About RSVPs and Child's party

[catgirl1976]

DS is going to be 5. He's having a Mad Science party.

It's a fixed cost for up to 20 children and then extra per child above that. I've also decided to go with their party bags.

I've invited 36 children (whole class plus some non-school friends). I did umm a bit about inviting the whole class but DS has only just started school so it's not like he's at the stage where he's got a "core" of friends and I didn't want to leave anyone out)

Obviously I've been praying that they won't ALL be able to come, otherwise it will be very expensive.

However, I sent out written invitations that requested an RSVP to my mobile or e-mail by the 21st of October so I would know final numbers for the Mad Science people, party bags and food.

Of the 36 invited, only 23 have responded. 19 can come and 4 can't.

So what am I supposed to do about the 13 non-respondents?

Do I just go, great there's 19 coming, that's not too expensive and I don't have to pay for any extras.

But what if they just haven't bothered to RSVP and turn up and then I'm faced with disappointed 4 and 5 year olds who have no food and no party bag (and I get lumped with an unexpected bill for the extra children?) It's not their fault their parents are rude and don't reply :(

Or do I go mid-way and pay for say 25 children (assuming about half of those who haven't reply might turn up)

Or do I send a reminder to the ones that haven't replied (That feels a bit pushy and I don't really want all 13 to come as it pushes the price up but if they said they were I'd do it obviously)

It's not an insignificant cost. It's an extra £8 per child past the 20 mark and £3.99 for a party bag. (Plus food on top)

I don't want to shell out extra money when people can't be bothered to reply but I'm worried about children turning up and there being nothing for them. I appreciate maybe some invitations are languishing at the bottom of school bags but honestly - how hard is it to send a text saying yes or no?

AIBU to be a bit fecked off and what do I do re numbers?

It sounds like it will be a fab party. Unfortunately you will soon get used to the world if inconsiderate parents and the nightmare of trying to organise parties! I find this so annoying too. From my experience, many replies tend to come on the final few days before the party, and it's always the same offenders every year who either respond too late or not at all.

Personally, I would negotiate with the party organisers to pay now for the confirmed children, then pay for extras on the day. You will get non responders who will turn up, and while it's incredibly rude of the parents, it's not fair to turn children away. I'd bring a few extra party bags and if you have any left over, you could give them to siblings of friends etc.

When this thread comes up - often there'll be a few indignant posters who feel they are too busy to grace invitations with a timely response - they are likely the same type you are dealing with now.

I'd taken the leaving out the venue thing as a joke! Surely no one does this really?!

I wouldn't say that siblings can come. You might end up with loads of extra kids that your child doesn't even know. I'd put a note on the reminder to say that you can't accommodate siblings.