AIBU to feel hurt about last minute party cancellations?

[HR313]

Long story short but feeling a bit let down and sad - my daughter is due to have her party this weekend and handed out invites back in June before her friends at pre school and nursery finished for summer - we had so many invites declined for various reasons and in the last few days had at least 3 people pull out of her party. We still have plenty of children attending but some of the friends we invited we are quite close with and feel like they just couldn’t care less lots of ‘sorry to let you down’ but it’s just left a bitter taste in my
mouth. I always like to put effort into other friends and others we know but after this I just feel like why bother. I don’t know what I’m asking but just feel upset on my daughters behalf I know she won’t mind and will be too busy playing at her party to really notice I think it’s more me that feels hurt by the number of people that have either pulled out last minute or feeling like they have better things going on, when we have celebrated their child’s party in the past..

It’s summer parties unfortunately. My summer born daughter always had the same. People are on holiday or have plans and others wait to see what the weather is like on the day in case they can do something “better”. You’ll probably find if it rains on the day that loads more kids turn up. Like you said though, your daughter will have a great time regardless so don’t overthink it

Please don’t take it personally, I really wouldn’t think it is meant that way.

I’m summer born, bang in the middle of the holidays. Never had a party on/near the day, it was always either end of the summer term (usually straight after Sports Day!) or late September once everyone had settled back into term. Holidays are too family oriented I think, everyone’s schedules are all over the place. Much better to keep parties to term time only, when everyone knows roughly how their time is structured, plus none/not many likely to be away on holidays.

Invite a few weeks ahead rather than months, go for June or September and you’ll find I’m sure that you get much the same turn out as any other class party.

Regardless of all of that, she is little and is going to love the day anyway, whether there are 2 or 22 friends there. They really don’t think like we do at that age, I’m sure she won’t even notice how many people there are if she is doing something fun, having cake, opening presents, playing. And if she does ask about anyone in particular, you can explain they were at their Granny’s house or on holiday.

I'm so sorry but bank holiday weekend was prob not the best choice to make. Maybe avoid that weekend next year. Hope it's a good party xx

My girls birthday is 30th Aug, and usually around the BH weekend, when she was younger and having parties we learned to leave it sometimes to the first weekend in September, most people are around then for school and it's nice to get them together either just before they go back or once they are back.

It is the timing that is the problem. As many other posters have said, plans change abruptly in summer and few people ate likely to give up a weekend away because of the birthday party of someone in their child’s class. In future arrange for September