Guests asked to eat BEFORE Michelle Obama's 50th birthday party

Jan. 8, 2014

The First Lady will celebrate the milestone birthday on Jan. 18 at the White House, but a save-the-date email advised guests to dine before coming to the 'Snacks & Sips & Dancing & Dessert' party. Obama's actual birthday is on Jan. 17 and she is currently enjoying the President's gift - and extended vacation in Hawaii.

THE WHITE HOUSE

Michelle Obama, dancing in the State Dining Room in November with choreographer Nakul Dev Mahajan, plans to let loose on the dance floor for her 50th birthday.

Michelle Obama doesn't want to mess around with food at her 50th birthday party, instructing guests to eat before they arrive at the White House for the First Lady's "Snacks & Sips & Dancing & Dessert" shindig.

The coterie of invitees received a save-the-date email for the Jan. 18 event, with strict guidelines to wear comfortable shoes, practice their dance moves and arrive with a full stomach — a directive that has left some etiquette experts scratching their heads.

"I don't think it's rude, but I do think it's a little ... different," Lizzie Post, great-great-granddaughter of Emily Post, told the Washington Post.

"I've never seen it said straight out. That is definitely new," said Washington area party planner Andre Wells.

TASOS KATOPODIS/GETTY IMAGES

The First Lady dances with schoolchildren in Chicago. For her own soiree later this month, guests were asked to dine ahead of coming to the party.

The self-dubbed mom-in-chief turns 50 on Jan. 17 and will hold her food-light celebration the next day, likely in the White House East Room.

There is no word on who is on the guest list, though many suspect hip-hop royalty Jay-Z and wife Beyoncé will be among the revelers.

She got an early birthday present from the President — an extended Hawaiian vacation after the family holiday stay on the island.

JACQUELYN MARTIN/AP

The President and first daughters arrived home on Sunday but the First Lady stayed behind in Hawaii.

The President and daughters Malia, 15, and Sasha, 12, returned to the arctic temperatures of D.C. on Sunday, leaving the birthday girl behind.

The Daily Caller reported that the First Lady is relaxing at the Oprah Winfrey estate in Maui for a "girl getaway" with CBS morning host Gayle King, President Obama's adviser Valerie Jarrett and Sharon Malone, wife of Attorney General Eric Holder.

White House Press Secretary Jay Carney told reporters Monday "the first family will appropriately fund personal expenses," but said a government aircraft will be used for her travel back to Washington.

Her return date is unknown.

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