Julia Altshuler wrote:

> That's a good question. We're not arguing over price, quite the
> contrary. We've both said we can pay for more than half. I think my
> brother and I are using price because we don't have much else to base
> our decisions on. We know that I like smaller parties best, but our
> parents like big affairs. We know we want to appear generous and
> entertain in style, but we also know the guests will mostly be in their
> 70s and 80s, which would mean less food, less energetic dancing, little
> or no alcohol, earlier in the day rather than later. On the other hand,
> the guests might not want to be treated like old folks. They might want
> the appearance of youth and energy. I see more advantages in
> entertaining at a hotel. My brother likes the idea of using his house.
> We're both agreeable. Neither of us has any real experience. With
> all that in mind, I thought I'd look into price to see if that swayed us
> one way or the other.

Here's what I'm thinking. A tent in the yard? How are the people
going to handle walking through the grass? Once they've done that,
what are the bathroom facilities going to be? More trekking across
the lawn to get to the house to use the bathroom?

I recently hosted a small luncheon for not such a happy occasion,
and even having the bathrooms on different floors was a problem for
some of the people who attended. All I'm saying is, consider the
logistics when inviting people who are aged.

My personal opinion is that you parents might be proud that you
rented a room for them (laughing, that sounds bad), but I mean to
look good in front of their friends. But I'm not them, I had other
people in mind when I thought that. If it's going to be at home, I
really can't see holding it in a tent. Just my you know what.

nancy