Birthday party question

How many children does your child usually invite?

Dd always has big backyard party bdays. Her smallest was her 1st bday at 25 guests. Last year we had about 60 guests total for her 5th. This year she wants to invite all her classmates, 18 kids and then her cousins and other friends which when all is said and done is like 55 kids plus adults. Besides the 18 classmates whom I don’t know every one else always shows.

We keep it low key. Some decorations, I order pizza and make a bunch of apps and order a cake and make cupcakes and a fruit salad for dessert. I rent a bounce house every year and we do some candy gift bags. She loves it.

I suggested she cuts down the list but she doesn’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings. Plus in regards to her classmates she lists 12 to invite but cutting out 6 feels icky to me.

She did ask if she could just ask for Disney gift cards or cheer gift cards but asking for money is tacky.

Sorry, this turned into a vent more than a general question. It’s just getting out of hand and I don’t know how to cut it down.

Re: Birthday party question

I do a party for her classmates/friends and one tiny one for family (immediate family over for pizza and cake in our yard and go in the pool).

I would never combine classmates with a family party.
No way

Re: Birthday party question

IMO, you can’t cut out random classmates. Best way to do it is to only invite the girls or the boys. This will cut it down by half.

A backyard party is a bit better if large... we have a winter birthday & the parties DD wants are very space limited. We cut out everyone except for the immediate cousins and the classmate girls (plus one or two good friends in other classes). This gets us to 20 kids invited (half are from school). We have a 50-100% attendance in the winter. It’s higher in the summer.

As for gifts, sometimes a mom makes a “goal gift” like a game system & asks for a donation to it if parents would like to participate instead of a gift. It’s usually $20. I always participate as it’s so much easier!!!

Birthday party question

I also do a class party at a place and a family party at home. I don't like combining school friends and family. It's much easier and I can enjoy each gathering separately rather than hosting tons of pple.

Birthday party question

We always do a friends party and a separate family party. In K, she just invited the girlsl in her class because she chose a girly themed type of party. And last year for first grade, i just had her invite her closest friends (not necessarily the kids in her class). We had 10 girls total and it was pefect. I’m having her do the same thing again this year.

ETA: I would never specify what gifts she would like. Sometimes a parent will ask what she’s into and I’ll just say art &crafts, etc...

Message edited 1/19/2019 6:57:15 PM.

Birthday party question

I agree with 2 parties.

Birthday party question

In your case I would have 2 parties.

Birthday party question

I did a party for my kids, never again. I did it for their 2ns birthday while I don’t have complaints it’s costly and gets out of hand. Their first birthday we took the day off too them out to eat and went to build a bear. The next day they had the grandparents and our siblings for cake. This year we had the party, and we are going back to our old way. You go out for a special experience/ place and a nice meal. I would maybe see if she wants something besides a party

Re: Birthday party question

Re: Birthday party question

Is she being invited to every child's party from her class? If so, I would reciprocate. If not, then I would have no problems leaving them off your list.

Re: Birthday party question

Re: Birthday party question

We have always invited all the girls in the class (between 7 and 12 depending on class size), my close friends’ kids (only b/c we had room for them) and 3 cousins. Usually we end up between 12 and 18 altogether. I will also extend the invite to younger siblings of some of her classmates whose families we are close with, as a courtesy. But she goes to a small catholic school and we will be with the same small crew forever and it’s like family.

Re: Birthday party question

DD had 56 kids on her list this year, we did her whole class which was 20 kids (including her) her cheer team and then friends/ families not in those 2 areas.

honestly we ended up only having 30 kids and 7 ended up not coming 3 cancelled and 4 no show no call

most of the kids were from cheer and friends/families. almost half her class didn't even RSVP even when i tried to follow up

she is winter baby so we always have it out. i was nervous a lot was going to RSVP so i did put a money aside to cover 50 kids but luckily we only had 30!.

Re: Birthday party question

Posted by blu6385

DD had 56 kids on her list this year, we did her whole class which was 20 kids (including her) her cheer team and then friends/ families not in those 2 areas.

honestly we ended up only having 30 kids and 7 ended up not coming 3 cancelled and 4 no show no call

most of the kids were from cheer and friends/families. almost half her class didn't even RSVP even when i tried to follow up

she is winter baby so we always have it out. i was nervous a lot was going to RSVP so i did put a money aside to cover 50 kids but luckily we only had 30!.