Child's Birthday Party Etiquette

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DD is 3 and started nursery a few months ago, she's been invited to her first 'class' party, well I assume it's a full group invite as she doesn't know the birthday boy (they must attend different times/days)

I'm wondering if it's weird for her go if she doesn't actually know the other child?

It's at a a soft play, would both parents normally go with or is that odd?

I thought about £7 on a gift (there's no twee poem with the invite so I'm assuming there's no gift list ) is that the usual amount?

Yes, she's PFB and yes I'm totally clueless

I probably wouldn't bother if it's a child she doesn't even know. There will be loads of parties in Reception for children she does know.

Yes she can go if she wants to
£7 is fine
Odd is both parents go!! Don’t do this.

No way, why would she go if she doesn't know the child? That would be very weird.
For future parties £7-£10 is fine and always ONE parent attends.

I should have added yes, I'm overthinking this

She's only been to family / friends children's parties before where the situation is different and both parents are expected

I think it would be lovely and there will be other children there she knows.
I think you could get a nice gift for £7-10.
I think both parents attending would be a bit OTT.

I'm wondering if it's weird for her go if she doesn't actually know the other child?

Possibly but it's softplay and there will probably be cake. Also are you sure she doesn't know the birthday boy? Ds 4 still doesn't know the name of everyone in his preschool class.

would both parents normally go with or is that odd

Here I'd say it's about 50/50 partly because when it's softplay parties everyone tends to take all their children and just pay for those not invited so if it's 2/3 or 4 children it's easier with 2 parents.

#5-10 on gift

When dd was small at class parties most parents did seem to go, and stay. All the parents chatted. Gradually reduced how may stayed over a year or too, though we did also ave the odd class parent meet ups as well.

Even if she doesn't know the birthday boy (and she probably does, in fact) she's sure to know some of the other children from the same nursery who'll be there.

One parent with your DD is fine. Two is not a problem per se, it's just not what you usually find.

Hope it's like our circle where there's always coffee and then prosecco for the parents!

If you don't know anyone then taking your partner will be fine.

Do not take your partner....that would be really odd.

If you don't know anyone then taking your partner will be fine

Perfect opportunity to get to know the parents of the other children who will be your child’s friends for the next 7 years

Chances are she does know who the boy is - even if she hasn't grasped all their names. You have many years ahead of her having done nothing when she was there and there being no-one else in the class.

My dd is going to a party on Saturday, I think dh and I will both go, she has just started at the school in yr 3, I don't do the school run (dh does) and how the school does drop off and pick up it is quite hard to meet others so it would be a good opportunity to meet some of the parents and some of the children.

Dh often came with me to parties and still does (dd's are now 6 and 4), a lot of the other Dad's did too and they're all now friends, it's a small village nursery and school so maybe it's different.

They didn't all try and squeeze into the food room though, just one parent.

One parent, £7-10 for the gift is perfect.

Ok, so mixed responses then.

I'll try and find out if she does know the birthday boy, she has been specifically invited so isn't crashing a party or anything

Perhaps I'll suggest that DH goes alone, I don't want to be 'that parent' and be the only ones who turn up as a couple