To cancel DDs party this Sunday?

Invite more kids!

For next time- £40 ish for balloon pump and a balloon set from Amazon ; 15 min you tube video how to make your own arch, garland or whatever you want.

How can balloons be that much, all 3 year olds want to do is run around chasing balloons not looking at them as decorations

£250 on balloons!!! well - can any of that money be got back somehow? Have the packages been opened?

Would the venue allow you to move to another date?

300 quid! So it's a massive balloon arch for a done-to-death TikTok and Instagram post, then? Do you think 10 kids won't be enough on the popularity scale?

I would firstly make absolutely sure those 9 were going to turn up - and then I would invite all their siblings - and any other children you can think of - I think at this point I would probably be pretty honest with people and say you really need chidlren to come or your daughter will be let down. Let the shame go !!

We had my daughters 3rd birthday in our garden! and I still remember how lovely it was - I think that is a lot of pressure for a 3 year olds party but - obviously it's done now.

I really want to know this too!

Well you’ve spent a lot and it’s not refundable, so go ahead with it. Invite more people and have a really great celebration.

It will be one of them flashy fuck off balloon arches ….which at 3 will not be appreciated anymore than blowing up 20 balloons from home bargain and throwing them round the room

Just have the party now.

I have to say that I find it beyond belief to spend this amount of money on a toddler's party ... smacks of 'keeping up with the jones's) on social media.

No, don't cancel. Your DD can still have a lovely time. Don't let those that have cancelled spoil the day.

Have you got a WhatsApp chat with any mums? Any cousins etc that could come? If a lot of the money is now dead money if you cancelled I'd go ahead.

Not the same but my august-born had a soft play party where only half the people came and it was great, much less overwhelming and meant she actually appreciated who was there

i would be thinking of cancelling but first is there any relatives kids or other people you can invite

this is why i keep birthdays cheap

i once tried invite just a handful for trampoline and pizza party.I confirmed with all the parents before booking and one showed up .People are just the worst

Dear god
how much will the PFB have spent on their 18th birthday?

Why would you cancel if you can't get a refund? Your dd will still have fun. 9 kids is plenty.

What party decor costs £300!

these kids are 3….I mean what do you need to make you happy at 3??

Back garden/front room ….free
decor home bargain …..30 quid
bouncy castle ….if it’s 100 quid in your area?
pinata home bargain. 7 quid
pin the horn on the unicorn home bargain …£1
food and party bags …..60 quid max
cake …..Aldi caterpillar cake ….a fiver

all this could be done for less than a quarter or £1k

what you going to do when she’s older …..her expectations will be thru the roof

but if you have lots of money then go for it

It sounds like a great party. If you have the money and that's how you want to spend it then that's your prerogative. I hope she has a great time!! I wouldn't cancel, just check that siblings are invited and attending. Maybe see if you have any other friends/neighbours that might want to come. But they'll have a great time even with just 9, you don't have to fill the numbers and invite people you don't want just to fill it up 😊

That's unfortunate, can you bulk it out with neighbours kids, siblings of confirmed attendees etc.

It is hard with parties, we don't have much family so have always felt compelled to host parties and have always been dependent on others bringing their kids along which I've been very appreciative of. It has however always been nerve wracking worrying if it's going to be low attendance.

I do think £1000 is a bit much though, we've always capped ours at £500 but that's for absolutely everything including the party and some small gifts from us, so normally split £400 party and £100 gifts from us.

Our last party we had entertainer £250, hall booking £70 and lots of McDonalds happy meals I think about £50. I pulled the reins in on party bags and this time did a themed sweet which I bought in bulk for £15. But in previous years I've spent more, but it is a waste.

If this is the first party for your first child I understand getting caught up in the excitement of it all and the budget blowing up like that. It can seem like all aspects are important.

After a few parties some things are no longer important, at the recent party I pondered over decorating the hall and decided not to bother which was the right decision as it saved money and kids didn't care as the entertainer made it special.

I would still have the party but if possible bulk out numbers a little bit. Parents will stay at that age too so that will help fill up space if you have booked a large venue.

Good luck on the day x

£300 on decor and disposable plates? Can any of this be refunded, kids are fine with paper plates from the supermarket (£1.50 for 8) cups (same price) and a few balloons also from supermarket than you blow up yourself - £25 in total let's say.

If either of the suppliers will let you cancel have the bouncy castle or ball pond.

It’s a lot of money to spend and if you can’t get a refund then I would be going ahead with it.

Venue hire is extortionate too. We can rent the village hall for about £30

Wow, I thought my £75 spend on decorations for my daughter's 3rd (joint!) party was OTT 😅

Why on earth would you cancel when it's non refundable? There's going to be 10 children there that will have a lovely time, including your dd. Why would you want to ruin her birthday?