Block party etiquette? archived

I think that they’re already planning a party, why not invite the block. And considering the original party was for the kids, give everyone a heads up.

Is there a yearly block party in your neighborhood? Is this the person organizing it this year? Or is the announcement out of the blue? Could be anything from an ill-conceived attempt to save paper, to inviting the whole neighborhood to the b'day party, with an awkward reference to gifts (though not as problematic as including registries in a wedding invitation, imo).

How to find out, if you're new? Ask around? Is there any reference to helping out? Most block parties are a group effort. If this family is hosting the whole shebang, then it *sounds* as though they might just want to invite the whole block for the b'day, how nice! But why guess when you can ask? And when you find out, you can RSVP yes or no to suit yourself.

keep us posted!

Who on earth would close a whole block for their kid's birthday party? Can you even do that without permission from your neighbors?

This seems really strange. I'm DYING to know how this ends up :bigsmile:

Oh - just had a thought...are you sure the clever kids didn't just "add on" the birthday bit to try to get some good stuff? Maybe the kids are trying to get some gifts without mom knowing!
:rolling:

munch, munch...

If gifts are optional...then it's just that! Optional!

My block party was also my 40th B-day party. It just woreked out that way. I didn't receive gifts, but it was really fun being with the whole block that day.

I see nothing wrong with mixing the two events.

If you don't bring a gift, I don't see where that's a big deal.

In fact, this seems like a big deal is being made over nothing. Its a fun time for the neighborhood.

Go and have fun. Meet your new neighbors. Eat cake!

jeanneh - but, did the block party just happen to coincide with your birthday or did the block party invites to all the neighbors also include a note about it being your birthday?

And how long before the organizer reads this and realizes her neighbors are talking about her ... Mainly, someone name "Audrey" ...

Wow, that sounds harsh! The block party is a community event, right, so why is the community then obliged to dedicate the party to an individual? A celebration of a person or a few people is whole other event, usually a private event.

My block party is always my birthday weekend, but I wouldn't make it the event. I wonder what this neighbor is thinking.

No Tiger the invite didn't include my b-day info.

It was coincidence that the party was the same day as my B-day BUT--my neighbors did go out of their way to celebrate it, and even made a special cake for me.

Come to think about it..my neighbors love any excuse to have a party...and if that includes blocking off the street..so be it!

I love my neighbors!!

I''ve been to a number of different block parties (as face painter) and I have to say, that in most places I've attended...it wouldn't have mattered to ANYONE if a birthday party broke out in the middle of it.

jeanneh - I think what you're talking about is completely fine - it's nice that your neighbors did something for you. It's just different than what the OP posted about though, I think.

Lets say they did want to block off the street for the kids...so what? It's only 4 hours. Let the kids have fun.

And if they want to include the neighborhood so they can do it--what so wrong???

I just don't see what the big deal is.

I say party--while you still can.

The whole thing is optional..Go--don't go. Bring gifts, or don't.

It's not a huge deal--that's all I'm saying.

Ditto what jeanneh said. For all you know the block party was organized for a day that the kids bday party was scheduled, so the mom decided to combine the two.

Posted By: jeannehLets say they did want to block off the street for the kids...so what? It's only 4 hours. Let the kids have fun.

And if they want to include the neighborhood so they can do it--what so wrong???

I just don't see what the big deal is.

I say party--while you still can.

The whole thing is optional..Go--don't go. Bring gifts, or don't.

It's not a huge deal--that's all I'm saying.

There you go ... Life's short. My birthday's next month and you're all invited, but PLEASE bring gifts!!

I guess I don't see how inviting people who you barely know to a birthday party for your kids wouldn't create an awkward situation**. If they couldn't keep themselves from inviting the whole block to their kids' party, they should have at least added a little note that said "we had a scheduling conflict with the party so we're celebrating our kids and our neighbors the same day - no gifts please, just be sure to save room for cake!" or something to that effect. I just think otherwise, they're making people feel awkward unnecessarily.

**edited to add - as part of a neighborhood-sponsored party

Posted By: TigerLillyWho on earth would close a whole block for their kid's birthday party? Can you even do that without permission from your neighbors?

