I was envisioning asking the people I know with kids, and then telling them to spread the news to other parents the know in the neighborhood (similar to what I did with the ladies' wine night). I doubt it would reach all 186 homes, and probably less than half of those homes have young children. The association is about 50 years old, so it's not bursting with new families.
Anyway, I guess I won't do it; I don't want a nightmare on my hands. I was hoping to foster a more neighborly atmosphere here. The Ladies' Wine Night was a success, and I wanted to keep it going.
Yeah. I think it's tacky for people to ask others to bring dishes to a party (or to accept offers from attendees to bring something), so I thought I might have a low tackiness tolerance.
Noooooo, are you serious? I feel tacky when I'm invited somewhere, offer to bring something, and am told to just show up.
Although, maybe I have a high tackiness tolerance - in my social circle, most everyone brings something to every party. We're a tacky bunch.
Yeah. I think it's tacky for people to ask others to bring dishes to a party (or to accept offers from attendees to bring something), so I thought I might have a low tackiness tolerance.
i missed this the first time. If we're going to compare, asking people to bring a dish is FAR less tacky than asking for people to pay. Bringing a dish is pretty normal. Your idea that it's tacky isn't the norm. I'd be far less put off by "bring a dish!" Than I would be "this is going to cost $".
You can organize a block party or an event at a community park - and invite an ice cream truck to park at the curb. When the PTA didn't want to sell ice cream sandwiches at field day, I called and invited a local ice cream truck to the event. Worked really well! You can even work-out a deal where you can distribute coupons (for a vine for kids under 10) and pay them later. And let parents/neighbors buy more for themselves. I highly suggest you think of this option.
I have friends who host an annual party where they ask people to bring $10 to cover food and beer, and I think it's so tacky. Every year that it continues, I get more and more annoyed, because the older we get, it's less and less acceptable. It was semi-appropriate for college keg parties, not adults-in-their-30's parties. So yes, I definitely think asking for money would be tacky, but I see everyone else has covered that already. I like the previous suggestions of having HOA sponsor it, or maybe getting a few families you are friends with together and seeing if they are interested in co hosting.
I think it's tacky for people to ask others to bring dishes to a party (or to accept offers from attendees to bring something),
It's not tacky to accept when someone offers to bring something. Come on.
Exactly! I actually would think if was tacky to have someone bring a bottle of wine, a food item or gift and you refused to take it. Actually forget tacky it is just plain rude not to accept!
It is also tacky to "host" a party and ask for money.
I was envisioning asking the people I know with kids, and then telling them to spread the news to other parents the know in the neighborhood (similar to what I did with the ladies' wine night). I doubt it would reach all 186 homes, and probably less than half of those homes have young children. The association is about 50 years old, so it's not bursting with new families.
Anyway, I guess I won't do it; I don't want a nightmare on my hands. I was hoping to foster a more neighborly atmosphere here. The Ladies' Wine Night was a success, and I wanted to keep it going.
I understand how you're feeling, I'm the same way. I'm social and love to plan and host. I really wanted to plan a huge party last summer and just got overwhelmed. So the last 4 months I've hosted a monthly ladies Bunco night at our clubhouse, and I'm hosting a hot dog bbq for the 23 houses that are on my street and the adjacent culdesac next week. I figure if this bbq goes well, I'll try for a gigantic one next year
Yeah, I love the idea of an ice cream social. It sounds really fun. I'd just provide what I could afford, lots of ice cream and cones- not the alcohol. Ice cream cones are fun by themselves. If it's a block party, people can take from their own alcohol supply, lol!
asking for money for the ice cream would be tacky, yes
and, if you invite 186 families for free ice cream most of them will come. People like free things.
Eh, I don't know about this. Our annual association picnic has a relatively low turnout. Free food, drinks, ice cream, entertainment. I don't get it.
Then, why don't you create some buzz,and spread the word about the picnic? You said your looking to connect with families with kids - why not spread the word in the exact same way as the ice cream social idea? Call it something cool? Get them to rent a bounce house?