WWYD timing of party

I need help with the timeline of my DD's 2nd birthday.

She normally has dinner around 5:30 and heads to bed to start her bath/book routine at 7:00. She is usually fast asleep between 7:30-8:00.

For the party, I am inviting people over for 4:00. I figured appetizers from 4 to 5:30. At 5:30 dinner will be served. and then 6:30 sing/cake/opening gifts (there will probably only be 5 gifts at most). I just feel like the party alone with make her lose it earlier and am just worried that by the time cake/gifts come she will have had it. So my mom suggested starting the party at 3:30 with apps from 3:30 to 5:00. serving dinner at 5:00 and doing gifts/cake at 6:00. OR start at 4 like planned but then open gifts during appetizer time. and just do cake afterwards. I sort of like this plan better but then I also feel like DD will just want to play with the gifts and I don't really want it to be focused on that, or to open everything right away. Sometimes I like to space out gifts at least a week apart so things stay new and interesting longer. HMMM... now I am very torn about what to do with the timeline. LOL... I like it the way I planned it originally I'm just questioning whether or not DD will hold up for it.

Any advice?

WWYD timing of party

I would probably do 3pm. Dd has dinner at 5:30/6pm, start bedtime routine at 7/715pm and she is sleeping by 7:30/745pm.

We just had a bday party this Saturday from 3-7 and it was good timing. We left when dd was started to want to go to bed.

WWYD timing of party

I would start it at 3 and serve dinner by 4:30/5.

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WWYD timing of party

I would just have the party and my ds would be off any routine for the day.

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WWYD timing of party

I think when it's mostly family, people want to see them open the gifts. I would start at 3:30 or 4 and open gifts during apps, then do dinner closer to 5, and cake around 6. This way people can start to head home around 7. That's about what we did for DD's 2nd birthday and it worked out well. I wouldn't worry too much about her getting too tired, between the excitement of the party and the birthday cake she'll probably do just fine!

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is this like a kids party, or a family party? I think that makes a difference... IMO (and this is JUST me) - if it's a kids/friends party etc where there's a lot of little ones, an hour and a half just designated to appetizers is too long and drawn out.

even if it's a family party, it feels like the timeline is a little drawn out, when dealing with a 2 year old. I'd have the party move along a little bit, that way if dd starts losing it, no biggie, you can always get her to bed, and let the guests stay and hang out if you want - but at least everything that you wanted her participating in, will be done. kwim?

also if it's a friends/kids party - you don't need to worry about gift opening. if it's family, then yeah, I know family likes to see their gifts being opened etc. in which case, I'd tell people to come 3:30-4 (because you know everyone is not always prompt lol) - put apps out at 4... maybe let her open a couple of gifts... do dinner at 5... cake at 6... a few more gifts, and then that's it for her. if people want to stay later for coffee etc, no problem - and if she's happy, that's great too, but at least if she's had enough, you can excuse yourself by 7 to get her down.

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ITA with the above poster... i don't think you need an hour and a half for apps

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I think 4pm invite time is ok. I would also put an end time unless you are expecting close friends and family. You can talk to early guests. Other guests will arrive late. I would just have some appetizers out on the table and start to serve dinner around 5 so your child is not off schedule.

I personally wouldn't open gifts at the actual party.

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start the party a little earlier. you can let her open all of the gifts and when she goes to bed just take some away if you wanted to. then introduce them at your leisure