To expect replies for sons party invites

[nerfqueen]

Its ds birthday party this weekend and where he is having it there is a minimum booking for ten kids. We sent the invites out to nine people with a reply by date. Five have replied. We have since sent out four more with two replying.

Aibu to expect people to let us know if their children can attend? The invites were handed out in the morning before school started so parents were aware off them so none left in bottom of book bags and not been found.

I don't know how many party bags to prepare, I would presume only for those who replied. However, another mum was telling me this morning that she sent out 20 invites had 10 replies but 15 turned up!!

It's maddening and so rude. I always respond to invitations straight away, whether we can attend or not. Last year I spent a long time chasing those who hadn't replied to my son's invitation. Some had to be chased several times! Unbelievable...

I gave up on birthday 'parties' for precisely this reason. My DC now have one or two friends for a movie evening, dinner and sleepover. I never did party 'bags' because I think they're horrendously tacky, but we always give a party favour of some kind as guests leave, usually a small toy, a book or toiletry with the obligatory piece of cake wrapped in a napkin. This doesn't work out any more expensive than the plastic bag bonanza of crap, generally...