NHGR: entertaining question

[minniebee]

I know this isn't the entertaining board, but the food & entertaining board is pretty dead and has mostly become a food board anyway. So, I'm asking my entertaining question here ...

We're planning to have an open-house graduation party for H, who will finish grad school in July. I was thinking of having it on a Saturday from 3-8pm. Is that an okay time frame? Or is an open house supposed to be earlier in the day? I've never hosted an open house party before, so I'm not sure what the protocol is.

I realize that 3-8pm includes dinner time for most people, but I was thinking of having some snack-type foods and some dinner-type foods, so it should satisfy all the guests, depending on what time they stop by and how hungry they are.

Also, if 50-55 people are invited, how much seating do you think we'll need? It is an open house, so not everyone will be there at the same time. And of course, not all of the invitees will even attend. Between our dining room, informal dining area, card tables/folding chairs and our patio dining, we can accommodate 32 people eating at the same time. Is that enough? I'm wondering if I need to rent some tables/chairs.

[InBetweenDays]

I agree that 3-8pm seems like a really long time. I'd cut that down to 3 hours. And no matter the time I don't think people would expect a full on meal at an open house. But I would have a variety of appetizer/finger foods, with some that are more hearty or substantial.

I also think that seating for 32 is more than adequate. I would think at an open house more people would be standing and mingling than actually sitting to eat.

[tarheels]

I answered you on the other board.