Wording for adults-only party invite archived

Include "Adults Only" in the text of the invitation?

Start out with "Get a sitter". That should stop some of them... but not necessarily all.

I was going to suggest putting in a list of names/numbers of recommended sitters if you had such a thing. But kmk's suggestion is more direct.

Usually I would address the invitation to the adults only, and as bets suggested say "adults only" in a playful way.

There's no sense being tactful - just be forthright or humorous but be direct and clear. Some people are dense.

I recently had a party and wrote "cocktail party" and with the r.s.v.p. info "adults only, please". I considered being subtle, but decided with 60+ invitees I did not need people showing up with their kids because they didn't realize it was an adult party. I do not regret it!

(Even still, very close friends —who live 45 min. away—asked if they could bring their kids, I said no, but felt bad, and a neighbor's child stopped in for a bit. My kids were here, but they spent much of their time with my nephew who arrived sleeping but woke up due to the party! I did tell my brother if they were stuck, his son could come, but my sister chose to let her son stay home with their nanny, knowing he wouldn't sleep with 50 people in the house.)

shh-- that is the perfect suggestion!

Only invite people who you know do not have children. :smile:

Ok, "Adults Only" should do it. It's an invitation which can be declined, not a subpeona ... people will be fine with it.

Posted By: Scarletshh-- that is the perfect suggestion!

I agree with Shh as well. Some people are dense. Be direct, yet polite. This particular thing drives my wife nuts. Some people are hell-bent on bringing their kids to every damn event. It's very odd to us. And we both grew up in very family-oriented households. Kid time was kid time and adult time was adult time.

Posted By: funkyfreestyle

Posted By: Scarletshh-- that is the perfect suggestion!

I agree with Shh as well. Some people are dense. Be direct, yet polite. This particular thing drives my wife nuts. Some people are hell-bent on bringing their kids to every damn event. It's very odd to us. And we both grew up in very family-oriented households. Kid time was kid time and adult time was adult time.

That just amazes me. I have had that happen to several friends, never to us (thank goodness) but I can't imagine anyone would expect a cocktail party to be with kids.

How about something along the lines of: "Clothing Optional"?

i've had parties where i started the invite with... "Book a sitter, put on your dancin' shoes, and get ready to have fun!" and towards the bottom i added, "Let me know if you need babysitter suggestions, as this is not a kid-friendly party."

I think that's a nice, friendly gesture but me, being crabby, I never offer to suggest a sitter. It would never occur to me to say, "let me know if you need a ride" or "let me know if you need help picking out something to wear" so I'd just assume sitter-challenged people stay home in their sitter-less universe. :wink:

I agree apple. Or maybe they arrive and feel stupid with kids in tow?!

I think "Call your best babysitter, because this is not an 'all audiences' event!" sends the message and sounds kind of dangerous.

I'd make sure I was at *that* party! Of course, then you'll really have to deliver...

Or, "Better get a babysitter, because this party is too sophisticated for children," if it's a bit fancier.

Or, "Drinks, food, and music will be oriented for adult revelry. Please arrange for a sitter."

Or, title the whole event as a non-children night. "Parents Night Out Cocktail Party: get a sitter and relax with some adults."

better yet: "We hate children and will eat any that are brought. Please let us know how much food we'll need to buy or if you're supplying the meat."

"Children will not be seen or heard at this event - don't bring them!"

mommyrock, shouldn't that be "broughten?":fingersear:

Posted By: mommyrockbetter yet: "We hate children and will eat any that are brought. Please let us know how much food we'll need to buy or if you're supplying the meat."

:rolling:

You could decorate the outside to make it look like a gingerbread house....:wink:

Sign at a store in Caldwell:

'Unattended children will be given an espresso and a free puppy...'

Scully - i've seen that what store is it again ?

Willing Hearts.
A consignment shop on Bloomfield Avenue across from Ace Hardware.

This is a true sore spot with me, my MOL people!

We too have had gatherings at the house and I've made it quite clear that it was an adults only event and still a handful of kids showed up with the parents thinking, 'oh, the Kibbeboys will be there so it shouldn't be a problem'. Thing is, the Kibbeboys LIVE here and are not part of the party. It got so bad that we were like screw it, let's just hire our sitter in case the Dining For Dummies crew show up with their kids. Sure enough, some did and that was that. I get pissed about that too because now I have to pay for our sitter to sit for kids that shouldn't even be here!!! The emails, the phone calls, the requests asking can they bring their children when it's written plainly or via Evite that it's an "Adults Only" soiree is just ridiculous to me. There are many things to this day that I have to skip because I can't get a sitter. Why can't others do the same? I hate that people don't take this stuff seriously. To have kids running around while you're trying to entertain is the worse.

I recd an invitation recently that had "Adults Only" at the RSVP spot AND said "Leave the kids at home; this party is for adults." It said something about wine and cheese. It also reinforced the message with choice of design -- a dark-colored invite with pix of cocktails and a guy in a tux. It couldn't have been clearer and I didn't find it heavy-handed at all. I could only think that they knew from exp to be REALLY clear.

What everyone has suggested is great, so I would only add that the invitation should also be a little more sophisticated, not cute, just to send the message home.

And, yes, send the invite to the adults names only.

My hair salon has a sign that cracks me up every time, but really gets the point across:

"Unattended children will be given lots of sugar and a puppy."

Posted By: scullySign at a store in Caldwell:

'Unattended children will be given an espresso and a free puppy...'

Hey! I just saw this. My salon has been talking to your store... :rolling:

Posted By: ScarletSome people are hell-bent on bringing their kids to every damn event. It's very odd to us. And we both grew up in very family-oriented households. Kid time was kid time and adult time was adult time.

It's not that those people are dense, rather, their kids are brilliant, cute, well mannered, great conversationalists, say the damn cutest , quotable things and --- well who wouldn't appreciate "my kids" at any party?

I once wrote "I'm farming my kids out and so should you!" for an adults-only party. That way, no one could use the "her kids will be home so what the heck?" excuse.

Posted By: scullySign at a store in Caldwell:

'Unattended children will be given an espresso and a free puppy...'

Saw the exact sign on a glass bottom boat tour in Miami this week!
There was one "lost" child -- geez, How can a kid get lost on a boat tour ( 100 people on the boat) ? Several passengers commented on the free puppy/ espresso sign.

scully and peggyc,

Those made me laugh out loud. If that doesn't deter parents, nothing will...

ml