Party bag etiquette

[susiesheep3]

My son is having his 5th birthday party this Sunday, his first class party and my first time planning one! Annoyingly quite a few people haven’t RSVP to the invite. I have done exactly the right number of party bags, but worried in case people who haven’t responded turn up. Would you make spares? Can’t afford to do loads more but don’t want to be in a position where I’ve more kids than supplies and can’t exactly single out the ones whose parents didn’t reply. Aware that people who did say they’d come may also drop out on the day. What is a sensible buffer?

Yeah I'd do spares (as annoying as it is!). It would be really awkward if more people turned up and you didn't have enough.

Did you put RSVP by x date on the invite? I think people are less likely to just show up if there was a deadline, but it's not a guarantee unfortunately.

No I didn’t. As I said it’s my first time and a valuable lesson learnt! I would always reply even if it’s a no. I will get a few more small bits so I can have some emergency spares.

Absolutely do spares! You may well have siblings turn up too as well as the invited children who didn't reply. Although if the weather is good numbers will be down.

I would allow another 20% for spares and siblings who randomly turn up.

I’d make the fillings consumable, or things you would use or can add to other children’s party presents. Sweets, temporary tattoos, impregnated seed paper (stick them in the garden after).

Can you put a reminder about the party on the class WhatsApp? Ours always have party reminders.

I usually take the class name list and put notes of yes, no, blank for no reply (which I assume is a no) next to each child, then named lunchboxes depending what they wanted and two or so extra goody bags. You normally get one or two pulling out on the day with bugs etc but that's often compensated by last minute sibling requests etc. I've always ended up with a surplus of goody bags.

Did you chase up (sometimes multiple times are needed)?
Yes do a few spares.

Always make your contents things that can be multipurpose, and can be bulked up/slimmed down etc.

E.g. get 2x 10 for £10 books, and 20 bubbles, then sweet cones etc that could go to other events if needed. But things that are always good to give out in an emergency.

I always do about 20% (of the expected number) spares. Our class are generally quite good with rsvps but sometimes I've had a reply the day before. For me it's not that expensive to do spares as I buy supplies in bulk.

Another lesson learnt is to put on the invites “sorry no siblings “.!

I’d definitely do spares! I get that it’s extra cost, but you’d have had to spend the money if they’d all replied to say they were coming so it’s no more than you’d have expected to spend when you sent out that number of invites

As much as I loved doing party bags, I’m so pleased to be past this point!

I would definitely do a couple of spares, particularly ready for cheeky siblings who get in the queue for a bag

NEVER put the address or location of party on the invite until you’ve had conformation they will be there and they have sent you their phone number so you can send address of party to. This cuts out the time wasters and people who don’t rsvp
and just turn up

I disagree with everyone so far. I would only do named party bags for those have RSVPd and absolutely no way should siblings get one!! They have already freeloaded food -Unless the sibling provides a present but they NEVER do.

I have a 13 year old. Bar covid, have had a school party every year since he was 5. Varying numbers from 8-30 invited. Only once had one child turn up who hadn't RSVP'd. So yes do some spare bags but one or two not loads.

I do think it would be a bit cheeky to turn up when they haven’t replied. But I will definitely do a few extras, just sweets and bubbles - things we’d use anyway. Bloody rude though.

I would bring a few spares for people who didn't rsvp, although it's annoying it's not the child's fault. No way would I be providing party bags for siblings though!

I would send out a reminder to those that have not responded today, if you can, saying that if you do not hear from them by tomorrow morning you will assume their child will NOT be attending. And, if you're brave enough, send it to everyone reminding them that siblings are NOT invited.

Where I am the last few parties have done scavenger hunts to collect the goodies, and then it all goes in a pile, and each child can take 2 things until the pile is gone or host calls a stop. It seems to work well, and there is usually a craft time in the party where the kids decorate the party bag/box whatever.

Party bags for siblings!?!? Please tell me this isn’t a thing.

It bloody shouldn’t be, but I’ve seen it all!

we hosted one party where a family turned up (both parents), sibling joined in, sibling was sat at party food table by parents, then told to get into the queue for a party bag… Not a close friend of DS, not that well known by us etc. Couldn’t believe it.

Unfortunately I’ve found my balls since then (thanks over 40+ ) and would absolutely say something now, but back then I was just so flabbergasted I couldn’t say a word.

I absolutely would not give party bags to siblings.

Which is why I always marked on the invites - sorry no siblings