Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

WIBU to cancel my party?

43 replies

WhyamIBoredathome · 27/09/2017 14:28

I had invited friends over for my birthday on Friday for a drinks and nibbles party. Quite a few people have now dropped out, some for genuine reasons and some for stupid flaky reasons.
I am now left with 4 people who have they are definitely coming and 3 Maybes.
It's hardly a party now with 4 guests, plus the 4 guests are from 3 different groups of friends and don't know each other either.
WIBU to just cancel the party? or does it make me just as flaky as the flaky ones that dropped out?
I'm feeling quite sad about it to be honest, I've been pretty lonely recently and I was so looking forward to seeing all my friends. Sad

OP posts:
category12 · 27/09/2017 15:08

Get the Wii out or Cards against humanity or that sort of thing as ice-breakers and have a laugh. It'll be fun.

GeekyWombat · 27/09/2017 15:10

Big takeaway curry with all the trimmings, enough beer that everyone can have a small glass with food and cards against humanity or something like that to start things off.

Have a lovely birthday OP.

RubyWinterstorm · 27/09/2017 15:10

I would cancel, say you are coming down with a dreadful cold and feeling awful, and will arrange another one later on.

Not proud of this, but I think I would be too proud to have a tiny party with possibly 1 person, and could not bear the "pity" of this one person! Grin

So I would not go ahead, but don't listen to me, listen to all the cool brave MN people on here instead!

Good luck

Excited101 · 27/09/2017 15:10

Sorry op, I would cancel. It could be weird if they don't all know each other and no one will have fun if you all feel awkward about it.

GeekyWombat · 27/09/2017 15:10

Category12 Great minds (crosspost!)

cushioncovers · 27/09/2017 15:14

I'd cancel it.

guilty100 · 27/09/2017 15:20

Noooo, don't cancel - you'll feel miserable. Do it anyway, but have a more intimate evening with food and get everyone to bring loads of booze!

NannyRed · 27/09/2017 15:24

I had a Halloween party organised for last year, about 30 odd folk invited, lots said yes, some had other commitments. Come the weekend of my party they were dropping like flies, either going to another Halloween event with family or firework celebrations with family. Come the weekend of my party I still had about 10/12 people expected (they had said yes) I prepared food, filled a glass urn with homemade sangria, and decorated the house all day and only one other couple arrived. So a big party with only 4 attendees. We had a great time but I will never organise another house party now.

RantyMare · 27/09/2017 15:25

Depending on your knowledge of their finances I wouldn't change to the pub just because people may not have budgeted for it? Especially if they're all driving.

I second cards against humanity, curry/takeaway. If you decide to go ahead. Have you a whatsapp group for rhe party? Or similar ? Maybe add them all to that and ask what they think?

dustarr73 · 27/09/2017 15:36

I would cancel and rearrange for another night.But only ask the people who where going to come.And go to teh pub for a piss up and a some nice food.

Margomyhero · 27/09/2017 15:39

I hate when this happens. I stopped hosting house parties due to flaky invitees. They all say yes to the invitation, then in come the texts. Seems that people find it all too easy to change their minds - it is very rude.

In your position I would message each person and say that you are planning a more cosy evening -the takeaway idea is good. Maybe phrase it as asking for any dietary requirements/preferred type of takewaway. That way you are firming up their attendance and letting them know what type of a party it will actually be.

carjacker1985 · 27/09/2017 15:43

YABU for your comments about women.

But you should go ahead anyway.

waterrat · 27/09/2017 15:46

If you cancel you are effectively telling your friends that they aren't the ones you really wanted to come.

It would be rude and unfair. i think the curry and beer idea is lovely...just warn them that you have had lots cancel and can they pleAse make sure they are coming!

UserThenLotsOfNumbers · 27/09/2017 16:11

I agree with what Waterrat says.

Original poster
WhyamIBoredathome · 27/09/2017 16:35

Unfortunately pub is not an option as kids will be upstairs. And the blokes are indifferent about pubs if they are drinking and therefore can't sample the beer Wink

OP posts:
Original poster
WhyamIBoredathome · 27/09/2017 16:43

I think I am going to cook something - will just do a tapas type thing, I've already got ideas for a dinner with OH mates who are visiting soon.
There is only one curry house where I live and it's not very good, and we're too far out for justeat type things.
I just hope that more people don't back out once they realise it's not going to be a big party after all.
I wanted all my guests to come equally as much - it's not like I had some I wanted more than others. It's just that I've invited people to a party and now it isn't one and it's embarrassing to be honest.

OP posts:
Winteriscomingneedmorewood · 27/09/2017 16:47

Yabu to not have opened the invites to mners!!
Your house would have been jammed full I am sure!!

RantyMare · 27/09/2017 17:30

Good point! Where are you OP and what time Wink ?

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread