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

Ah it’s a bit shit OP, I went to a few parties where only 5 or 6 kids out of 22 turned up at that age. Some just invited friends, family, neighbours etc too. Go ahead, she’ll have fun and honestly you may find that some of those families that turn up become good friends. We had a core group that would always attend parties and we stayed in touch after the kids left nursery.

Honestly your DD will still have lots of fun, don’t cancel it.

I would message other parents I randomly know from various WhatsApp groups (swimming class etc) and say… feeling terrible, been totally last minute with invites to DCs party, if anyone’s free on Sunday and fancies two hours of soft play for your kids please do come, the more the merrier!

Its up to the OP how much she wants to spend, why are people so triggered?

OP, why did so many people cancel after initially accepting the invitation? I'm curious about that!

Erm £1k for a 3 year olds party? Are you thinking of cancelling because it won't look so good on the 'gram?

Don't most people just do cake with a few family members/close friends at that age?

That's is such a ridiculous amount of money for a child who would be happy with a handful of friends, pass the parcel and a cake.

Do you have link? Name of the soft play? I've never heard of a soft play party costing anywhere near £60 a head!!

I did my 50th birthday party for £30 a head (admittedly for 100 people) and that included cocktails and champagne!

YABU for spending £1k on a three year old’s birthday party when they would be happy with a Peppa Pig Balloon, some bubbles and a cake.

Don't know why people are sticking the knife in. You'll all have a lovely time OP and so will your daughter. You live and learn and just chalk it up to experience I guess. Or if you really enjoy it and can afford it do it every year! Hope it all goes well for you anyway

But I think if you have the money it is up to you what you spend it on. People shouldn't give you a hard time for that. That wasn't your question. And it's rubbish that so many dropped out. People who do that for no good reason drive me crazy. I just don't get it.

Money aside@Partydilemma48293 i think it says you don’t value the children who have replied to come if you cancel. I’m sure they’ll all have fun.

I hope the part goes really well. 🎉🥳🎊

If you can’t get your money back, go ahead with the people coming.

Can’t think why you’d cancel if no refund.
The 9 kids should make the most of it.

OP you've spent the money on the party in order to celebrate your little ones birthday and to make her smile. She will have a fab time whether there are 9 people attending or 90. Just go ahead, more cake for you and the people that are coming!

Don't cancel buy extend the invitation to siblings of guests, cousins, neighbours kuds etc. You might as well get your money's worth.

Jesus,what decor have you bought for £300???

9 or 10 children is absolutely plenty for a 3rd birthday. 25 would have been too many. You’ve spent the money so now enjoy it!

Seriously, why?

Were you this ridiculous for her 1st and 2nd birthdays as well?

Why shouldn’t the OP spend what she can afford on her child’s 3rd birthday? Too many opinions here about the cost when it’s no one’s business.

Re venue hire, our local village hall is £12.50/hr for a very nice hall and kitchen.

You have to clean up yourself or face a surcharge, but still, you could probably have it for 3 hrs and pay for a clean for sixty quid....

If the point of the party is to bring pleasure to your DD why would you cancel? She will have just as good a time with 9 guests as 19. If not better - my DD was totally overwhelmed by the 14 or so guests at her 5th party. My strongest memory of the day is carrying her out of the garden while she wailed 'Make them all go home!!' She is 30 now and still prefers smaller events. Loves a balloon arch though but we do them for £30/40 from Amazon.

I don't buy it.

No one is dropping £1000 on a 3 year olds birthday and talking about cancelling and losing all that because not enough people appreciated it... this is one of those goady type threads.

Even without the unnecessary money mention, no cancelling would be rude to the 9 kids attending... basically say 'you lot aren't good enough on your own'.

I have hosted parties for a decade and a half and anywhere from 8-22 guests is pretty standard I have found (tends to be highest in reception year and lower from about year 3 on as kids develop more specific interest and friend groups).

So given that you’ve told us how much everything cost, I imagine this was a really big deal for you. Firstly, I’m sorry it’s not gone to plan - drop outs are very common with children’s parties, but this is a much higher number than you’d reasonably anticipate! Secondly, I think the cake and decor prices were too much, and given that they’re 3 you could have got away with just a bouncy castle or ball pit. Three year olds aren’t exactly known for their appreciation of decorations, and you could have got a tray bake cake from Tesco for a lot less.

Go ahead with the party, this is an exciting thing for your family, everyone else is really just along for the ride. You’ll have nice memories of your daughter.

I'd open it up to siblings to fill the space, throw in some Prosecco and you've got yourself a good party as all the adults will stay. Whats the reason for so many drop outs at that age..? I'm curious as most new parents at that stage are keen to interact and go to all the parties on offer.

I’m close to Cheshire and I feel like I know exactly which softplay you mean!

10 is loads of people for their 3rd birthday, it can actually all be quite overwhelming for them on the day. I’d prefer 10 to 25!

It is no one else’s business how much the OP spends. Just go ahead as planned and have a lovely time.