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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Child didn’t get a party bag

1000 replies

JandamiHash · 15/01/2025 14:37

Hosted my son’s 8th birthday on Sunday. I sent out invitations in December and made it clear when people had to get back to me (7th Jan). We hired a magician and included personalised party bags that the magician makes himself - they have each child’s name on the stuff inside and it also included a magic wand and some of the tricks he did on the day so the kids could try themselves at home. They were a quite expensive addition but I didn’t mind as I thought it was a nice touch. I also ordered Domino’s Pizza and just enough for the partygoers as again it can be very expensive.

One child whose parents didn’t RSVP turned up. The mum is a bit of an Amanda (as in from Motherland) and has form for being a bit of a PITA. I did say “Oh you didn’t RSVP, it’s absolutely fine to stay but sorry I don’t have a party bag for James, just to warn you.” She looked annoyed and just said “I did RSVP didn’t I?” And checked her phone before saying “Oh dear I forgot. What a shame he won’t have a party bag.”

She then told me James is now vegan like her (was previously vegetarian). I said “Oh sorry there are no vegan pizzas ordered”. Again she looked annoyed and said how it would be awful not to feed him, so I said it was fine I’d call dominoes now to add one onto the order. She shared it with him and took the leftovers home. I was pissed off, if that was me I’d have at least ordered one myself for my child, but this woman is deeply entitled and a massive CF. I would never leave a child without food though and feel like I did the right thing.

Anyway I’ve had a text today to say how upset James is that he didn’t get a party bag, apparently the other kids are all bragging about their magic tricks that they’ve learnt with the party bag stuff and he’s feeling left out (she is forever messaging the mum’s group moaning he’s left out and nobody is his friend and expects us all to prioritise this with our own kids) and that I should have had spares.

I haven’t replied but WIBU to tell her that she should have RSVPd and the only person answerable to her son is her and her DH for sloppy organisation, and that plenty of children in the class didn’t attend the party. Also that I made reasonable adjustments for the food at my own expense. DH thinks I should send my bank details and ask for the extra £10 the vegan pizza cost!

OP posts:
Ellie1015 · 15/01/2025 17:08

The response you arr sending is perfect. Amanda was disorganised not to rsvp but to complain about party bag is beyond cheeky. As is taking the pizza!

HadEnoughOfThisPish · 15/01/2025 17:09

High time somebody told Amanda to fuck right off if you ask me. Subtle messages are completely lost on this genre of cheeky fucker.

youngoldthing · 15/01/2025 17:09

Needmorelego · 15/01/2025 14:44

@youngoldthing because to be brutally honest half the magic tricks will be lost/ broken or donated to the charity shop by the end of January.

And you know this for sure?

or you could just let people do what they want instead of making inane comments with woeful justifications.

YourNimbleOchrePoster · 15/01/2025 17:10

I’d be tempted to add you hope James enjoyed the leftover pizza.

notanaskhole · 15/01/2025 17:10

JudgeJ · 15/01/2025 15:04

(she is forever messaging the mum’s group moaning he’s left out

She needs to look in the mirror to find the answer to that one!

Or mumsnet as she or some of the other mums probably are on here. It’s likely the main reason OP posted this. Which is fair enough.

PoisedGoldBiscuit · 15/01/2025 17:11

Cascais · 15/01/2025 16:56

If possible I would contact the magician and ask if you can buy a party bag for James

Amanda, is that you? 🤔

FedUp2025 · 15/01/2025 17:12

Sorry I think this is a journalist post

RockOrAHardplace · 15/01/2025 17:12

isthesolution · 15/01/2025 14:43

Awww I'm sorry James is upset and making you feel guilty; don't be too hard on yourself though, we've all forgotten to reply to an RSVP before. The party bags were supplied by - xxxx - their contact details if you want to surprise him are.....

This...genius!

JandamiHash · 15/01/2025 17:12

pinkstripeycat · 15/01/2025 17:08

When my DC were at primary 7+ yrs ago party bags were gradually phased out as we all got fed up of buying plastic rubbish.

One year I gave individual muffins (that matched the main cake) in a little box as each child left so no need for party bag and no need for slice of soggy cake in a napkin. We brought home the big cake with candles in.

One year I did sweets in cone shaped clear bag.

One mum used to give advent calendars as her son’s birthday was near Christmas.

There’s a family in my DD’s year whose twin’s birthday was early April and they did Easter Eggs rather than party bags. Genius!

OP posts:
Lavender14 · 15/01/2025 17:12

I would just reply "yes, such a shame he missed out. The party bags were provided by the magician who charged per head. There would have been one there for him if you'd rsvp-d as requested."

End conversation.

MumWifeOther · 15/01/2025 17:13

JandamiHash · 15/01/2025 14:37

Hosted my son’s 8th birthday on Sunday. I sent out invitations in December and made it clear when people had to get back to me (7th Jan). We hired a magician and included personalised party bags that the magician makes himself - they have each child’s name on the stuff inside and it also included a magic wand and some of the tricks he did on the day so the kids could try themselves at home. They were a quite expensive addition but I didn’t mind as I thought it was a nice touch. I also ordered Domino’s Pizza and just enough for the partygoers as again it can be very expensive.

One child whose parents didn’t RSVP turned up. The mum is a bit of an Amanda (as in from Motherland) and has form for being a bit of a PITA. I did say “Oh you didn’t RSVP, it’s absolutely fine to stay but sorry I don’t have a party bag for James, just to warn you.” She looked annoyed and just said “I did RSVP didn’t I?” And checked her phone before saying “Oh dear I forgot. What a shame he won’t have a party bag.”

