To cancel DDs party this Sunday?

[Partydilemma48293]

DD is 3 and we’re having a party for her in 2 weeks time. Have spent about £1000 on venue hire, entertainment etc.

Originally had 25 kids confirmed as coming and this has now dropped down to 9.

Should we cancel?

IABU - no don’t canxel
YANBU - cancel

A soft play venue we used in outer London is £18 per head for a party with food etc for 2 hours.

Tell the parents of the 9 children who will be going they are welcome to bring siblings..it will make the numbers up and they won't stress about childcare.

£1000? Are you sure you’ve not been overcharged? That’s a lot for a 3 year old, I don’t even remember being 3. I have a faint memory of eating wotsits.

We had a 2 Yr birthday party for 11 a few weeks ago. Cost about £250 all in.
Exclusive soft play, it was fabulous. Had space for more but didn't matter.
If you've spent the money, have the party anyway. Invite random kids like a neighbour you don't speak to or friend of friend if you want a few more there.

Have fun.
We did it bc my DH has ongoing health issues and we want to remember some good times.

Probably not cheap, but the second part...depends on ones definition of tacky
And why one are prepared to fork out ridiculous money for a party neither the birthday person or their guests will remember

1k on a 3 year old’s party is insane, she likely won’t even remember it… Obviously don’t cancel because that would be throwing 1k in the bin but in future try to remember that children really don’t need lavish birthday parties…

Maybe I missed the update. Jesus calm down. What difference does it make? Parts of Cheshire can be as expensive as London. Lots of affluent people live in Cheshire. My argument still stands - I’m sure this is normal in some parts of Cheshire. I’m sure she’s been to other kids parties. I’m sure she knows the 3 year old won’t remember it and that’s not the point.

The point is it’s her money and £1k to her might be the equivalent of £100
to others. It’s all relative. And no she shouldn’t cancel.

how do you know 25 kids to invite?! or is it nursery class kids? I only know the names of 3 of the kids my 2 years old play with...

All these balloon arches and balloon sculptures just end up in the bin too! I spent £40 on my daughter’s fancy balloon sculpture for her 13th and felt that was pushing the boat out! £300 seems crazy, gonna assume it’s for instagram pics which means nothing to a toddler.

I'm not going to gripe at you for spending £1000 like others as it's none of my business and I do the same with my daughter over 2 parties (although I couldn't afford more than £1000 as I have to save for it) and she wants a party Hamley's so she's not having one next year but the year after we will have Hamley's.

I wouldn't cancel it, it won't look like many people in a hall but parents will be there at that age I'd imagine so I wouldn't worry about that, my daughter has 20 at her 4th birthday party and it was almost like it was TWO busy, her first birthday party had around 10 children including her but a bunch of parents just made it feel busy and the kids have fun, even if everyone came honestly they wouldn't all play together they'd go off with in little groups especially if their little bestie is there! I really don't think she'd notice one jot ❤️. Just have fun! It'll be great!

I definitely wouldn’t cancel as that would be unfair to your child and the children who are coming!!

My 3 year olds party is this afternoon and with my child we have 12-14 children coming (12 have confirmed so it could be either 12 or 14). I have paid for 20 children but I know that 12-14 will be plenty and they will hopefully all have a great time!!

As for the cost I spent:
£115 on the venue which includes a bouncy castle and loads of toys to play with
£180 for someone to come do an hour of an activity
£19 for the cake
£48 for the party food
Then maybe around £50-£60 on party bags, candles for the cake, balloons, decorations, boxes for the food and an outfit for my child to wear
So it will have all cost around £410-£440 and I thought that was a lot!!

Don't cancel, unless you can afford to just chuck away that kind of money.
Invite others, extend to siblings, family of yours? Would be a shame for it to go to waste now, no?

£1k is a lot of money, for that age.. tbf none of my 3 DC have ever had a party costing more than £150. And now my eldest two are at their ages, they usually pick 1 or 2 friends to just go bowling with, cinema etc or we do a day out as a family. I refuse to spend any more than I have done previously!

How did the party go @Partydilemma48293 ? Did you get any siblings attending to boost the numbers?