How Far Ahead Would You Plan This and Why?

2-3 weeks. If I have a conflict due to a kids' activity, it wouldn't matter if it were 2 months out If kid has a concert or school event or practice for something, etc, that mostly requires that I be available, but if you make it 2-3 weeks that lets me NOT schedule that sleep over or after movie pickup for the kids that might get planned just a few days in advance. My kids are older. So I don't need a sitter anymore. If I still needed a sitter, I would need a couple of weeks to get that lined up.

As it stands now, I just need to keep husband from planning something for a particular date most of the time. But sometimes a piano lesson or something has to be rescheduled due to other conflicts on the regular lesson day. That sort of thing. So, 2-3 weeks would be most appropriate for me.

You say it's 2 weeks' notice, but really, if you called me and asked me to attend an event next week, for me it's a week plus a couple of days' notice. That's just not enough for me.

I generally need 3 full weeks' notice. And things scheduled on the first weekend of the month usually conflict with other events.

I would try to mail out or email out a "Save the Date" card about 3-4 weeks out and send the actual invite about 2 weeks out. I would be able to come, but many of your friends might need to find a baby sitter or have other obligations. However, I have also had a great turnout to a quickie invite --hey, our friend xx is in town this weekend and would love to see you if you are available. Meet at XXX any time from 4-8 for light refreshments. And a few folks volunteered to bring a few things and we had a great time. Have fun with your friends!

3-4 weeks, especially springtime which s so busy.

I initially thought "a month" when I read the beginning of your post. Sitters might be an issue for some.
Sounds fun!

I think two weeks notice for this kind of thing is perfect.

At this time of year I'd give a month's notice. I know that many others are in the same camp as me in the fact that the next two months will bring Easter, Passover, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Confirmations, First Communions, and graduations to celebrate, as well as proms for those with high school kids, on top of the spring sports. It's a very busy time of year for many people, rivaling the Thanksgiving to New Year period in terms of events to attend and things to celebrate. If it were in the middle of winter or late summer then 2 weeks would be great but during this time of year? I think you need to give people more time if possible, or squeeze it in before the end of April because the craziness really hits high gear in May and June.

I would do one month, 2 weeks, and then a reminder 3 days before.

Best,
F. B.

I think I would give 3 weeks notice. If the friends have small kids that they would need a sitter for? I might do 4 weeks. Just to make sure they have enough time to get a sitter lined up.

Have fun!

It's not that I wouldn't want to attend your gathering, but I would be unable to do it because I already have plans on the evening of the 25th.

If I was going to start now to gather 25 friends, I'd set the date to May 9 or 16. Assuming they are all local. If anyone has to travel from out of town and stay over, then you need even more notice.

It depends on if you hope to get the max number of people attending or not. If you're fine with the chance that half or fewer can make it, then just do what you're thinking. You seem pretty reasonable and not likely to be upset if people are busy.

I think two weeks for a mom get together is fine. Regardless of the lead time, having 25 people available on the same day is difficult. As long as there is not a major event in your area (Spring concert and most have kids in the same school for example), you should be fine.

Give at least one month notice. People have kids and need time to schedule for a sitter.

I would invite one month in advance and put my follow-up feelers out at two weeks. I would already have an idea of whose attendance would be critical--the people I REALLY kinda need to show up and who would definitely be able to commit--and work more with their schedules.

minimum of two weeks. and no more than four or people will forget.
:) khairete
S.

I think you need at least 3 weeks notice - people have kids and plans and job requirements. If you issue an invitation to 25 people with just 10 days' notice, the assumption is that you really didn't want them all to come!

It sounds like you've put thought into who would be invited, what the purpose would be (making new friends/connections), what games will be played, what food will be eaten - but nobody knows about it yet! If you invite 25, you will be lucky to get 10. So I think you should scale back the games and the food until you have an RSVP list that's secure! And that's assuming that everyone checks their email and RSVPs, which isn't always the case!

I would avoid Mother's Day weekend since some may be going away, and I would avoid Memorial Day weekend. Remember that May and June are busy times with graduations and weddings and other events. So the assumption that people will be free is pretty big at any time of the year, but certainly at key times.

You can also deal with a smaller group and have it such fun that everyone wants to do it again soon, and then expand the event to a larger number of people the next time.

I'd invite people today for the 30th, and then when you get a "yes" answer from about 6 people, start asking a few of them for help and/or activity ideas. But if you are hosting it, then the food, drink, decor and theme are all on you unless you specifically call it a pot luck.

Good luck and I hope it's successful!

A minimum of a 2 week notice.

I think I'd get on the phone and see if anyone is interested in doing something like this. If they don't like to socialize they may not want to do something like this. Perhaps if you got feedback you could see when everyone is available.

I would use Evite.