Birthday party - how many kids to invite!!!

[NigelsNipple]

DD has in reception and for her birthday I have booked a church hall and organised an entertainer.
At school there are 2 classes of 30 children, a good mix of boys, girls and different cultures. I was going to invite DD only class. However DH suggested maybe I should invite the other class too. In total this would be 60 invites going out. Its doubtful that they could all attend, then of course the usual non rsvp-ers, and the ones who don't show.... But it seems a lot and now I'm not sure if DH is right or unreasonable (or if thats me?)!! But I dont know what to do! Please help!

I think 30 if you can mange it is perfect. When dd was in reception whole class parties were the norm as friendship groups hadn't really had time to develop properly but be warned attendance was always really good so expect close to 30 with parents and a couple of siblings where parents don't have any other childcare

I’ve never done a whole class party we’ve always invited friends and had about 15. I wouldn’t invite the other class unless your DD has specific friends from there. 60 is crazy. Plus you’ll probably get parents turn up with uninvited siblings because there are always some CFs out there.

Definitely No to 60 and yes check the limit with your entertainer, 30-40 quite common. What Starlight456 said if there is lot of free flow between classes as your DD may have friends in both classes or her class only if not. I have only done one whole class party a few years ago and vowed never again. I tend to set a budget and max number of guests and invite kids my DC want at their party.

We've never done a whole class party, simply because DD wasn't friends with alot of them and probably wouldn't want them there!

I think DH suggested both classes because the hall is big and it wouldn't cost much more (other than party bags) and it was "being fair". Plus she does have some friends in the other class she went to preschool with. He also said that there will be declines and no shows so that means it won't be 60 that eventually come. But I agree with you all and I feel so much better now that I don't feel obliged to invite everyone! I think I will invite most of her class and her friends from the other class and see how it goes....