To cancel DS’s birthday?

[Cloud9889]

So I have a birthday party for my DS booked- small soft play centre. However I have messaged other parents early with invites as I want to confirm numbers in as it’s in school holidays. So far only 4 people have said they can come (invited 29 - whole class) about 10 so far are away and rest no response yet. I’m worried it’s gonna be a crap party for him If only a few kids show up!! Tempted to cancel - what should I do?!!

How far away is the date...when is it booked for? In my experience people are crap at RSVPing. It's utterly bizarre but they just don't.

Often they will respond a few days prior to the party...or just turn up without ever responding.

If 4 have responded, you will get more. I would message again a week before to try to galvanise them into committing. It's a rude habit and I hate it.

It's really common not to reply then turn up anyway or even to say you can't make it and still turn up. Very rude behaviour but I would guarantee there will be lots of folk who do this, for a whole class party quite possibly 5-10 people.

I ring or speak to the folk who don't reply which helps a bit.

Cancel and re-book for Sept.

Please don't cancel, go ahead and have the party.

I really, really don't get this attitude of not replying. So rude, no matter how busy you are, how long does it take to send a text message? I agree with PP you will get some more replies nearer the date and some people turning up (with younger siblings!) on the day.

Cancel the softplay and have it at home.
That way it will matter far less how many turn up and you won't feel so bad if there are few, because it won't have cost you.
But if you can't have it at home, can you do it at the park instead, or somewhere else that won't be a per capita cost?

Send another message saying "I have only heard back from 4 people. Please can you let me know whether your child will be attending, as we will have to cancel the party if only 4 people can come!"

Dont mention about rebooking in September because if that's more convenient some people might say they're unavailable when in fact they are.

If anyone doesnt respond at all, don't let them know whether the party gets cancelled or not. If they can't do you the common courtesy of spending 1 minute replying to a text they can have the noisy of chasing you to find out if the party is going ahead.

Honestly, most people spend all day attached to their phones. How long does it take to send a message saying "sounds good, Jack will be the re"?

My child's birthday is in the summer holidays and we always do the party either before we break up or immediately after, for this very reason. For a party deep within the summer holidays people are either away or not sure of their plans so unwilling to commit. My advice is go ahead as planned this year, but don't do it in the holidays next year - either go before you break up if it's a July birthday or immediately on return in September if an August one. Contact the people who haven't replied individually to ask them if they can make it. If some are uncertain either way at the moment then make an educated guess with the numbers to the venue. If you are slightly under as the date approaches, then invite selected siblings if you want to.

Did you ask people to RSVP by a certain date? When is the party?

I share your frustration. Several people didn’t bother to reply to their invites to my son’s last birthday party. It was at home so not as tricky to manage as yours but still very rude. Some just turned up anyway and others didn’t. It’s always very awkward when you run into the parents knowing they’ve left their invitation in limbo. How hard is it to reply with “Can’t make it, sorry.”

But don’t cancel on account of those rude people. Just downsize and scratch the non-replies off your list for next time.

Be prepared to not have many if the weather is nice and shitloads if it’s raining.