Hi Mamas! Well a year of planning and being wishy washy, I’ve finally decided what I’m doing for my 40th birthday! We will be hosting a dinner at a local restaurant with my family and closest friends (trip to the beach will be in two weeks w/immediate family and BFF’s and their families). Now, I’ve “consulted” with my blunt friend and two of my childhood friends. All three agree that I am well within my right to request “no children” (It’s a dressy kind of place and we will be hosting a bar). In fact, one of my friends has a young son at home and she says she’d welcome the opportunity to have a night out without kids (99% of our activities are family oriented or kid friendly). Anyway, here’s my question: How do we put that on the invitation? Initially, it was suggested that “We kindly ask this remain an adult only occasion…” Well, we know a couple who gives their son (age 13) free reign in conversations and participation as though he is our peer. He refers to me by my first name as if I’m one of his chums. He will pipe in to any conversation or come sit with the adults whenever we’re together. DH says not to invite them, it’s too much trouble. I’m not too sure about cutting them out, we’ve always invited them, but like I said – the majority of our activities are family friendly. There was another suggestion that we put an age limit on it “We kindly ask that all guests be 18 and older…” – But I think that sounds like we’re going to a strip club or gambling?! I want everyone to have a night to get dressed up, have fun and maybe have a drink or two (hoping no one goes overboard)…No crayons on the table, sippy cups to be filled or managing high chairs and diaper bags. Let’s just be and have fun! PS: A close friend has graciously opened her home, to where we will provide childcare by our students from Youth. We are trying to make this as easy as possible for this night.
Word the invitation using the phrase, adult party. We invite you to an adult only party at ............ That along with the invitation being addressed, naming only the adults in the family should get the idea across.
It sounds like your friend is offering to have childcare at her home, so I would say something like:
Please join us to celebrate ____ turning 40
Cocktails and dinner at 7:00 pm
____ Restaurant
Dinner jackets required (if applicable)
Adults only- please no children under 18
Then put a little card in the envelop saying:
Please contact so-and-so at ###-###-#### if you need help making childcare arrangements as this is an adults only affair.
We did an adult cocktail party at Christmas and put the following on the invitation:
Join us for cocktails and hors d' oeuvres at our "new" house.
Grown-ups only please.
Ask for an RSVP and # attending. If the family in question RSVP's for 3 people, you could contact them and say, you don't want to hurt anyone's feelings, but you have been telling everyone it is an adults only affair and that it wouldn't be fair to others attending if just one family could bring their kids.
They should implicitly understand that 1) you would like to just enjoy time with your adult friends without having to keep the event PG and 2) you are hosting the event and if you allowed every family to bring kids along, the expense would be prohibitive.
Good luck.
Put everything you want on/in the invitation itself, in addition to time/ place/ rsvp
Time to dress up, have some fun, and maybe a drink or 3 at ____________! No sippy cups, crayons, or arguments with gravity (we hope, that's a little too much fun). So & So is graciously opening her home for childcare which will be provided by ((give parents those details so they can choose to use that option or find their own if they are uncomfortable)).
21 & up!
We just received an invitation to my cousin's wedding that said "An Adult Affair" Many of us have young children and it is a close relative, so prior to getting the invite we weren't sure, but this made it very clear that kids were not invited.
Have a great birthday and leave the kids at home!
We did this for our wedding. On the invitation, it said "An Adult Only Affair." Also in the envelope, we included a second insert that said, "We know that many of you have families. To help accommodate anyone with children under age XX, we have arranged for a global sitter at XX address. Please let us know if you would like to reserve a spot."
That SHOULD work, but then again, you have never met my husband's family. His cousin marched in with a 3 yr old at 1 yr old twins.
I am with Marda, word it at the top An elegant Adult-Only Party. Come have a drink with us at blah blah restaurant. 21 and older please (I assume they are all 21 and older, which hints hey there is a bar here, no kids or teens). Put in a note about your friends offering daycare for those who need it. And say we would really love for all our adult friends to join us on blah blah 2011 at blah blah pm in formal attire. I think it has to be broken down barney-style if you are going to invite the family with the "adult companion" 13 year old.
I say at the top because it needs to be bold and first, so they know it's not like, we don't prefer children being there but if you must I GUESS it's o k a yyyy. I tend to take it more firm (though I take any hints anyways) when it's at the top in a pleasant way like what I stated above or what Marda stated :)
What about "Dinner for Grown Ups"? And mention available child care....
