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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To cancel DDs party this Sunday?

338 replies

Partydilemma48293 · 03/09/2024 14:49

DD is 3 and we’re having a party for her in 2 weeks time. Have spent about £1000 on venue hire, entertainment etc.

Originally had 25 kids confirmed as coming and this has now dropped down to 9.

Should we cancel?

IABU - no don’t canxel
YANBU - cancel

OP posts:
fizzymizzy · 03/09/2024 15:53

Partydilemma48293 · 03/09/2024 15:45

For people saying that £1000 is far too much, we’ve spent:

£180 hall hire
£300 decor and partyware
£100 bouncy castle
£250 giant ball pit with slides

and then food and party bags.

Your choice, however, if you chose that why do you no longer want your DD to have it?

IWasHittingMyMarks · 03/09/2024 15:52

Partydilemma48293 · 03/09/2024 15:45

For people saying that £1000 is far too much, we’ve spent:

£180 hall hire
£300 decor and partyware
£100 bouncy castle
£250 giant ball pit with slides

and then food and party bags.

Far too much for a 3 year old. Completely unnecessary and they won't even remember most of these people or the party in a few years' time.

Coconutter24 · 03/09/2024 15:52

coxesorangepippin · 03/09/2024 15:50

£180 hall hire
£300 decor and partyware
£100 bouncy castle
£250 giant ball pit with slides

^

Yeah that's less than op but, still too much

'£300 on decor' 🤣

By the time OP has done food and party bags it will be the cost in her OP

I also can’t understand £300 on ‘decor’ balloons and paper plates £10 max!!

coxesorangepippin · 03/09/2024 15:52

https://groceries.asda.com/product/plain-biscuits/foxs-party-rings-125-g/19991

She bought 300 packets of party rings and still had change leftover

3 year old Tarquin doesn't even give a shit about party rings

https://groceries.asda.com/product/plain-biscuits/foxs-party-rings-125-g/19991

TomatoSandwiches · 03/09/2024 15:52

Yes absolutely cancel the non refundable £1k party, you seem inclined to make ridiculous decisions so why change?

TikehauLilly · 03/09/2024 15:51

As no refund - Don't cancel as those 9 that are coming plus your child shouldn't be punished by those that dropped out (a huge number for you in this case)

9 is a nice number - will be fun and food cost will be lower. Remember don't go OTT on that - they are 3!

£300 on decor is a bit much btw

SonicTheHodgeheg · 03/09/2024 15:51

Why would you cancel if you’re not getting a refund ?

I think that this is a good lesson for you to calm down next year (unless £1k is easy money for you)

Picklepoppypolly · 03/09/2024 15:51

I would invite the siblings of the children who confirmed. I wouldn’t cancel if there is no money back. It will be a good party with smaller numbers.

Silvers11 · 03/09/2024 15:51

Partydilemma48293 · 03/09/2024 15:45

For people saying that £1000 is far too much, we’ve spent:

£180 hall hire
£300 decor and partyware
£100 bouncy castle
£250 giant ball pit with slides

and then food and party bags.

It's not an unreasonable amount to spend for what you are getting for the money at all. I think those, including me, who have commented about the cost are just a bit stunned on organising that for a three year old, for whom it won't mean anything, especially not the decor, and won't be remembered for very long, if at all. Your call of course!

Normandy144 · 03/09/2024 15:51

Gosh that's a huge amount of money to have spent. But you can at least chalk it up to experience. I would explain to those who are still coming that they're welcome to bring siblings etc and invite some others otherwise it's a huge waste. In future I'd shop around for places to hire out. In my experience local village halls are nowhere near that amount of money. Partyware and decorations don't need to be anything grand for a child's party.

coxesorangepippin · 03/09/2024 15:50

Ballon arch??

Clearinguptheclutter · 03/09/2024 15:50

if you really can't cancel and get your money back for some of it then go ahead anyway. Maybe invite the ones that are coming's siblings to get the numbers up a bit.

coxesorangepippin · 03/09/2024 15:50

£180 hall hire
£300 decor and partyware
£100 bouncy castle
£250 giant ball pit with slides

^

Yeah that's less than op but, still too much

'£300 on decor' 🤣

Sheelanogig · 03/09/2024 15:49

I'd have the party if I couldn't get my monies back and I'd be inviting others to come along to have a fun time.

PinkyFlamingo · 03/09/2024 15:49

I wouldnt cancel nothing wrong with 9 kids,!
But please I'm so curious how you managed to spend £300 on decorations?

Clearinguptheclutter · 03/09/2024 15:49

what on earth do you get for £300 for "decor and partyware"? Balloons?

GermanBite · 03/09/2024 15:48

Partydilemma48293 · 03/09/2024 15:45

For people saying that £1000 is far too much, we’ve spent:

£180 hall hire
£300 decor and partyware
£100 bouncy castle
£250 giant ball pit with slides

and then food and party bags.

Yeah...too much op. A bouncy castle and a few balloons is enough.

You may as well just rented a small soft play - it would've been easier and cheaper.

Coconutter24 · 03/09/2024 15:47

Partydilemma48293 · 03/09/2024 14:54

No refund unfortunately.

I voted to cancel but after reading this if you are going to not a refund of any kind then I’d just have the party. You’ve paid for it anyway so go and have fun with those that do turn up

Dontjudgeme101 · 03/09/2024 15:47

It’s up to the op what she spends on her child’s birthday. I wouldn’t cancel, but see if the children invited want to bring a sibling instead.

Original poster
Partydilemma48293 · 03/09/2024 15:47

Also £100 for a cake!

OP posts:
coxesorangepippin · 03/09/2024 15:47

£1000????

KaToby · 03/09/2024 15:47

Partydilemma48293 · 03/09/2024 15:45

For people saying that £1000 is far too much, we’ve spent:

£180 hall hire
£300 decor and partyware
£100 bouncy castle
£250 giant ball pit with slides

and then food and party bags.

That’s still a hell of a lot of money!
My DD was 5 last week and her party cost £350 for an entertainer (Which also included face painting), hall hire, food and party bags.

crumblingschools · 03/09/2024 15:46

£300 on decor and party ware, really!

GermanBite · 03/09/2024 15:46

Sounds like a better number of kids to me.

My son used to get totally overwhelmed with big parties.

Why have so many declined/ cancelled? Is it far away or at an unusual time of day?

Silvers11 · 03/09/2024 15:46

Oh Dear! £1000 on a party for a 3 year old.Wow!!

As it is non-refundable why cancel? Invite siblings, neighbours, anyone who knows your daughter at all.

And next year, maybe spend a lot, lot less?