Joint birthday party invites

[Loosingmymind]

Hi, DD & DS are having a joint party at a soft play centre (will be 2 & 4).

They go to different nurseries so have different friends - how should I word the invites?

The invites supplied by the soft play say "You are invited to __ Birthday party" so I can't put DD would like to invite you to DD & DS birthday party.

Any ideas? I could always buy different invites but would prefer to use these ones.

Thanks

We normally just get "you are invited to DD and DS party" - why not?

Yeah I could write that but I was worried the parents would feel like they should bring a present for the child their child doesn't even know if that makes sense?

Maybe I'm just over thinking it.

I would write the name of the child who they are friends with, otherwise eople may feel they have to provide presnets for both.

Will they not feel a bit weird when they turn up and realise it's a joint party? I would but I'm a bit strange.

But if they know it's a joint party (regardless of the invite), they'll bring 2 presents - I would, even a cheap little toy or book for the one who my DC isn't friends with.

Either you make it clear that it's a joint party and prepare yourself for the fact that some guests will bring 2 presents, or you don't mention it at all and risk people finding out on the day, which I don't think most people would find weird at all.

Thanks for replies, I think I am panicking over nothing, it's their first party so am being a bit OTT about every detail!

I will either put both names (the friend of the invited child's name 1st) or just one name.

cheers!

It will be a great party - remember to enjoy yourself too

We've just done this with both of mine (both had joint parties with friends of their own, iyswim. We wrote the invite as x & Ys party - but added a note sayin g: please don't feel you should buy two presents - if you'd like to buy a present, just buy for X (ie your child's friend.

Always worked fine for us - although some people do buy both a present.

So far I've had joint party for my 2 (nearly 5 and nearly 3)

I always do individual invites as, like you I would hate people to feel obliged to bring any gift, let alone one for the sibling they don't necessarily know.

When the younger ones parents reply, I usually let them know that it is a joint party, just so that they are prepared that there will be some older children there. (lots of PFB in DD2s friendship group! )

Occasionally, DD1s friends parents have said "oh I didn't realise it was a joint party" and I just say that it was intentional, as I didn't want anyone feeling obliged to buy for them both.

Thanks Lollypop, I intend to!

Darkwood - I did think of adding a note to that effect but couldn't think how to word it without sounding presumptious (sp?)about the present buying. Your're suggestion sounds good, thanks

Ah I never thought about that blowinin if I was doing individual names, the 4 years olds are quite erm, wild, and there will be children there about 18 months.

So many choices! I think I will put down both names and ages so the parents are prepared and add a note saying about not feeling they have to buy presents etc then everything is hopefully covered.