What time are you supposed to have a birthday party?

[greencrayon]

I was thinking either 11am or 3pm? That way people can work naps around it. What did you do?

[sjh722]

I think we did 1-3 or 12-2, something like that, on a Sunday. All of the babies in attendance were still twice a day nappers at the time, so it was clear of naptime.

[changedname]

We are going to a first birthday today at 11am. I'm having dd's at 3pm.

[luckyno7]

Our kids always napped from 12-3 so we always planned around 4 or later. Ours was always family with a few friends.

[yellowbrkrd]

I would work it around the birthday kid's nap schedule. No matter what time you pick it won't be perfect for everybody.

[curbsideprophet]

I agree, pick what works best for your kid. DD's first birthday was just family at my mom's house, so we did not set a specific time. We said the party would be after her afternoon nap.

[pierogigirl]

We worked around the birthday kid's schedule. DS1 doesn't nap anymore and his parties are usually in the afternoon. DS2 naps, so we have his start at 11 or 11:30 and end at 1 or 1:30.

[undecidedowl]

We did the first birthday at 11 because he still took two naps.

[Velar Fricative]

I agree about working around the birthday kid's nap schedule but to avoid further nap conflicts, DD's birthday party started at 3:30 and went until whenever people wanted to leave (most people arrived closer to 4, which we expected).

[humpforfree]

We are doing 11- he usually naps 9-10:30 or so and then 1-3:30ish.

[niq]

We did 2-5 with cake at 3:30. His nap schedule was still in flux, so this was the safest we could come up with.

[redheadk]

I plan around dd's nap only. Her first birthday was at 12 or 1, in between her 2 naps. Her 2nd birthday was 10-12, which actually steered clear of naps for all of her friends, even the earlier nappers, because they were all down to 1 nap by then. Dd naps 2-5 but some nap 12-2 and 1-3.

ETA: 2nd birthday was at a local kids place so the kids played for over an hour then we served lunch Bc it was 11:15.

[Deleted]

I did 10-12:30. By 12 months we were down to 1 nap at 1pm

[lg28]

I'm a huge fan of morning parties (like 1030-1230) but I think whatever is best for the birthday kid!

[timorousbeastie]

We're doing 1:00 for DD's first bday. I'm mainly trying to schedule around her naps, but she doesn't really have a set schedule, so I'm just hoping for the best. I know it conflicts with a friend's kids' naps, but oh well. It was the best we could come up with.

[Deleted]

Jan 17, 2015 9:38:24 GMT -5 swizz said:

I'd plan it for whenever works best for the birthday kid. Inevitably it will be during someone's nap regardless.

Ditto this. It's the birthday kid who needs to be happiest. You won't be able to accommodate the nap schedule of EVERY guest KWIM.

[degal99]

We did ours at 3. But I agree. Work with your kids schedule.

[greencrayon]

Avery usually sleeps from 12-2. So I think we will do 3. That way one of us can set up while the other is at home during nap time. Thanks!

[sent]

Jan 17, 2015 10:04:50 GMT -5 @bunnybean said:

C's birthday party started at 5:30, after both of her naps. Evening is a great time for her, and she goes HAM at a party because she thrives on attention. As long as someone is looking at her and playing with her, she can go all night. The only other kids in attendance were 5 and older, so no nap concerns.

That's so cute!  After 5 pm is a good time for my DD too.

We had her birthday at 11 am though and she was a terrible napper back then so we didn't even care.  It was a Sunday and no one likes Sunday parties in the evenings around here.  

[Ashley&Scott]

Jan 17, 2015 9:38:24 GMT -5 swizz said:

I'd plan it for whenever works best for the birthday kid. Inevitably it will be during someone's nap regardless.

This is what we've always done.

1st birthday - 1pm served lunch
2nd birthday - 2pm served apps
3rd birthday - 10am served brunch

[natablue]

We are planning 2-4. On weekends he usually naps around 10:30 to 12 and then later on, around 4:30-5.