She then told me James is now vegan like her (was previously vegetarian). I said “Oh sorry there are no vegan pizzas ordered”. Again she looked annoyed and said how it would be awful not to feed him, so I said it was fine I’d call dominoes now to add one onto the order. She shared it with him and took the leftovers home. I was pissed off, if that was me I’d have at least ordered one myself for my child, but this woman is deeply entitled and a massive CF. I would never leave a child without food though and feel like I did the right thing.

Anyway I’ve had a text today to say how upset James is that he didn’t get a party bag, apparently the other kids are all bragging about their magic tricks that they’ve learnt with the party bag stuff and he’s feeling left out (she is forever messaging the mum’s group moaning he’s left out and nobody is his friend and expects us all to prioritise this with our own kids) and that I should have had spares.

I haven’t replied but WIBU to tell her that she should have RSVPd and the only person answerable to her son is her and her DH for sloppy organisation, and that plenty of children in the class didn’t attend the party. Also that I made reasonable adjustments for the food at my own expense. DH thinks I should send my bank details and ask for the extra £10 the vegan pizza cost!

You are better than me and already have gone beyond what many would have done. Reply with the number for the magician and say she’s welcome to make contact herself and pay for an additional party bag for James so he doesn’t feel left out

Sunshine1500 · 15/01/2025 17:18

JandamiHash · 15/01/2025 17:07

Whispers <she also only spent £2 on my son’s present>

I know it’s not cool to present shame but this is a family who have a top of the range Range Rover, designer everything and boast about fancy holidays. A £2 Works colouring book is what he got - They could have stretched to some pens to go with it! I think the PP who said they were awaiting a better offer was right and they perhaps grabbed a gift they already had in the house

She’s actually a horrible person. Over the years of party’s for my children I’ve had a couple of parents like this , never a card or gift but always turned up for the free day out and free food.

JandamiHash · 15/01/2025 17:21

Sunshine1500 · 15/01/2025 17:18

She’s actually a horrible person. Over the years of party’s for my children I’ve had a couple of parents like this , never a card or gift but always turned up for the free day out and free food.

So rude!! I can’t believe people actually do this

OP posts:
DinosaurMunch · 15/01/2025 17:22

JandamiHash · 15/01/2025 17:03

At the risk of sounding like a twat, I really don’t wanna spend my hard earned money on rude pisstakers (Amanda not James). She can buy it herself if she’s so bothered.

Agree with this but maybe for future parties you could have a couple of spare generic party bags. Don't need to cost much you can just put in a few unwanted bits from other party bags - then at least the child has something to take home.

In this case I think you should be quite clear that you would have got him a party bag if you'd known he was coming but as she didn't RSVP you couldn't have helped it. Cheeky people like this tend to get less cheeky if you stand up to them!

Needmorelego · 15/01/2025 17:25

@youngoldthing (and others).....will you just chill about my comment about "less fancy" party bags.
As I responded upthread any other thread on Mumsnet about party bags is that they are hated and full of "junk food" (boo) or "plastic tat" (hiss).
Of course the OP can do whatever party bags she wants.... next time and forever.
It was just a suggestion 🙂🙂🙂

Fetburzswefg · 15/01/2025 17:26

Cascais · 15/01/2025 16:56

If possible I would contact the magician and ask if you can buy a party bag for James

With respect, you need to grow a backbone.

MichaelandKirk · 15/01/2025 17:26

Why on earth do people behave like this? Forgetting to respond and then wondering why you werent expecting her!

I would definitely respond back especially if its on a group wide chat.

ClairDeLaLune · 15/01/2025 17:26

Please do not include the word “sorry” in your reply to her. You have nothing to be sorry for. The brazen neck of some people!

Fundays12 · 15/01/2025 17:28

I would reply with something like "That's a shame your ds was upset but unfortunately as you forgot to RSVP then I couldn't order him a party bag as I didn't know he was attending the party.

I wouldn't be inviting the kid again to a party. Your son doesn't seem to like him and his mum is a pain in the bum.

P.S I always put dates on the invites to RSVP by. If they don't rsvp I assume there not coming. I have made the odd exception to last minute rsvp (they had a very sick baby so totally understandably forgot and I told them to bring the older sibling to).

Fundays12 · 15/01/2025 17:28

ClairDeLaLune · 15/01/2025 17:26

Please do not include the word “sorry” in your reply to her. You have nothing to be sorry for. The brazen neck of some people!

Agree don't apologise. Yo did nothing wrong

Maray1967 · 15/01/2025 17:28

Lavender14 · 15/01/2025 17:12

I would just reply "yes, such a shame he missed out. The party bags were provided by the magician who charged per head. There would have been one there for him if you'd rsvp-d as requested."

End conversation.

I would send this - nice and clear and makes it obvious to everyone that that she failed to RSVP.

MillieMollusc · 15/01/2025 17:28

Has she replied OP?

ABunchOfBadBitches · 15/01/2025 17:28

Cascais · 15/01/2025 16:56

If possible I would contact the magician and ask if you can buy a party bag for James

😐 now why on earth should the OP do that?

Basketballhoop · 15/01/2025 17:28

LookItsMeAgain · 15/01/2025 16:55

I'd add "I'm sure James has learned a valuable life lesson that it's ok to be disappointed sometimes. I'm sure the late order for the vegan pizza more than made up for it"

Edited

Alternatively...
I'm sure you have learned a valuable life lesson that if you don't want James to be disappointed and hungry, it's best to RSVP. Good thing we could get the hungry part sorted, hope he enjoyed the leftovers.

FrogsLoveRain · 15/01/2025 17:30

OP, you've already gone above and beyond. And, I really like your overall attitude - kind but not a walkover

BUT

You really should have called him Manus in your OP. Not James 🤣

Amandaland is starting soon.

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