before we have it, we are having it end of August, although she turns 2 in September. So I need help when it comes to inviting guests. We have a lot of friends with kids her age that we would like to invite.

With just the immediate family we have 21adults and 6kids and then friends w/kids we have 19adults 15kids. So would you personally have a friends party then a family party or just do one big party?

I worry that she will get too overwhelmed with over 40adults.

My friend makes cakes so it would just cost me the price of the ingredients and we would do it in our backyard so we wouldnt have to pay for a public place.

Im trying to talk DH into only inviting the grandparents and parents with just the one aunt with kids we talk to all the time and cut out  few friends we dont talk to much. If he gives in we could have 1 party no problem.

[schoolmomof2]

We've always had this same problem. I've tried it both ways a huge party with everyone and then the 2 parties on different days. It's overwhelming both ways. The planning for a big one and then planning for two totally seperate ones. Because your daughter is so young I would opt for a smaller gathering with just immiediate family and a few really close friends. If she is a normal 2 year old she probably will get overwhelmed at all the attention. I have to take into consideration the grandparents also. They don't get as much attention when friends are there. It's so hard to please everyone so I guess you'll just have to do what pleases you and your hunband, but most of all your daughter.
Good luck!

[MurielFL]

Working for an event company I see all kinds of parties, big and small.  Keep in mind what you do this year many times impacts what you will want to do the next year.  Once your child is old enough to realize that the big day is coming up again and they remember from one year to the next you have that added pressure to do something different and many times Mom's get caught up in building it bigger and bigger from one year to the next.

You may want to keep these younger years for just the family.  It will make them a little more intimate and family always seems to want to help with binging a dish which will make your food variety nice for the party.  I have found when you tell your friends you are just having a family party they are very understanding.  If you have a large extended family they will understand even more.  She is 2 now so you still have 16 more events to lead up to the big 18.  I have found larger parties to be based on mile stones.  Double digits 10 years, First teen 13 years, 16 years of course (15 years for many Hispanic families) and the year that breaks the bank for many families especially if it is the same year of graduation 18 years.

Do what makes your child, yourself and your spouse comfortable and happy.  These will be your memories and you want to look back and find them happy ones.

Good Luck and have a great event!

[iluvcallalilies]

For Emily's 2nd, I had a party for her with friends at lunchtime. That evening we had a family dinner/party (she was the only child in the family at the time). It worked VERY well for us!