I know there are always a ton of these questions about RSVPing to birthday parties. I had 3 people RSVP to my daughter's birthday party - no one RSVPd regrets. I sent invites to her entire class and some to her after school program - I think a total of 25 invites. I know two won't be there because they are out of town. I knew this when I sent the invities in the first place. In your opinion how many would you expect to show up that may or may not have RSVPd? Realizing that we may only really have 3 people show up and it is considered inappropriate not to RSVP. I'm prepared for anything but was just wondering what you would expect.
I asked this just to see what kind of answers I would get because the party was today. I did not have a parent directory to call parents about the invites - the school does not give them out due to privacy policies. I really only expected about 8-10 kids to show up and that is all they did. I generally had enough of everything needed so it didn't matter - like I said I was prepared for everything. Was just interested in what others thought might happen.
Expect 15 or so but have goody bags to take home ONLy for the 3 would RSVPd citing that oops I had no idea you were coming...
My son's last birthday was at a location that could support a lot of kids (and not a per-kid charge) so I let him invite his entire class - 28 kids. 2 responded no, 10 responded yes, 16 didn't respond. A total of 11 showed up for the party. The 10 yes + 1 no-respond.
With that many in question, I would start calling people...
Sadly but true...most people don't rsvp nowadays. I think it is just common courtesy and proper etiquette. It's sad when we live in a world where people are to busy to just say yes or no. I have this dilemma all the time on evites. Glad it all worked out : )
People just don't respond. They may not see the invitation, they may have forgotten about it, etc....I think it's always better to give invitations then call a few days before. They're still going to forget and not show up too.
I wouldn't guess. I would start calling the other 20 parents to get a definite yes or no.
I would contact every one of them and ask if they're coming. Let them know you hadn't heard either way and need to confirm they're not coming.
Next year, try Evite. I did that this year and best response ever. I had a 100% response yes or no within days or sending it out. I'm sold. Never again sending out birthday party invites another way.
My experience is not too many people show up that don't RSVP. If you can contact any parents, I would ask them directly (even if it is in passing at pick up from after school program etc). If not, I would only anticipate 1 or 2 extra to show up. If your daughter is old enough, she can ask some of her friends if they are coming. It isn't always reliable when kids say "yes", but at least gives you an idea of which kids think they will be there. Good luck!
I plan for 50% of the invitees to show up.
We had a graduation party yesterday. We invited 100, and 50 people made it. :)
That's just the way it is.
Our school has a directory with email addresses. When I invited the whole class, I sent a reminder email to everyone...it was a little bit of work, but everyone RSVP'd by replying to the email.
The million dollar question. I have found that usually 2-3 kids who didn't RSVP do show up, with the number of invites you sent out. I quit doing gift bags long ago, unless I find something that is specific to the party that I think will be fun. It's made it a little easier to not...not have enough.
As someone said a little extra cake and a little extra food isn't a big deal. So plan for 8-10 kids.
I think that you are going to have a really small party. However, Murphy's Law says that if you plan like it will be small, you will have way more and be embarrassed about not having enough stuff for all of the kids. SO, you are just screwed either way.
I had a really bad party experience with my kids earlier this year about RSVPs. Needless to say, we will NOT be doing another class party.
I see this question so many times and it always surprises me. I have never had this problem. We recently invited 20 children to my son's party (all invites sent in the mail) and every single person RSVPd (19 yes, 1 no!) I can't for the life of me understand why so many people don't RSVP anymore, and why I don't have this problem.
Anyway, are you able to follow up with the moms? Can you send an email, make phone calls, or talk to them at school pick up time? It is just so hard to predict whether you will end up with 3, 10 or 20. I definitely think follow up is needed. I hope many can come!
Well this is my feeling. I would prepare for only those that responded. If others show up, I would act so very surprised and flustered saying, oh my, I am sorry but not prepared. People just keep letting the non RSVPers just show up and accommodate them. This only reinforces their bad behavior.
They need to learn a lesson.
I remember a Four Wedding episode. When the re period came, people went to their tables. There were many who did not respond. Guess what. They were seated separately. Bet they always remember to R SVP!
I would send an email to those that didn't reply.
if you don't have the ability to call or see parents at pick up. then I would probably only plan for 8-10 at the most,
but to be sure maybe have plan A for 5 kids and Plan B for emergencies if 12 showed up.
Maybe only buy 5 goodies bags if you are doing that and if 12 show up then no one gets any ( theywill live and there moms will be fine with it trust me)
As for cake either adjust the size of the pieces or get a largish one and plan to have leftovers.
for food plan pizza and just order more if you have too.
It's really hard and it really stinks, I can understand a few people "forgetting" but not over 20 people. i bet what happened was people just didn't want to bring their kids or they had other plans and just chose to NOT let you know. I wonder to myself if those people ever host anything themselves.
I would start calling or emailing. Put the parents on the spot.
