To send invitation for 8th party happening mid-Jan?

[cremello]

The party is booked already because dates are already becoming unavailable. Party is for 8 children.

The problem is that so far ahead things can come up that take priority over a classmate’s birthday party. I would take a save the date approach to let them know about the party then send firm invites nearer the time. If I’d been sent a kids birthday party invite in October I would not have rsvp’d until nearer the time

A save the date card followed up by a full invitation for an 8 year old’s party? Bit extreme.

I’m so impressed with everyone who already has a 2026 calendar/ diary up and running.

Because your talking 3 months away thats quarter of a year away. I can't commit to that 2 weeks I can

I imagine they are using digital calendars, or academic ones.

I do have a calendar on my phone and do use it, but prefer (and actually take notice of) the wall calendar.
The odd 2026 commitment (dental, performance) gets scrawled at the bottom of Dec 2025 until I get my new 2026 one.

doesn't have to be a card, a quick heads up on whatsapp works just as well.

I have been in this situation before and I sent a Save The Date, but made it clear I was not expecting RSVPs ("Invitation to follow in early Jan, no RSVPs necessary yet" though phrased slightly more elegantly).

There are certain children's parties (good friends) that my DC would be really hacked off to miss. I appreciate lots of notice because then I can avoid booking family stuff like weekends away on those days. If making the date known early avoids a silly clash with, e.g. a dentist's appointment, then it's worth it.

Children's parties might be quite low on my priority list but they are not low on my DC's, which pushes them up mine if I don't want a disappointed child on my hands. We try not to miss them if possible, but it's sometimes a jigsaw puzzle to fit everything in and the more notice, the better.

Far too soon, send in Dec by class book bag/post plus a text to the parents, then a chaser text in early Jan.

I already know the inset days for June, I have to book dentist appointments months in advance, sports festivals and performance are already organised for spring, I don't even understand how people manage without a calendar.

No way would I want to remember to remember about things, I read about them, write them down and forget about them, easy 😂

And always better to over-plan these things than under-plan. Better an eye-roll from some parents who think you're a bit OTT than a party with very few attendees and a disappointed birthday child.

I check with the parents of my DC's closest friends that the date is probably going to be ok before booking. Of course, things do still come up, that's life. But if a quick message can avoid issues, send it.

You're not asking them to block it out, you're giving them a heads-up that it's happening in case they want to block it out.

I would send early December so that they don't get lost in the pile of Christmas letters and cards etc later in the month

I think it's fine- I've done similar before.

For a whole class party- no.

For a smaller group with a specific activity that needs to be booked well in advance, I've sent a WhatsApp to each parent, saying my DC wants to do XYZ for their party and I need to book it as spaces are filling up, was wondering whether your DC can come, I'll send a proper invite nearer the time.

No-one has ever raised an eyebrow!

In the middle of the Christmas chaos? I wouldn't do that either! A good week or two before the end of the Christmas term I'd say. Acknowledging that it's a crazt time. And probably a reminder early January!

The poster saying they can't commit in case a wedding comes up last minute 🤨

My child's friends birthday parties are important to her so they're important to me, so I'd prioritise that where I can in my diary. The chance of her starting a new random club on a Saturday is low, we already know when her hobbies are and any friends of mine planning weddings tend to book those in more than 3 months in advance.....

It's a bit early but if you want to send the invitation then send it but ask for RSVPs by a date in early December.

I don't generally believe in waiting in case something better comes along but for kids' parties I don't want to be planning my weekend three months in advance around something like that these days.

Do you mean they're waiting to see if something better comes along?

Not necessarily better but something that would be more of a priority to that family than a child's birthday party.

They break up mid-Dec

That's not how it works. I don't have our shift patterns that far ahead so I don't know if there will be an adult available to take them. I don't know what DC sports fixtures will be and if we'll be travelling for an away game.

If a wedding invite comes our way that would also have to take priority over a classmate's party. My brother got married last year with 3 months notice of the date. Much more to consider than just a 'better offer.'

Friendship groups might change too, as they do at that age and your DC might want to change the invite list or my child might be best buddies with yours just now but drift apart by next term. By all means book the party but no need to send invites until a few weeks before when people have a better idea if they can commit.

Then decline the invite and potentially miss out 🤷‍♀️

Now is too soon @cremello but I disagree with people saying send the invitations in early December. People will be in full Christmas mood then, and all they will be seeing, hearing, and thinking about is Christmas.

Sooooooo, send them early to mid November. In about 5 weeks.

But my point is that a few weeks beforehand we will know our availability and will be able to give you a clear yes or no, 3-4 months in advance is not possible.

That's the 'risk' you take!

Exactly! I had a look at when I sent last year and it was mid November. I'd clearly decided that December just doesn't exist in regards to anything not Christmas related!

I'd just message.the parents and give them a heads up. My dd has similar birthday to 4 of her 8 friends so the mums plan the weekends for the parties. It's the only sensible thing to do. Invites through be sent a month before