Invitations went out on the 11th for my daughters 5th birthday party for the 26th. I put a RSVP date of the 21st. We sent out 26 invitations and so far have only heard from 4. One of which was saying they couldn't make it. I am starting to get alittle nerveous that no one will be coming. Am I jumping the gun alittle here? How do I explain to my daughter that her party may have to be cancelled? I am heart broken here. I know that there is 2 more days to respond but is it the norm to wait till the last minute to respond? Here is my other dilema.... a little boy in her pre school class has his birthday party the same day as my daughters. He invited all the boys and only 3 girls and my daughter was one of them. Could this be a problem with parents? To choose which party to go to. My daughter wanted a sleigh riding party and then we are going to McDonald's for lunch and cake. The little boys party is at Chucky Cheese. Could it be that we choose an outdoor event compaired to a indoor event? Ashley's party will end at 1:30 and the boys will start at 2:30. I had the tough decision of whether or not she will go to his and I decided that she will go. I just hope that it won't be too long of a day for her, with her party and then his. (If she has hers). I am just so upset over this and not sure what to do. Only 1 kid from her class has responded so far and the other 2 are the neighbors 2 kids and my neice and nephew. I don't know how she will react if we have to cancel her party. Any help or words of encouagement?
If you have their email addresses I would send out a polite reminder email. Put in the information for the party again and ask that they please respond.
I've had to do this many times. Most have responded right away after getting the reminder. People put the invites aside and they forget. Annoying but true.
This is my experience. We invited 15 kids from my daughter's class for her 5th birthday, With an RSVP date 2 days prior to the party I only had 4 people contact me - one prior to the date and the other 3 on the RSVP date. I only had 3 show up. I do think it's rude not to RSVP either way but it does happen. My question is - why would you cancel her party because the guest list is small? I would go on with the party. It is possible that the fact that it's an outdoor party may have something to do with it. Your profile says you are in NY? How cold is it supposed to be? We are in Texas and while it has been 50 degrees here the last few days I don't know that I would have an outside party here.
In my honest opinion I would contact the parents - maybe since you sent the invites out 2 weeks in advance it got lost in the everyday shuffle of life. Send out a reminder invite and ask to respond either way. Then I wouldn't worry about it. Have the party - sometimes smaller is better and if your daughter is looking forward to it why cancel because the guest list isn't the whole class. Plan for more to show up than RSVP'd then just have a good time.
People are notoriously late on RSVPing. Honestly, every party I've had, a bunch of people respond after the deadline.
Give it a few days before you freak out. You also may want to send a follow up email. Just say,
"Don't Forget! Please RSVP for Ashley's party and give the details. That way they have your information and all they have to do is reply.
My kids are preschool age and I don't think they have even noticed the number of kids attending! They were just excited to have a party and get presents and cake. I wouldn't cancel. You may get extra showing up. I would guess you have some parents who are not keen on attending two parties in one day. I know one is enough for me any day. Doing a reminder is a good idea as stated below. And as others have said, people just don't RSVP these days! It is annoying and nerve-wracking when planning a party.
Why cancel the party, she'll still have fun and so will the few who did RSVP.
The thing I have learned with RSVP's is that they just aren't reliable. I've had parties where people RSVP and no one but 1-2 people showed up, total bummer, but the birthday kid still had fun. then had the opposite, 2-3 people RSVP's and 10 kids came.
So what do I do? I plan the party, a few left overs never hurt anyone. I also don't plan one at play area's for this reason. Have your DD's birthday, and let her enjoy the company of who ever comes.
I use Evite because I find it's easier on people to respond.
I am so sorry no one has responded yet. I don't have any advice here. I just sent out my daughter's invite yesterday via evite and I heard back immediately from all but 1 parent.
If I was you, I wouldn't cancel the party. Have the party with the few kids and have fun. More doesn't necessarily mean merrier!
We always invite twice the number we want to show up. This is why I'm a big supporter of doing activities outside of school where she can widen her circle of friends. Do not cancel your daughter's party. I would just enjoy a smaller party. Its still preschool but you will have learned for as she gets older how to invite and widen her friend list.
don't cancel it. Just say to her that sometimes people have other stuff to do. If you have a set number you have to fill and you don't have enough to fill them then invite some neighborhood kids to go along also or some favorite adults. at that age it is hard to have fun with a million kids running around anyway. have fun with the ones who show up and let it go
Many people don't RSVP. I find often, it's that they forget to do it. They mean to call, text or email, but get sidetracked and don't follow through. I am not afraid to ask guests about an event. I would just send an email to those that hadn't RSVP'd and tell them you are trying to firm up numbers for the venue or goody bags and ask them if they are going to be able to join you. I wouldn't cancel the party, even if only three kids are able to join. Your daughter will be happy even with a smaller crowd. It will FEEL bigger with all the parents that will most likely stay and include whatever family you can. Plus a smaller number means it will be more budget friendly for you.
People do not respond. They just don't. When we stop expecting them to do that we'll all be a lot happier.
Sit down and call them. Even the ones who say they will be coming probably won't come.
It would just be a lot easier if everyone just planned a simple party and invited everyone then let them know they could just come if they wanted to and didn't need to respond.
If you have extra cake then you get to send some home with the guests that come or you get to eat some extra cake that week.
People just don't see the invitations half the time. You have no idea if they've even seen it.
Get a phone list from the teacher and call everyone. That way you can talk to the parents voice to voice. Still, some will forget and not even show up then.
During the winter I often wait until the last minute to respond because of all the sicknesses going around. I have had to cancel so many plans this month because someone in my family was sick.
heavens! don't be heartbroken already! there's a week until the party and another day until your RSVP deadline!
and sadly many people will not RSVP.
so, worst case scenario. the 3 people who have responded in the affirmative come. would you actually cancel her party? when my children were that young we only had as many kids as their years, so my 5 year olds would only have had a couple more kids than yours.
believe me, a 5 year old can have as much or more fun with 3 good friends than 26 whatevers. 26 is an insane number of kids to invite in my book.
paste on a smile and decide that your daughter will have a great birthday regardless of how many kids show up. she'll take her cues and learn huge life lessons from her MOM, not from the vagaries of modern party etiquette.
khairete
S.
Unfortunately, people don't tend to respond promptly if at all. Sometimes it is just because people forget.
Can you send a reminder in with her tomorrow (or Tuesday) that says "Just a quick reminder that Suzy's birthday party is Saturday, January 26th @ xx:xx. If you haven't already replied, please give us a call (#) or email (address) today so we know how many to expect". That is what a girl from my daughter's class did and I am glad because the invitation had never made it home but the reminder did. I later did the same thing and it helped get some responses that I otherwise hadn't received.
I wouldn't cancel her party. Go forward with it and have fun with those that come.
How rude! I would email each person on the 21st, politely. GL.
I am going through the exact same thing right now. I am having a joint party for both my son and daughter since they have the same birthday just 2 years apart. I have invited both children's entire class which amounts to 43 kids. I have received RSVPs for 7 so far...one of which is not coming. I have asked for RSVPs by the 23rd since the party is the 2nd. I am crossing my fingers that I start getting responses in the next day or two.
Otherwise, my game plan is to provide drinks and snacks that I can take home and use afterwards if left over...juice boxes, sodas, bags of chips, cans of chip dip. I will still have to guess on the size of the cakes and the pizza and will likely have a lot left over...
I am starting to panic as well...
