To cancel DDs party this Sunday?

This is crazy!! Like madness how much you’ve spent… £300 on decor and party wear?! Which consists of what?!
why would you cancel if you can’t get a refund?!

this is exactly what I was going to say.

OP asked if she should cancel the party, not whether she had spent too much. If spending that amount and having those specific decorations and activities brings her joy and doesn't bankrupt the family, then good for her! Birthday parties for little ones are for the parents - hope you have a great time, OP!

If you won’t get your money back you may as well crack on and I hope you and your little one have a lovely time.

I’d also say so what that it’s a lot of money. Could you spend it on more practical stuff, yes, but it’s your money, it’s doing no one any harm and will hopefully result in a great experience for your daughter and lots of happy memories for you.

Certainly don't cancel, you've already spent the money, so just enjoy the party. As others have said let people know they can bring siblings and just have a great time.

This is a perfect number . They will have a much better time. Don’t cancel

Aw that's such a shame op, don't cancel, message the ones who are coming and let them know there's been cancellations so siblings welcome etc. Hopefully you'll all have a fab time!

Top tip…if you go for soft play in future…..don’t include a party host to play games or any crafts…..all kids want to do at soft play is run round like crazy ….eat……run round like crazy again then go home….another waste of money

Can you invite the brothers / sisters of the children who are attending?

I find it very odd why 70% would cancel on a party that clearly looks like a banger?! Even taking the usual illnesses into account, it's not that soon into the nursery year and still too warm for so many to fall ill. How well do you know the other families and do they have contact with each other? Is there any kind of reason why so many would drop out on short notice (social? political?)

It's a large amount to be spending on a 3 year old but those big parties are usually fantastic fun. So parents should be falling over themselves to attend. There seems to be some info missing to the story as it's very odd why so many would decline unless they barely know you or have reasons to not want to associate with you.

The three year old probably won't remember much but if everything is paid for then it makes sense to go ahead. Friends, cousins, siblings etc as replacement guests.

Sorry but there’s no way a soft play party can be £60 per child .. unless you’re adding in all your balloons and extras?

Who fucking cares how much she has spent? She can afford it, clearly.

I'd still have the party @Partydilemma48293 - invite anyone you know to fill out the gaps.

Such bad manners for people to just cancel on you.

Seriously? Where on earth is that. Your average soft play party where I am is around £15 a head!!

Nine is plenty for a 3 year year old. I don't see why you would invite more at this stage just for the sake of it. Smaller parties are usually much more enjoyable and less work! Siblings might be a nice gesture.

@Partydilemma48293 Accepting an invitation and cancelling without good reason is rude.
Of course you keep the party!
It sounds like it will be great with fab decorations. 😍
Just remember who cancelled and be wary about extending invites to them in future.
I'd also advise to either invite a lot, but expect half (or less) to show and not really care who does/doesn't, or invite only those who always keep their word.
A thank you note for "gift/making the day special" to the attendees would be a nice touch as well (group mssg is fine).

Gawd, OP didn’t ask whether she’d been U to spend a grand on a party - she’s said it was daft but can clearly afford it so people can stop getting their knickers in a twist.

Yes, should def go ahead if you can’t get a refund - round up the troops!

That is obscene! What on earth did you get for that?
My son had a soft play part this year and it was £11 per head! I did nothing but turn up with a cake and party bags and the kids loved it l. I got to drink coffee and catch up with the other parents.

Try that, or bowling next year!

Agree. It also depends on where you are in the country. Some places there are limited venues and they cost a lot.

I remember my third birthday party (first one I remember) and my 6 year old still talks about his 3rd birthday party (first proper one we did for him).

It is awful so many people have pulled out close to the day, but 9 is a good amount for a party.

OP ignore those berating you! It’s your money spend it how you like, I spend around the same on DDs, it’s adds up so quickly but I was so happy with the finished product as was she and all her little friends.

Does she go to nursery? You could ask the staff if there’s any new starters and extend the invite to them but im sure she’ll have a fab day with the guests she has!

Cost is relative, spend what you can afford. I don’t see why you wouldn’t go ahead for a party of 10 though? That’s about average for a 3yr old’s birthday unless they go to a massive nursery, but surely the class sizes are still relatively small.

Unless you are spending £10 on each balloon (the original price per head of a child), then I think you should possibly rethink. Balloons are so wasteful, a biodegradable one per child is more than enough, I know they bring joy. An arch/roomful of balloons for a 3yr old is wasteful, and in my opinion (which I am sure you won’t care about!), tacky and cheap.

But, I’m aware that I live in a north London eco/champagne socialist/hippy bubble, so completely not your demographic!! Your culture might be different by the sounds of it, but I still don’t think I could justify the waste.

So have the party,then!

Surely the party is for your child, not the other kids.

Go ahead and enjoy the fact that there are a lot less kids and more space.

9 kids sharing a bouncy castle is way better than 25.

It’s a shame but I think your child will enjoy themselves more with less people.