Not to invite all her school friends?

[Thulpelly]

Bit of a non problem but need some kid’s party etiquette advice.

DD is turning 6. She’s in a small class of 19 kids.

We had a huge party last year in a church hall with 40 kids (whole class plus family/friends kids) and their parents, but we don’t have the budget to do the same level this year.

I would like to do a party at home for her, like a tea party/playdate type thing after school, for maybe 6 kids.

DD has 2 ‘best’ friends she plays with everyday at school.
She also regularly plays with another 3 girls in her class.

However, if I invited all 5 of them, then I’m leaving out 5 other girls* in the class - most of which she also plays with, just not as regularly. I feel like it could cause upset.

Our house is a cottage and 6 is about the maximum it would be comfortable for for overexcited 5-6 year olds to have some run around space. We could technically fit in all 10 kids as a drop off party.

WWYD? Am i overthinking it?

YANBU: Just have a playdate/tea party, inviting her 2 best school friends, plus a few out-of-school friends she sees regularly

or

YABU: I invite all 10 girls in the class and let chaos reign? Tell parents it’s a drop off party.

(*at school she only wants to play with girls)

I think inviting half the girls is fine. If you were leaving out one or two that would be mean.

I’d invite all 10, it seems the easiest and chances are one or two won’t be able to make it.

It's fine. Leaving 1 or 2 out is harsh.

Having smaller parties/birthday events will happen more frequently as they get older.

Invite all of them.

She'll be playing with the other 5 left out in a few weeks, it changes all the time. No upset for any of the girls and return invites so your DD isn't left out. Have a great time

Our school classes started to do smaller events from Year 1. Smaller tea-party type events. Was fine.

It's irritating when your kid is the only 1 left out but if it's 50:50 that's fine.