How do I throw a birthday party for someone on the July long weekend?

Question

I want to throw a party for my friend, but his birthday is on the july long weekend (lots of people go away to cottage country) and his friends live scattered throughout the city and the suburbs and none of them know each other. Any ideas?!

Answer 1

you should definately have a water park party! i mean its hot and sweaty outside so you want to go on a nice cool water slide! maybe he should try to make some friends that live a little bit closer to him!

Answer 2

For one, send out the invitations early, the earlier people know, the more they can plan ahead and keep the date open.  If they know what's going on, and they don't have plans right now, they can make sure to not make plans and be at your friend's party.  Start telling people NOW before you send the invites out.

Send out a save the date e-mail with all the information in it, so people know what you're planning.  If you don't have their e-mail, call them up and let them know and tell them the invite is to follow.

We had my niece's graduation party on the 4th and it was fine, as long as you tell people in advance, they can keep the date open.  

With none of the them knowing each other, they can get to know each at the party.  Have the party at a central location, where it is a mid point for everyone, or at your house.  If it's not going to be held at his house or your house, do it somewhere that's a mid point for everyone to get to, this way all his friends can get there in about the same amount of time.

As for not knowing each other, they all have one thing in common, they are friends with the Birthday boy!  That's already a start and a reason to be there!  Once they're there, they'll start talking and it will be fine.  You can do some ice breakers, but usually people will start talking asking how they know him, etc.  I'm sure he talks about his friends to his other friends and that will bring up conservations when they say, "oh yea, he told me about you and when you guys did this together" , it will happen naturally.  Especially with guys, they just start talking and they're fine!

If the  party is not a surprise, talk to your friend and see what he wants to do.  If you're very worried about it, do it the weekend before or the weekend after, but you can always get in touch with his friends and see if they're going to be around, for their friend's party, they may make it a point to be there.  They may go away every year, but if they know there's a party for their friend, they may stay around an extra day to be there.  

I hope this helps and that everything goes well!