[jbug]

I'm thinking about hosting an open house on the 30th for my apartment complex. I only know the people that live on the side of my building and then it is only just a couple of them. I don't even really even know my next door neighbor. I love to entertain and think I am well enough to do it.

I had my friend Michelle go through her Itunes and pick me out some songs to burn on a CD for me. That should be in the mail to me soon. She called me tonight and we made the playlist.

I kind of have a menu. I thought just snacks. Halloween type snacks. Punch with ice shaped hands, cookies with spider webs and things like that.

Last year we got notices from the police that some bad type people had moved into the complex so I was thinking about putting on the invites no children so I wouldn't put them at risk.

So what do you think? Should I do this?

[Maven]

If you feel comfortable with the idea, I'd say go ahead. It's a good way to meet people, and maybe others in your complex would like to know more people but are too shy to approach them, so this will give them a way to do that.

I don't like spider webs in my cookies.

[Sabrina]

I'd say you are doing a good thing.

Just wondering why you used the trigger icon on your post

[jbug]

I put the trigger icon on my post because of the last part and the bad people that could possibly come and them being bad people towards children and needing to put no children on the invites.

I talked with my T about it today and she said just don't invite them. She told me how to go to my counties offender site and find out what apartments they live in and just not invite them. She also thought I'd get overwhelmed if I invited my whole complex which is about 42 apartments I think so we decided I would just invite my building which is 12 apartments. She said it would be more manageable.

Jan

[Elysium]

Good for you for taking a step to get to know your neighbors...and for looking out for the children in your community.

Depending on how you advertise for this get together, it could be difficult to NOT invite someone so I offer this suggestion...

If your apartment community has a club house...could you speak with your apt manager and see if you could use the club house on that day/night, or rent it for a small fee? Then you could have kind of an open time frame where people could come and go...and you wouldn't be inviting any shady people inside your home.

If you're comfortable having them in your house then that's cool. I'm one of those people that only want you in my house if I know you and I trust you. I won't even let the police inside my house. LOL!!!

Hope you have a great celebration!!

[VickiesPath]

Jan, I really like your idea. And, I like Elysium's idea. If there is no fee, or just a returnable deposit it would be great. Years (30) ago, I lived in a huge apartment complex and the management had a pig roast on the grounds. Hole in the ground for roasting pit, the works. Everyone loved it and we got to know each other. Usually you just go your own way and never meet. Never know when you might need a favor.

[jbug]

I talked with my therapist about it yesterday and she thought it was a good idea. She did say she thought I should scale it back a bit though and just invite my building. My apartment complex is just 2 buildings each single floors. My building has 12 apartments and I know the one next to me isn't occupied.

We discussed the idea of the bad people and she suggested I go online to the offenders website since they have to register and I know they have because when they moved in the police came around with a flyer with their picture on it and the apartment they were living in. I plan on doing this when I go out to mom and dad's tomorrow because the website I looked at required Flash and mine is too old and my user system is too old to upgrade to the new Flash. There is one of my neighbors that is either drunk or high most of the time and we decided I just wouldn't invite him. If he came to the door saying I heard you were having a party I could say something like yes I am and it's a private party I'm sorry. Now here's hoping I can do that.

Jan

[jbug]

I emailed my dad aka money man to make sure I was going to have the money to throw my party and he said no. He also said that he didn't think it was a good idea anyway because he thought there were some unsavory people living in my building and he didn't want them in my apartment. So my party is off.

I am a bit bummed but if he is right about the people I guess he has a point.

Jan

[Maven]

Well, if you still want to do it, being careful whom you invite, you could invite a few people you know well enough to think they're okay, and to keep it cheaper, have everyone bring something--assign duties, so people each bring a party food different from the others. Maybe one person brings pretzels, another chips (and dip?), or salty snacks (one person brings all salty snacks), cupcakes, cakes, soda, etc. One person can bring some decorations, maybe, and help you put them up. That'll save you money and you still get to meet some neighbors.

[Sabrina]

A good suggestion from Maven though I am sorry that it hasn't worked out.