Follow Class etiquette or not? Help!?

[leolion]

Hi there,

I'm planning a party for my dd's 5th birthday at the end of May. She's in reception at the moment and the class etiquette appears to be to hire a hall and invite the whole class (about 20 children). However, finances are tight at the moment and I've said to dd that she can invite 6 friends to the house for a party, which she seems happy with. However, I'm now worried that some children might get wind of this and be hurt, or not invite dd to their parties if they're not invited to hers. What would you do? The last thing I want is for dd to be the odd one out, and I want to do the best thing for her.

Aaaagh!!! Who'd have thought the politics of parties could be so complicated!!

Ah, its a hard one. Does she have a clear friendship group (ie, would it be easy to pick the 6 friends?). If so I would be inclined to go with your plan, and maybe mention in passing to any parents you know whose children you're not inviting that you'd like to do the hall thing, but can't stretch to it this year.

The alternative, if she mainly plays with other girls is to have the party in your house and only invite the girls from the class (if you could squeeze in 10). We did this with dd's 6th I think, and while its not ideal it is a very easy non-politically awkward way round the problem.

Yes I agree with Takver, may be squeeze in the girls if you can. Parties are tricky! If school allow it, your DD could take in some sweets/cupcakes on the day of her birthday so that everyone has been included in some small way.

Not worth losing sleep over. Parents might be grateful to you for starting the trend of downsizing to smaller parties.

Has she got a friend whose birthday is close to, that they can share a party?
It makes it much cheaper for you both and the children can still get to invite the whole class.

Don't worry about what other parents might think, whole class parties are overrated imo :)

Just go with your idea of having a small party at home, your dd will love it :o