DD's 15th Birthday ~ Opinions Needed

[Julia M]

My dd has her birthday this month, and just started her freshman year of school. I am thinking, for her birthday, to have a dinner party for a group of her new friends (maybe for 7 or 8). I am planning to do a fondue party, like a local restaurant (La Fondue) or the chain, the Melting Pot.

I don't know any of these kids, and since dd attends a private school that draws families from up to 15-20 miles in any direction, they may be from all overthe place. The school advises us "new parents" to meet each other and contact parents when our kids do something.

So, I am thinking of putting on the invitation that the parents could gather for a drink (non alcholic) and appetizers, to meet each other. We could have the adults on the front patio and the girls on the back patio. Not the whole party, maybe just a half hour.

Does that sound too odd?

Any advice?

Thanks

Julia

 

[kidzmom3]

my 16 year old son voted no. He would not like that scenario at all. Also, he wondered; does your DD like fondue? He asks because he thought it sounded good until he ate it!!

 

[redlight]

Yeah, I'm not sure that enough 15 year olds would like fondue. I like the idea of a dinner party.

 

[GothTink]

My 15 year old DS votes yes on the fondue, particularly The Melting Pot. He loves it there!

 

[RUDisney]

My parents and I through a dinner party for my sister when she turned 16. It was a surprise for her. All of her friends met on the back patio for hors deuvers (sp?) and mocktails. That's where they surprised her.

When mocktail hour was over, we adjourned the kids to the dining room for dinner. They ate on Mom's good china, with linen napkins, etc. It was a big deal to the kids that they were pampered by themselves throughout the dinner with the rest of us serving as wait staff.

If you're going to throw a mocktail party, why not make tapas dishes? There are a lot of really good appetizer recipes that would fill the kids up without just having the option of fondue.

The added benefit to this is that you can serve the same menu on the front porch and the patio, so it saves you some work.

I also don't think it's a problem to serve wine/beer to the adults on the front porch while the kids are enjoying mocktails on the patio, but that's up to you and your comfort with this arrangement.

 

[laurie31]

I think it sounds cool.

I don't see the problem with the parents hanging around to get to know each other for a few minutes in a separate area from the kids. I think that sounds okay too.

I'd let your DD help decide the menu - if she likes fondue, then serve it.

My parents did a dinner party for my 18th birthday, btw, and it was really fun.

 

[MerMom60_94]

My dd has her birthday this month, and just started her freshman year of school. I am thinking, for her birthday, to have a dinner party for a group of her new friends (maybe for 7 or 8). I am planning to do a fondue party, like a local restaurant (La Fondue) or the chain, the Melting Pot.

I don't know any of these kids, and since dd attends a private school that draws families from up to 15-20 miles in any direction, they may be from all overthe place. The school advises us "new parents" to meet each other and contact parents when our kids do something.

So, I am thinking of putting on the invitation that the parents could gather for a drink (non alcholic) and appetizers, to meet each other. We could have the adults on the front patio and the girls on the back patio. Not the whole party, maybe just a half hour.

Does that sound too odd?

Any advice?

Thanks

Julia

I'm taking this as a question on inviting the parents for the first hour, moreso than what you will be serving. I love your idea of giving the parents a chance to meet. My DD also just started as a Freshman at a high school where students are from several different towns and I would love it if somebody did something like this. Presumably the guests at the party will be kids who are starting to hang out together and what a nice way for the parents to get a chance to know the other parents. I think you're being very thoughtful all around. Have fun!

 

[Bren's Mom]

Normally I'd say, eh...let your dd have her birthday without a bunch of extra parents hanging around. LOL BUT, since many of these parents are going to have to drive a little to get there and then drive back to pick their kids up 2 hours later I think it would be nice to let them know that you'll be hanging out in the bar or another area of the restaurant during the dinner.

If your dd wants Melting Pot or La Fondue I'd do invites that just invite the people on her list to dinner. And then I'd type a separate note to the parents 'I will be staying at La Fondue during the party but will not be dining with the girls. If you would like to stay and have a bite to eat with me while the girls are celebrating I would love the company and the opportunity to know Daughter's friend's parents a little better. Looking forward to meeting you! Mom'...or something like that.