To have been confused by 22 turning up to DD's party...

[soandsosmummy]

when I only had 16 acceptances and one of those contacted me earlier in the day to say their dd was ill and couldn't come. That means 7 people who never responded turned up. Obviously they were welcome but just unexpected!

Luckily I'd made 25 party bags and catered for plenty as I always like to have extras for siblings if they turn up at pick up time for example so we had enough but AIBU to have wanted to know in advance?

My poor friend's son's party was today and 9 never turned up and never said they weren't coming. He was rather gutted. I do tend to think if they don't RSVP then they aren't coming. But some people don't get the RSVP thing.

YANBU.

It's common courtesy to let someone know you will be attending so that they can cater properly in whatever way they have to.

Ooh it's annoying isn't it?! My DD1 is only 4 and I've already learned that those who don't respond are more than likely to turn up.

It will continue to happen. Bad manners indeed.

At least your 9 extra party bags didn't go to waste! YANBU but very well prepared!

Oh Groovee your experience is completely the opposite of mine! Guess there's no hard and fast rule

Cheeky beggers

Did any of them apologise for not RSVPing?

No apologies but never mind I think everyone enjoyed it - Dd especially and that's the main thing. Did mean i had no party bags for brothers and sisters at pick up which I normally like to but I'm sure they survived the disappointment!

groovee :(

Sorrry - govee that's really sad.

Our party entertainer told us he did a party last week where they'd prepared for 25 and only 8 turned up and the little boy just sobbed and the parents weren't far off it. He says he sees it all the time- either lots extra or loads missing

I invited about 15 to ds1's 6th birthday party and no-one replied I had to phone and cancel it.

He was a bit of a pain when he first started school, but I felt so bad for him.

hiddenhome :( I think its so wrong parents put a lot of effort into these parties and children really feel it if something like that happens. I hate to say it but it smacks of bullying by the adults involved which is an awful thing

I think a lot of petty politics goes on with these people.

I don't honestly know why the parents can't just send a quick text or email to let people know.

I had one girl turn up after her parents hadn't RSVPd and I didn't have a party bag or a place set for her.

Been to one kids party where all the guests turned up but the girl whose party it was and her mother didn't. We all stood around like lemons then called to ask if we had the right day. The mother had forgotten!!! Or so she claimed.

Slalomsuki.

Just had my DD's party, only invited a few (was at home). I took to asking parents if their child was coming as I didn't want no one to turn up (no one had replied), 3 said yes (2 turned up as 1 was sick, fair dos). One parent said i don't know as might have something else on, have seen her numerous times since and hasn't said anything and didn't turn up. How long does a text to say no, sorry take?

That's awful when hardly anyone turns up :( Think I'll stick to small parties when DS gets to that age!

Won't be asking that particlar child again which is a shame i guess.

We sent out ds's party invitations almost a week ago (16 invitations). So far have had 4 replies (all attending), and one verbal reply via ds to say friend isn't able to attend. Just hope the rest reply before the date (early December).

Hiddenhome - I feel so sorry for your little boy! When I was around 6 or 7 I had a birthday party at home and my mum had done a lovely spread and planned some games for me and my friends. Nobody turned up and it broke my heart. HOWEVER Now when I plan a party I make it the best I can and always look after my guests really well and they talk about it for days afterwards! :-)

when we did dd's party last week we had about 7 people who didnt respond - 1 of them turned up but 2 who said they were coming didnt turn up. I always do extra party bags just in case anyway.

Why does this happen though? I mean, I can understand those who said they would come, then can't at the last minute because of illness etc, but surely most people can let you know beforehand whether they can come or not?

there were quite a few who didn't reply to the invites. one who said they may be able to come didn't but sent a present when they came back to school which was really nice. we had one cancellation on the day as they had double booked. some just won't receive an invite next year as they did not reply to the 2 other party hosts who were having a party about the same time.

You shouldn't have to, but it might be worth texting/facebooking/calling round the non-responders and asking directly. Sometimes people mean to reply and then forget. I never know if it's polite to reply by text/email if I've had an invite in the post and I'm rubbish at remembering to post things Usually go for the text/facebook response as I can do it when I think about it. We've only been invited to close friends' parties so far though so that was okay.

we dont have text/facebook/phone numbers/addresses for the other parents so have to rely on them contacting us unless I can catch them at the school gates (even then I dont know which parent is with which child)

Some of these stories are very This really annoys me - I wouldn't dream of not responding to an invite.

Norman don't hold your breath about everybody responding - DS2's party is next week and I am still waiting for 3 people to respond. I have to confirm numbers with the venue by the middle of next week and have no way of contacting the parents other than via nursery which is not really fair on the nursery staff (in fact, I have no idea who 2 of the parents are so wouldn't know if I saw them in the car park!) Not sure what I am going to do as I don't want to pay for 3 extra places but don't want them to turn up and there not be a place for them...