To cancel DDs party this Sunday?

Don't cancel go ahead with the party and I bet your DD and her friends will have an amazing time and Is there any children within your family or friends that you could invite to get the numbers back up,if so I'd think about doing that.

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.

I'll come OP!
I think you've taken a bit of a battering about the cost, but that wasn't your question (gotta love MN!).

Please continue with the party and I hope they all have a wonderful time.

From experience OP prepare for a few last minute attendees or uninvited siblings!

Don't cancel! Others may decide to turn up last minute. I'm sure they'll still have fun even with fewer participants than previously anticipated

9 kids... plus your DD, will be plenty, and chances are several will bring a sibling (particularly if you tell their parents they are welcome to!)

25... would be overwhelming and in all honestly your kid is NOT going to know the difference.

So if you cancel, you're cancelling because YOU think 9 kids isn't enough, not for your childs actual benefit.

Which seems a bit dumb. Are you worried the photos will look a bit sparse, I can't imagine what else would really matter?!

Of course it's bonkers but it's done... the kids will have a ball but go right against all MN rules and invite sibling's... better still, if you have neighbours you haven't got to know but have kids between the right age then here is a great opportunity for a bit of community largesse.. and maybe new friends ! ?

It’s rude to the 9 guests to cancel 🤷‍♀️

I’m in Cheshire. None of the local soft plays charge £60 per head for a party. Max you’re looking at is £30 a child and if you do a weekday party it’s a lot less than that

Honestly none of that sounds like it won't work or won't be fun with a small number of kids. Like if you won't get your money back then I don't see any point in cancelling. Let the kids that come have fun. Yes if you could get refunds for most of it, by all means, cancel and find something much cheaper for the 9 that are coming, but as you can't get the money back, what's the point?!

Then why would you cancel? Might as well go ahead and enjoy it, take this as a lesson for future birthdays not to spend so much

Don’t cancel , 🤞🏻nobody else drops out . Do you know any others that you could invite that missed the first cut ?

It is no one else’s business how much the OP spends. Just go ahead as planned and have a lovely time.

I’m close to Cheshire and I feel like I know exactly which softplay you mean!

10 is loads of people for their 3rd birthday, it can actually all be quite overwhelming for them on the day. I’d prefer 10 to 25!

I'd open it up to siblings to fill the space, throw in some Prosecco and you've got yourself a good party as all the adults will stay. Whats the reason for so many drop outs at that age..? I'm curious as most new parents at that stage are keen to interact and go to all the parties on offer.

So given that you’ve told us how much everything cost, I imagine this was a really big deal for you. Firstly, I’m sorry it’s not gone to plan - drop outs are very common with children’s parties, but this is a much higher number than you’d reasonably anticipate! Secondly, I think the cake and decor prices were too much, and given that they’re 3 you could have got away with just a bouncy castle or ball pit. Three year olds aren’t exactly known for their appreciation of decorations, and you could have got a tray bake cake from Tesco for a lot less.

Go ahead with the party, this is an exciting thing for your family, everyone else is really just along for the ride. You’ll have nice memories of your daughter.

I don't buy it.

No one is dropping £1000 on a 3 year olds birthday and talking about cancelling and losing all that because not enough people appreciated it... this is one of those goady type threads.

Even without the unnecessary money mention, no cancelling would be rude to the 9 kids attending... basically say 'you lot aren't good enough on your own'.

I have hosted parties for a decade and a half and anywhere from 8-22 guests is pretty standard I have found (tends to be highest in reception year and lower from about year 3 on as kids develop more specific interest and friend groups).

If the point of the party is to bring pleasure to your DD why would you cancel? She will have just as good a time with 9 guests as 19. If not better - my DD was totally overwhelmed by the 14 or so guests at her 5th party. My strongest memory of the day is carrying her out of the garden while she wailed 'Make them all go home!!' She is 30 now and still prefers smaller events. Loves a balloon arch though but we do them for £30/40 from Amazon.

Re venue hire, our local village hall is £12.50/hr for a very nice hall and kitchen.

You have to clean up yourself or face a surcharge, but still, you could probably have it for 3 hrs and pay for a clean for sixty quid....

Why shouldn’t the OP spend what she can afford on her child’s 3rd birthday? Too many opinions here about the cost when it’s no one’s business.

Seriously, why?

Were you this ridiculous for her 1st and 2nd birthdays as well?

9 or 10 children is absolutely plenty for a 3rd birthday. 25 would have been too many. You’ve spent the money so now enjoy it!

Jesus,what decor have you bought for £300???

Don't cancel buy extend the invitation to siblings of guests, cousins, neighbours kuds etc. You might as well get your money's worth.