DS September birthday party - dilemma

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DS is having a 6th birthday party at home the end of the third week of term in September. We've never had a party for him before so I asked his teacher what to do re: invitations.

She said they could hand invitations out to his class before the summer break, but that they will mix up the two forms next year so it wouldn't be the same kids and some might feel left out if half of his new form are invited and not the other half. Or we could do first day back but I am worrying not enough notice and no one will come. Then I thought to ensure no one is left out we could invite BOTH forms, but then we could end up with loads of kids - possibly more than we could handle as novice birthday party throwers!!

Would handing them out just to his class on the first day back, the 4th, be enough notice for the 21st or 22nd? If you were me, would you scramble to get invitations out before the end of the summer term, or wait for the first day back?

I'd invite his friends. Regardless of who is in what class. I'd give out the invites bef hols but send a reminder via text or whatever when school goes back.

That’s plenty of notice. Tbh, even if the classes remained the same after the holidays; the invitation would be long forgotten about for most of the them if given out before summer break.

I'd send them out on the first day back personally.

No I’d wait. People might forget if asked so far in advance. Are you planning on inviting the whole class or just a few friends? If the latter then do it outside of school. Don’t do invites at school unless you are inviting everyone.

I agree with PP, that's plenty of time.i would wait till the 4th.

We want to invite the whole class, just a dilemma as to whether to invite this year's class or next year's. But sounds like first day back is the way to go.

While you're all here, any strong feelings as to Saturday vs Sunday birthday parties and what time to have it? It will be in our garden so we can do any time.

Plenty of notice to do at the start of term.

Also, I'd not hand them out on the first day as there's too much going on and they might get overlooked. Wait until the 3rd day or so.

If it's at home how many are you planning on inviting? Having done at home ones for that age, I'd personally say that less is more, and make it 90 mins max if it is a DIY party.

DD birthday about the same time. We always did invited in the first week back. Most people don't plan stuff in Sept as it's so close to the long summer hols. Luckily she's a teen now so it's much simpler!

It's a class of around 23 so if everyone turns up, plus a few other friends, we might have 30 which looks like a lot. We do have a big garden but I will have to draft in family to help...!

90 mins sounds doable! We went to one a few weeks ago which was about 3 hours at a trampoline place and that was definitely too long.

I would wait until the beginning of new term.
Do they not find out before the end of term who will be in their class? So you will have an idea of who you would invite.

Maybe invite boys only?
Or his closest friends.

That’s plenty of notice send the invitations the first day back

Yep send on fist day back, and I would let any important friend’s parents know before hand if you can. Just a text or word at drop off.
I.e. DS is having a birthday party on x date, invitations will go out after the holidays but as your DS is a good friend I am letting you know now as we would really love your DS to come along ‘

I'd send invitations a few days after start of term (not first day). If you want to invite the whole class his form teacher may provide you with a list of names for invitations. You could invite any particular friends he has from the other class. I've never done a party that lasts less than 2 hours, 90 mins seems a bit short to me.

I honestly wouldn't have such a big party given the class dynamics.
5 friends and a cinema trip with pizza after.

If you are prepping yourself, eg wrapping presents for pass the parcel, making cake, and work then I’d go for Sunday. I always did 11-1. Games from 11 to about 12, then lunch, then time for a game or two afterwards. I say games but we mostly just had various outdoor toys, tents, small bouncy castle, ride on cars etc out in the garden and the kids amused themselves quite well. But it’s good to have a few up your sleeve especially in case of bad weather. I’d say the whole class is too many though especially as many (most) parents will want to stay too at that age. We did traditional formula of age of birthday child plus one.