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

Because I can afford to and I thought it would be nice.

You can buy 100 paper plates for £2 thats all a 3 year old needs. And balloons are for running around after other than maybe a big 3. That is totally crazy money. Bouncy castle and ball pit yes but rest way too much

Why would you cancel? You've obviously got a SHITE tonne of money and if I were a little kid, I'd be thrilled at fewer people on the bouncy castle as lots of people on it used to scare me as a child. Less bouncers, more room for her.

I’m guessing you are well off oP and have lots of disposable income ….but it’s such a waste of money at this age ….you could have put the other 750 quid in her bank….or gone on a little break….or put it into a holiday fund…..anyway your money to burn….I’m sure she will have a lovely time

Thanks for all of the responses! I think we will still go ahead.

Thank you. Yes I agree - it could have been spent more wisely. Hindsight is a great thing!

once she starts school you generally spend more….but until then ….HomeBargain is your friend 😁

Op I can easily afford a 1000 pound party but spending it on a 3year old was an absolute foolish decision. A really upmarket or fancy soft play would have done the job easily. You have literally thrown money away.

A soft play and a nice day out at an attraction would have been perfect.

Hope you have a lovely party. People are so flaky nowadays but DD will love what you have planned.

I got a balloon arch for free on our local fb group. People quite often give them away because they don't want them after the event. Three year olds really want balloons to chase and throw around.

Sorry you've had so many people cancel. Are you clashing with something else?

Haven't read all the replies only yours OP.

Have the party, it'll be sad for those that haven't dropped out to have to miss out all together.

I'm sure your DD will love it.
Enjoy the day.

£1000 on a party for a 3 year old ????
Absolutely cancel it and take the 9 kids to the park for a picnic

Omg every time you update you make it worse.

Look if you have that spare money and you feel it’s justifiable then go for it. If your new to this and thought this was normal then it’s not.

Village/community hall hire around here has going up to about £80. Last time we actually got the venue free by using onsite catering which from memory was about £7/child, minimum number of 10 I think.

£250 on balloons wow! I’m assuming this is a big display. I love a good balloon display but it’s really not justifiable in todays economy. A couple of packs of balloons and a pump is fine.

You really don’t need serveware or cutlery at a party for a 3yo, finger food on paper plates with napkins. Maybe a few spoons for coleslaw, relishes..

The only thing I’d say is worth it is the bouncy castle and ball pit, but you could have got away with just one or the other.

Its probably good numbers aren’t high as it can get very loud in a hall with a bouncy castle.

Some people have more money than sense! £1000 on a 3 year olds party which she probably won't remember! Any wonder the world's gone to pot!

The OP clearly has the money for this if she’s spending £250 on balloons. Maybe she’s an influencer.

Anyway, don’t cancel. Extend the invite out to siblings. Any family kids you can invite? Cousins? Neighbours kids?

I’d invite both parents of each child and have a bit of a knees up. Get some champagne. Might as well make it worth it and fun.

No don't cancel, your DD will still have a fab time. I would try and bump up the numbers a bit I think - any older siblings or kids or friends you can invite? They love bossing three year olds about. Invite a few more kids if you can but if not it'll be fine.

I spent a fortune on DD's fifth birthday party as she'd always refused to have one so I'd been saving up. I also got totally carried away with invites and 42 kids came. I think I'd prefer less than too many after that experience!

She may not remember, but we will! I agree it’s a high amount for a children’s party, but I wouldn’t say it’s ridiculous.

You’ve been fully mugged off then.. we had a 1st birthday party and it cost us about £200 all in, that was with a bouncy castle, soft play, food, venue hire.. wow

I was going to add, I’m going to be booking my 7yos party in the next few weeks, it’s at a soft play, separate party room, food, drink, disco room, a few extra treats for birthday child, this will be £10.95/child, minimum of 10 maximum of 30. She wants to bake her cake although will be happy with shop bought. I tend to do the cake baking for birthday parties but at times my DDs have enjoyed a trip to Asda to pick a cake, they prefer asda as the cake selection is bigger than our local tescos. Colin’s appeared a few times too. If we do a balloon, it will be a single helium one, but so far she’s not asked for one.

@Delatron said what I was wondering. Can you rethink the guest list? Invite children you hadn't thought of the first time around?
It sounds like a lovely party and I hope you have a memorable time.

It's all for the parents looking good on social media. The child's enjoyment doesn't matter, that's why 9 kids isn't enough! There needs to be loads of kids for the gram!

I wonder if people have cancelled because they feel that they just couldn't compete when it 's their child's turn for a party?

They've left it a bit late to let you know. Don't cancel, she would be disappointed, do as other suggest and invite siblings to come as long as they're not much older or babies.

Op you have clearly done this to impress. I can guarantee that no one is going to be impressed, in fact any one attending is going to think you went overboard. You say you will remember, but that's only going to be memorable if you are going to do this only once. Anyway, go ahead but invite siblings, cousins, neighbours.

How much are you spending on presents?