I know a family who does this every year for their two children's birthdays--one big "block party" for both. They live on a "cross block" between to other streets that run perpendicular to theirs, so it's a small street. The town doesn't care what the party is for, as long as you get the permit.

Wow, I'm surprised they don't have to get permission from the people that live on the part that's closed off. I can't imagine making a big stink about it as a neighbor, really, I just didn't think people could do it without permission.

Posted By: TigerLillyWow, I'm surprised they don't have to get permission from the people that live on the part that's closed off. I can't imagine making a big stink about it as a neighbor, really, I just didn't think people could do it without permission.

From past "block party" block parties in my neighborhood, I think you are required to get one or two signatures from folks who live on the streets affected (at least I think thats why they require signatures). Can't imagine anyone begrudging the kids their day, and I'm sure anyone effected would be invited.

Audrey, is this a "block party" in the sense that everyone is contributing food and/or paying money, or is it completely "sponsored" by the family whose children will be celebrating their birthday? If it's the former, then I'd say that is a REAL problem, if it's the latter, then it's all free and it's all good and you should go and have fun. Maybe even bring a little token gift/s for the kiddies!

In the case I sited above, this family foots the bill for everything, whereas your typical "block party" is a group effort in terms of food and finances.

I agree with you meand - I wouldn't have a problem with the neighbors who did this for their kids. But, as you point out, there is a distinction between a party that everyone sponsors and one that only the one family sponsors - completely different situation....

You are required to get signatures from the majority of the neighbors who live there. As long as the majority of the neighbor's don't mind you can block it off :wink:

By "block party" are we sure they meant blocking off the street, or is it just the kind of street with minimal traffic (like mine) where everyone can be out front and hanging out with each other without closing off the street? Perhaps they were going to throw a fairly large birthday party, and decided to invite everyone from the block.

If and when I throw a big shindig at my house which may spill out from the backyard into the front yard and the front porch, I will definitely invite my neighbors from the block, not only because it would be great to have them, but also so that they will be forewarned that a large shindig is happening on their block.

Sounds like they decided to combine the two (if they're doing the legwork for the block party, I can't say I blame them), then decided to give everyone a heads up, and an "out" about bringing a gift.

If it were me, I'd bring a gift, and if I showed up and saw the kid's birthday party angle, I'd have felt "awkward" about not having had the warning about it. I like giving kids gifts. We always try to bring gifts if we visit a place where there are kids, so I may come at it with a different attitude.

OK - audrey - we need some clarification. Is this a party thrown by the family of the kids, or is it a neighborhood-sponsored party that they're inserting their kids' birthday party onto?

Posted By: harvardmanAnd how long before the organizer reads this and realizes her neighbors are talking about her ... Mainly, someone named "Audrey" ...

why did i find this so funny? i laughed out loud. i'm hoping "audrey" is just a handle.

Isn't their other important conversations about our town than talking about a neighbor who wants to have a block party and add the kid's birthday party to it, Geez. Isn't this considered GOSSIP!!! Don't ask just go to the party and have fun.

Posted By: spahaIsn't their other important conversations about our town than talking about a neighbor who wants to have a block party and add the kid's birthday party to it, Geez. Isn't this considered GOSSIP!!! Don't ask just go to the party and have fun.

And get a present at the dollar store!

This post is actually doing better than the flyer's the kids were handing out...why don't we all go.:smile::smile::rolling::rolling::rolling::rolling:

I think this was more about the present, so do what jersey boy said to do...or 99 cent store. Hee!

Maybe Joy will chime in since she is our lead organizer ... my block is having a block party this weekend and we had to have one adult from EACH household sign the form to have the street closed.

It seems tacky to me. The street will be closed off and the woman is basically soliciting gifts for her kids, at least that is my read of the notice. If the family organizing the party is paying for the food and drink, it is slightly less tacky.

From our days of organizing block parties my recollection of gathering signatures is the same as Sac's. Inevitably, there are one or two families reluctant to sign, either out of pure orneriness or because they were planning a shindig of their own.