Very true Lise. And one usually gets the message when the affair is to be a family atmosphere, and when it's not. I like both......but I usually like to know ahead which kind of gathering it is going to be.
I usually guage it, that if there is alcohol involved, it doesn't seem like a good place for the kiddies.
At Mr. P.C.'s office do, a few people (including the owners) brought their kids for the first hour.....and then drove them off to the sitters, or had the sitters come and get them. It was nice to see the little munchkins in their Christmas finery.