To want to organise a last minute party for 4 year old

[GirlsAndPenguins]

That’s pretty much it!
DD is 4 in a couple of weeks. I’d thought of a party but kept changing my mind. Mainly due to cost having just finished mat leave and eye watering childcare. DD said she wanted one but listed 3 kids (all our neighbours) she wanted to invite. So we eventually decided to just book a soft play, invite our friends and their kids (DD doesn’t know them too well) and the requested neighbours (also our friends) to the soft play. Not a party as such, just pay for us all to go in together. We probably still sing happy birthday etc.
DD has 38 children in her nursery class. Up until last week she hadn’t been invited to any parties. This week she’s been invited to 3!
I’m now having major Mum guilt for not doing a class party. I think when she goes to the first tomorrow she will request one.
Should I try to throw one together and get the invites out on Monday?
Any tips if I do?
Don’t think DH would be best pleased 😬.
I always had big parties as a kid so feel bad I’m not giving my children what my parents gave me.
DH said we can do a big party next year.
AIBU to do this so last minute?

Nope :) don’t do it your current plan sounds perfectly fine. It’s the last minute overthinking happening.

Stick to the plan and wait until she's in school.

This is 100% what it is 😂

This was also my thought. At the moment she’s at a school nursery out of catchment. I’ve been told she’s got a decent chance of getting in but no guarantee. So at least by next year I’ll know the children will be ones she will be attending school with for the foreseeable future.

Stick to the plan! It's still a party and if ice read your OP correctly it involves all the children she actually wants there.

Does soft play have a table area where you can do a cake?

Don't change your plans. If you want to invite a couple of friends from nursery to the soft play you can but you need to draw a line. Tbh at that age their 'best' friends may not be the ones inviting everyone to a big party so don't get tangled in reciprocating.

I had a similar panic for DD but just booked an official soft play party so max 10 kids, no stress but it felt like a 'proper' party for her.

We did the BIG party in reception whcih is when most kids have them round here