Bridge the gap with some celebration ideas that appeal to all ages.
It’s easier than you might think to organise a multi-generation party that’s enjoyable for everyone from 9 months to 90 years old. Here are Manor By The Lake’s golden rules for throwing the perfect party.
Coming up with celebration ideas for an event that the entire family can attend can be tricky, but it’s not impossible, and if you arrange a party to appeal to every age group, you’ll have a full guest list before you know it.
Location, location, location
Pick a venue that’s accessible to the majority. It’s a lovely idea to hire a remote Scottish castle in the Highlands, but if half the family is based in Devon, you’re not going to make yourself very popular! Try and choose a location that is an equal distance from everyone, and if that’s not possible, then at least go with a venue that is close to motorways and train stations to make it a viable option. At Manor By The Lake we’re close to all the major road networks, and for guests traveling a distance, we’ve 12 gorgeous guest rooms so there’s no excuse not to make a night of it!
Invitations
Even if you’re not planning a hugely formal affair, it’s still nice to receive an invitation, and it makes it more likely that the all-important date will be penciled into everyone’s diaries. There’s no need to spend lots on a printed invite, just create an e-vite using one of the many free websites available. This way, the younger members stay informed about the party! For the older generation, you’ll score points for being green and considering the environment.
Food
With a wide range of age groups to cater for, the menu can be one of the trickiest things to plan. In general, it’s always a good idea to keep things simple. A buffet allows guests the opportunity to pick and choose and is a good way to satisfy children with finger food such as mini pizzas, sandwiches, and fresh fruit. Adults can enjoy more elaborate salads, mezze, antipasti and summer favourites like poached salmon and coronation chicken. At Manor By The Lake we have award-winning chefs who are always happy to discuss menu choices with you.
Outdoor food and barbecues are always great celebration ideas and are popular with every age group, but remember, whatever you opt for, make sure you check everyone’s dietary preferences and allergies. Shellfish, gluten, and nuts are problematic for many people, so do your homework in advance to make sure everyone’s needs are covered and there are no dining disasters on the day.
Venue
Accommodating everyone’s needs can seem like a huge challenge, so try and think practically when booking the venue. One of the best celebration ideas is to utilise our attractive gardens which always appeal to older relatives, whilst offering plenty of space for the younger guests to run around and let off steam
Manor By The Lake is a fine example of a venue with lots of reception rooms, you’ll find the party naturally splits into quieter and louder pockets of guests after the food has been served. If you’re having entertainment, you may find that Granny would prefer a quiet corner in which to retire. Of course if Granny prefers to lead everyone in the conga around the dancefloor, then we’re not about to suggest you stop her!
Choosing somewhere that has accommodation and ample free parking means you don’t have to worry about taxis at the end of the night, which is a real bonus.
Entertainment
Don’t be put off by the expense of hiring entertainment. Whilst a 6 strong band for a wedding may set you back a small fortune, there are plenty of cost-effective options that will appeal to every age group. Why not use the venue’s sound system to play a pre-prepared playlist? This way you can make certain there’ll be tracks from across the decades to keep everyone happy on the dance floor. We’ve found that a magician is one of the best celebration ideas and will almost certainly involve the audience in his show. Choose someone who is used to performing in front of children to ensure a performance that is suitable for everyone.
If you’ve got lots of young children to amuse, we can supply colouring paper, crayons and games to distract them. Older children can be kept happy for hours with an iPad to watch movies or play games, and teens will flock to a room with a Playstation or X-Box. Everyone enjoys the outdoor games we have if the weather is fine. If you’re planning to party into the night, book a babysitter and pack the smallest ones off to bed so that you can relax and enjoy the rest of the event, uninterrupted.
Hopefully we’ve given you a few ideas for planning your family gathering, but we’d love to talk you through the many options we can offer here at Manor By The Lake.
For lots more hints and tips on planning a successful family party, call our party planners at Manor By The Lake
on 01242 245 071 or email [email protected]
