Cancelled party etiquette

[Jeppajig]

DS (7) was due to go to a classmate‘s birthday party on Tuesday.

I received a message from the mum that due to the bad weather forecast, the party will now be on Saturday (it’s an outdoor event).

DS won’t be able to attend anymore because we are going to a wedding.

I‘ve already bought a small gift for the child. Do we still give it to him? Or keep it for the next birthday child?

DS is not best friends with this boy at all, if that makes a difference.

Sorry title should be postponed party, not cancelled!

I would give him the present still.

Keep it for the next birthday child.

Keep it for the next party. I would only give the gift if my child was good friends with the birthday child.

I would keep it for the next party invite

I'd keep hold of it for a future party. I'm sure they'll have plenty of gifts and won't miss one more. Also, I imagine you're unlikely to see them until school returns, by which point it'll be forgotten about anyway.

I don’t think there’s a right or wrong. If you give the gift anyway I am sure it will be appreciated and don’t think anyone will think it strange, but equallyI don’t think giving a gift is expected or that anybody will think anything of it that you didn’t give a gift. Just do whatever feels right for you.

There’s no right or wrong answer in this situation, just go with your gut.

I'd keep it for the next party.

I'd still give it personally

Give it to the birthday child. It’s not their fault your ds suddenly can’t make it.

It depends how specific the gift is to the child. At that age I just kept a stock of genetic presents suitable for most children, in which case just keep it for the next party. If it's more specifically for a particular interest of theirs, then I would probably give it anyway.

I’d treat it as a brand new party invite, that I accept or decline. I’d only send the present if I accept.

It’s a whole class party so I‘m sure he will get plenty of gifts (not school holidays here).

Because DS doesn’t know this boy well, I just got a generic gift that can easily be saved for the next party. So I‘ll go with that. Thanks for all the replies!