To cancel DDs party this Sunday?

Please don't cancel, your DD will still enjoy it!

This!!

Blimey.. round here (south east) they charge £10-£15 per child.

Defo go ahead, invite siblings, have a lovely time. My kids do in fact still remember their 3rd birthday parties

I’m also in Cheshire but admittedly not the posh end. I have organised many soft play and similar parties and the usual budget has been £2-300

Why are people so flakey these days?

DD only had 4 kids people at her 4th birthday. I'd invited most of the class at nursery, and like you we had a hall, bouncy castle, food etc.

Do you know what? She had a ball!! 5 kids in total was plenty for her.

It'll be great, go for it!

(And come back here next year before her birthday to find out ways to have a cheaper party, we'll help!)

£300 on decor?! For a three year old?! Is it gold plated?!?

YABU to cancel if its not going to make you any money back. 9 kids is fine for the things you've described, will probably be better with less kids anyway! Let them have the party and just chalk it up to experience

We can't all live in Trumpton. It's green belt.

£1000 on a party for a 3 year old is just silly but you have done it, if you can't get a refund just invite anyone you know and have a good knees up.

Who spends 250 on balloons? It is obscene.

I'm surprised that with 2 weeks to go people have already cancelled, can't put it down to illness so at the very least, had it of been me, I'd give you a good valid reason for doing so.

I really hate this attitude that it's not worth bothering with doing things with small children because they won't remember it.

This will make an impression on your DD and the other children. TBH if there are only 10 it will be less crowded and they will maybe enjoy it more.

When he was about that age, a bit older maybe, we took DS to à Thomas day at a local steam railway. He had the absolute best day, he loved every minute of it. Does he remember it now? Of course not. But these experiences and sensations are registered by young children and contribute to the formation of new synapses in the brain. Things like this are vital for brain development in fact. Of course they are worth doing.

Go for it and have a great party OP.

Thats a HUGE amount of money on a 3yo. As is £100 on a cake.
Spending such a lot when shes so little is setting a precedent for more and more expensive birthdays in the future.
When my eldest was 3...........his birthday "do" cost £30. Admittedly that was 20 years ago but still. Approx 6-8 kids and all of them had a marvellous time. 3yo really dont care about expensive frills (unless you teach them they are necessary)
Id go ahead as you've already spent so much - but invite anyone and everyone who might want to come. More fun for all then.
And scale down massively next year.

Don’t even worry about that OP, I’ve gone completely OTT for parties where we only invited 5 cousins. It’s fun to do and fun for the birthday child!

Next year, remember that 4 year olds will be happy with a simple party at home. And 9 or 10 guests is a good number. Loads of stuff online you can put in goody bags, and splurge on a special cake.

Don’t you love how everyone fixates on one detail, in this case spending more than they would/think you should, and don’t answer the question. Granted I’ve just transferred a rather large amount of money for my youngest child’s first birthday party so may be biased.
I would not cancel! 9 is a good amount still and will probably be more relaxing for you. If you want more ie for party favors that you’ve already paid for etc you could invite siblings of the current guests.

Don't cancel - it sounds great. Invite more kids, siblings and friends. Have a lovely time, OP.

So why cancel? Invite anyone else you can think of. Are you worried about how it will look to other parents? It shouldn't be about what they think if so. You mentioned you live in Cheshire and that others have nice parties. Well, this can still be a lovely party, but please don't think you need to be spending this amount of money for a 3 year old. As others have said, fewer children is better at that age anyway. I hope it goes well.

And beautifully put by @ilovepixie :

“ilovepixie · Today 16:21
That's £1000 spent locally and some will be smaller businesses. That's exactly how we should spend do our society doesn't go to pot. Not jetting away as some are suggesting.
I'm glad you aren't cancelling and I agree about trying to round up some more children to go.”

“Dollmeup · Today 17:06
Don't cancel, you might get some who still rsvp really close to the time. 9 is still a decent number for a party but I'd contact the parents and ask if they would like to bring siblings too. Mine are close in age so would happily go along even if they don't actually know the kid and it actually makes things easier as I don't have to arrange alternative childcare for the other one.”

This with bells on.

Ah that is such a shame so many have cancelled!

Unfortunately you can guarantee that at least 1/ 2 will on the day - I usually find 10% do. So annoying