Will you be indoors? Or outdoors? What kind of weather do you typically have that time of year? We've been to outdoor parties in the fall (including Halloween "driveway parties") and it's fun to be outside with a fire pit, hot and cold drinks, and marshmallows. If the weather's bad, it's moved on to the porch or in to the garage, and of course people eventually drift inside.

Sounds like a nice idea. I've started parties in the fall from 4-8 only because it gets dark earlier and depending on how many children are coming who may need to be home in bed by a certain time. Also, it's nice to cover both cocktails and appetizers as well as bring out more substantial food and have time for desserts and coffee or tea. Depending if people arrive later than invited, the earlier start time will allow plenty of time for snacks. Also it gives people time to get home at a decent hour should they need to drive any distance to get there.

I like your timing idea better.

Starting at 5 seems reasonable. I assume this is a an open house type gathering where people come and go?

Good idea about the carpet! We had a similar party in December. We had it catered and had a bartender and it was so much fun to not have to fuss with the cooking and clean-up even though I like to cook for parties. The bonus was that people really circulated...no congregating in the kitchen.

I think your timing is great. With the appetizers and drinks ready, and bringing out the main dish about an hour or so later, you'll have a continuous flow of food. Then people can feel free to leave if they have had enough partying. Good idea on the carpet! No worries there!

If your intention is to have buffet service for both the first happy hour and then change out the dishes or add to them for the meal, I would not do that in the same space / on the same table. Set up a happy hour bar and nearby nibbles in one area where it can be enjoyed by your guests and give you the room and time to set up the dinner buffet elsewhere. Otherwise you will have to completely redo the table, add more dishes and put out flatware, etc. when it is time for dinner. (If you start with one space for food and put out the flatware and dinner plates you can be sure some people will take both, even if the only initial food available is finger food.). Also, having the cocktail food in one area and the dinner buffet in another room keeps the party moving, which you need to do for that number of guests. Indoors to outdoors or vice versa if the weather permits, or living room to dining room for the food services, gets people to circulate. If you want you can set up a third table or space for dessert and coffee.

And if people are eating with plates on their laps don't serve food that requires a knife.

With this many people you may want to enlist a friend or other helper to assist you.

Is this a sort of delayed housewarming? If so, congratulations on your new home! If you are a member of a faith community it is nice to invite your priest /minister / rabbi to come and bless the home (or just say a few words or a toast) before dinner.

i think a 5p start will be fine... i would also plan on most people staying for the evening for a birthday party rather than just stopping by...

i usually try having most of the 'real food' in the kitchen- even appetizers. i like putting desserts in the DR- and having seating available there for those who want to sit and eat... i would have the birthday cake sitting as part of the centerpiece on the dining room table probably if it was decorated nicely (and wasn't icecream)!

whenever i have had large indoor gatherings, it seems that the bulk of people congregate in the kitchen... i would rather occasionally walk around and serve to the people who aren't in the kitchen rather than having main appetizers stationed elsewhere... but, food placement depends partly on how you house is laid out...

Well now you have me thinking about what to do in what space. We have an open great room type thing upstairs with one large dining space with a table that can expand to a size that seats 12. Also one of those high narrow counters between the kitchen and dining space. Not a whole lot of space there - it seems like more of a divider and doesn't seem very useful unlike a counter height peninsula or island though you could put some stuff there. It is a nice gathering space I think.

Lower level is a walkout with a fairly good sized bar and family room. I've never had a bar before so not quite sure what to do with that. We will just be having wine, beer and soft drinks - no mixed drinks. I wonder if I should start out with the beverages and some of the appetizers downstairs and then add the more substantial food and dessert upstairs. My concern about doing that is that everyone will be settled in downstairs and then I have to try to herd them upstairs for more food. I think DH would like to "hold court" at the bar though. He seems to think of it as part of his "man cave".

I'll have one or more helpers I'm sure just knowing the nature of some of our friends. I've looked into having it catered with someone helping serve but that just isn't our style. Even though it's months away it is fun to think about what I want to do.

My sis is turning 60 this month, and i've been helping via instant msg'ing/phone convo. Behind the house is a huge metal building which houses a lounge area, a'pseudo' kitchen(fridge/sink but no stove), and a long counter, also a bathroom. She's gone all out and has hired a local jazz band for 3 hrs, and is also renting 2 heat lamps to use outside. She and 2 friends will be preparing food, rather than catering to save $$$. She's decided to start it at eight, so is only doing a varity of finger foods, including sloppy joe sliders, a little more filling in case anyone has missed dinner, and i know she's also doing the 5 layer taco dip. Drinks will be soda, been and wine, no hard stuff or mixes of any type. She *will* be ordering 2 cakes from a local bakery, one will be a fancier 3 layer, which the 60 candles will top, and the other a sheet cake. Unfortunately I won't be going so it will be videoed for me.

My DH had a very elaborate all day into the night multiple venue surprise party for my 50th even though I told him I didn't want a party and planned my own getaway with him to celebrate my birthday. He is the ultimate party planner. I am not so mine will be simple with a focus on spending time with family and good friends, some of whom we don't see all that often. I do think that is what he most enjoys and appreciates.

I've hosted parties such as these many times and what I've found most easy is to do some sort of bar such as a slider, taco, pasta or baked potato bar. For this one (if your DH likes it) I would recommend a taco bar. You could serve a variety of chips and dip plus one other substantial thing such as nachos, taquitos, quesadillas, or empanadas.

For drinks, have a water dispenser with fruit in it for flavoring, iced down bottles of beer (I go to Costco to get a good deal on it) in a party tub, cans of soda in another party tub and pitchers of a signature nonstaining drink such as mojitos (with slices of lime and extra mint leaves next to the pitchers) or white sangria. The great thing about a signature drink such as these is that they look impressive to guests but they are very easy to make in advance and you can just leave in pitchers in the fridge. Sangria actually tastes better if you make it at least a day in advance. They're much cheaper than a full bar and these two options are pretty cheap to make as well.

The main course is of course the taco bar with a variety of toppings. I like to do sour cream, tortillas, guacamole, salsa, corn relish, shredded cheese, refried beans, Mexican rice, shredded chicken or ground beef and sauted mixed veggies (tomatillos, onions, portabello mushrooms, and bell peppers) if I have time. Basically almost everything can either be plated or prepped in advance.

For dessert you can serve a tres leches cake if you want to get fancy. The best cake we've ever had (I use Pioneer Woman's recipe) but very time consuming to make. Other options are churros, flan, fried ice cream, or sopapillas. You should easily be able to easily and cheaply get those at a Mexican bakery or restaurant.

The great thing about this sort of party is that it's festive, easy to prep in advance, and works with a wide variety of dietary restrictions. If you're gluten free you can just skip the rice and tortillas. If you're vegan you have plenty of choices as well.

I know what you mean about people "digging in" and getting comfortable in one area, 4katz! They have to be moved about so the party doesn't stall, iykwim. After everyone is there and has their first drink or two, announce dinner upstairs and have everyone take their drink up with them. You can close down the bar downstairs if you want them to stay upstairs from dinner onwards. I think it would be nice to let your husband hold court in his domain :-)