A friend reached her 50th birthday on the Friday and she had been planning a party for months. She has not been at all well, so her sister took over most of the organisation – putting the plans into action. As the sister lives near Cambridge, a few of us who live locally were also involved in the local parts.
So on the Friday, there was a lunch at a local pub for some of the close family and 3 friends who had done local organisation.
Unfortunately, one brother and his family didn’t make that part as they got totally stuck on the M25!
The younger members of the party went outside to play in the garden when they got bored – supervised by their older cousin.
After the lunch, the birthday girl was taken home to rest, and most of the others went to “granny’s house” for a swim and to meet up with the very delayed family. The rest of us gathered at SP2, where the party was to be held and prepared the rooms for the next day.
That included moving tables and chairs, arranging the balloons and banners and setting the tables for the meal…….
…….and the table for the bar.
The party day several of us were there quite early to finish setting out the tables, with flowers (arranged by some of the family) and water……
………set up the “bar”……..
……and prepare some food and collect and set out more. As some people arrived they brought food, which was also set out, with some kept in reserve to replace what was eaten.
When people arrived they were directed to the top floor for drinks and nibbles.
When the last people had arrived and had time for a drink and to greet the birthday girl, the food was served – starting with the disabled, then the frail elderly, then the children and finally others! We put out replacements as plates were emptied – notably the salmon, the meat platter and the Coronation chicken.
Everyone sat down to eat and chat – collecting seconds as required.
Again when the youngsters got bored their older cousins took them back upstairs to play. I am very impressed with these older cousins and the way they take this responsibility.
When everyone had eaten enough of the first course, we cleared it away and tidied up and started the dishwasher – brother in law was noted as being very helpful! The cake and desserts were then put out.
It was decided that it wasn’t safe to light the “candle” on top of the cake, because of the proximity of the balloons, so it was placed by the side and lit there, while everyone sang “Happy Birthday”.
My friend’s father then gave a short speech and we drank a toast to her. She then did manage to reply, without getting too emotional. Everyone enjoyed desserts and more chat, then people gradually had to go, especially those who lived some distance away.
That left the clearing up to do!
So was it a good and successful party? Yes, I think so. People seemed to enjoy it and the birthday girl was very tired, but seemed to think it had been good. Big sister is especially to be praised for ideas, decorations, hard work, ordering and collecting food and especially organisation – bet she is a really efficient administrator!