To send invitation for 8th party happening mid-Jan?

I would send early December so that they don't get lost in the pile of Christmas letters and cards etc later in the month

You're not asking them to block it out, you're giving them a heads-up that it's happening in case they want to block it out.

And always better to over-plan these things than under-plan. Better an eye-roll from some parents who think you're a bit OTT than a party with very few attendees and a disappointed birthday child.

I check with the parents of my DC's closest friends that the date is probably going to be ok before booking. Of course, things do still come up, that's life. But if a quick message can avoid issues, send it.

I already know the inset days for June, I have to book dentist appointments months in advance, sports festivals and performance are already organised for spring, I don't even understand how people manage without a calendar.

No way would I want to remember to remember about things, I read about them, write them down and forget about them, easy 😂

Far too soon, send in Dec by class book bag/post plus a text to the parents, then a chaser text in early Jan.

I have been in this situation before and I sent a Save The Date, but made it clear I was not expecting RSVPs ("Invitation to follow in early Jan, no RSVPs necessary yet" though phrased slightly more elegantly).

There are certain children's parties (good friends) that my DC would be really hacked off to miss. I appreciate lots of notice because then I can avoid booking family stuff like weekends away on those days. If making the date known early avoids a silly clash with, e.g. a dentist's appointment, then it's worth it.

Children's parties might be quite low on my priority list but they are not low on my DC's, which pushes them up mine if I don't want a disappointed child on my hands. We try not to miss them if possible, but it's sometimes a jigsaw puzzle to fit everything in and the more notice, the better.

doesn't have to be a card, a quick heads up on whatsapp works just as well.

I imagine they are using digital calendars, or academic ones.

I do have a calendar on my phone and do use it, but prefer (and actually take notice of) the wall calendar.
The odd 2026 commitment (dental, performance) gets scrawled at the bottom of Dec 2025 until I get my new 2026 one.

Because your talking 3 months away thats quarter of a year away. I can't commit to that 2 weeks I can

I’m so impressed with everyone who already has a 2026 calendar/ diary up and running.

A save the date card followed up by a full invitation for an 8 year old’s party? Bit extreme.

The problem is that so far ahead things can come up that take priority over a classmate’s birthday party. I would take a save the date approach to let them know about the party then send firm invites nearer the time. If I’d been sent a kids birthday party invite in October I would not have rsvp’d until nearer the time

I do.. School and clubs calendars have most days already planned and booked!
I am not even talking about my own social life , my kids have a better one😂

That's the whole point, I don't know what I am doing, if the day is free, I write down the invitation, and done. How else do you organise anything?

It's not even an invitation, just a warning the party is booked for that day. I'd be grateful for the warning.

No its far far too soon. About a month before is early enough

Unless they are suddenly sick, WHY couldn't they suddenly not go?

Again, if there are risk of sport or clubs activity, I warn or decline if I have to RSVP. Otherwise, it's booked, noted and I can forget about it until the beginning of the month when I have a look at what is planned.

Chances of us going on last minute holiday during school term are very very low (sadly 😂)

2026 🤣

I don't even have a 2025 diary yet. WAY too soon to send invites. It's 3 months away.

As they all be friends for 3 or 4 years I presume the parents know each other fairly well at this stage. Isn't it likely that it'll come up in conversation.
e.g. when one of the older ones have a party in the coming weeks, you'd maybe mention that you've already booked the venue for your DS.

i.e. if this is a close friendship group they may well just find the date out organically.

This is what I would do too.

Because i would hate to say they're coming and the mum pays for their space and then they can't go. If im asked with only a couple of weeks to go i will be fairly aware of whats happening and less likely to mess people about

I totally agree with this. Yes, it’s early but if things were getting booked up well in advance, it’s totally reasonable to book now, and parents can put it on their diaries loosely, with a view to a proper RSVP in December

I never understand that attitude.

I personally couldn't care less about an 8 yo party but when my kid get an invit or a heads up, I ask my child and put it in the family calendar if they're interested.

If the chances are that it will clash with a sport tournament of some kind, I decline there and then if I must RSVP so early.

if it's in the calendar, I don't accept similar invitations for that day.

How can it be such a ridiculous big deal? it's easy.

so basically, yes, waiting to see if something better comes along 😂

give a heads up to parents; xyz booked for birthday on that date, will send invitations much closer to the date.

Most people will put it in their calendar and frankly be grateful for the warning. You might have a few: might not be available because of football/dance..competitions but don't know dates yet.

At least, it prevents them from accepting another similar party invitation if they already have yours down.

I have no idea what I’m doing in January and definitely would not be committing to a child’s party now. 2 weeks notice, 3 at a push for a party is all that’s needed. It’s not a case of waiting to see if something better comes along, but I would have your child’s party quite low on my list of priorities.