How do you handle guest lists from getting out of hand for LO's bday?

Here is my dilemma: I never want anyone to feel excluded from anything so I always invite everyone to parties. Now that DD is turning 3 many of her friends have siblings, some of them more than 1.

I am having her bday party at gymboree, wanted to keep it simple since I will just about be due with LO #2.

Of course in a perfect world, I could invite everyone, but they can only handle 20 kids. Also being that the age ranges would be from 6 months to 5 I am not sure if it would be a very good idea. Also, we have been invited to both kids parties so I would hate for anyone to feel snubbed.

If you have more than one child what is your thoughts on this? Do you expect all children to be invited to every party?

How do you handle guest lists from getting out of hand for LO's bday?

I only have one child so I don't know what is generally expected but this is my opinion...If it were a friend of mine or my husbands having the party for their child, I would expect all of my kids to be invited even if they did not fall in the age range. If it were a friend from school or something, I wouldn't be upset if my other children were not invited.

How do you handle guest lists from getting out of hand for LO's bday?

Whomever the invite was addressed to is expected at the party..esp ifits @ a venue. I wld not show up with my 2 other kids if party was lets say at a bowling alley or bounce house or gymnastic facility. I would call host if I had sitter issues & see if I could pay for my other kids to join. I have NEVER expected my other kids to be included (unless noted or got a verbal ok).

Re: How do you handle guest lists from getting out of hand for LO's bday?

Re: How do you handle guest lists from getting out of hand for LO's bday?

Thanks- I mean more would you be offended if only one of your LO's was invited to a party? I really wish I could have everyone.


I was in your place before, and always invited everyone. My eldest just turned 6, and started to 'plan' his parties and would let me know he'd want only "all boys party." The other two are still young. If only one of my LO's was invited, I definitely won't be offended. It's actually nice when kids are within the same age group. Families are getting bigger, and when the whole group varies in age, it's a little trickier to choose party favors, game prizes, etc.

How do you handle guest lists from getting out of hand for LO's bday?

Invite only the friends and not siblings. I would never expect an entire family to be invited

Message edited 9/20/2013 8:44:33 PM.

Re: How do you handle guest lists from getting out of hand for LO's bday?

I have two kids that are close in age. My feeling and that of my friends is, if we socialize outside of school and the entire families get together then both or all of the kids in a family are invited, or if we are friends outside of school then all kids are invited; on the other hand, if we are just school friends then just the child that is in the class will be invited to the party. People 100% understand, financially you just can't invite everyone and not only that many of these places have size constraints. HTH