How many turn up?

[QuackQuackBoing]

Hi was wondering what the ratio usually is, the amount you invite and the amount that can make it?

Assuming this is a child's party - what age?

Depends on the time of year. School holidays and bank holiday weeks are usually bad. In termtime, I'd guess around 9/10 will accept.

Last time i did one it was a long weekend so a lot were away but this time it's not!

Forgot to say they are 4/5.

I invited 38 to ds's 5th party as dh convinced me that being half term at least a third would decline. We got 3 refusals and at least 10 siblings in tow. Oops!

I invited 22 (private nursery, pre-school room), got 17 in the end, but had to send reminder postcards in a week later as had only heard back from 3! Got loads of answers on the back of the reminder postcards.

feedthegoat So you had 45? Was that ok and manageable?

I'm sort of thinking that it doesn't matter if there are loads as it will be a relaxed party anyway, no set time to all sit and eat or anything as there will just be food they can help themselves to as and when. I'm going to set up little activities but not do structured party games as they stress me out. So I'm not that worried about there being a lot but not sure if I should be!

Are you having this party at home? That's very brave with children of this age, especially without some kind of entertainer. Will the parents be staying as well? At that age, most parents stayed with children at parties DS went to, although a few would leave the child.

Forgot to mention - most people will accept evenually but it's very common for the replies to come in extremely slowly. Don't be surprised if you have to chase people for replies.

dearprudence You've scared me now! We had one at home last year with bouncy castle and it all went really well. I have found that my kids HATE entertainers and they never join in at parties with them.

Forgot to say that yes I am expecting parents to stay, they did last year and I provided food and drink for them as well. Everyone really enjoyed it so am hoping for the same this year. I think kids that age would be upset at being left.

Any one else?

Just had 7yo party couple of weeks back. We invited 40, 3 replied no, 8 replied yes, chased the 10 that I had numbers for and got answers.

So on morning of party I had 16 confirmed as coming plus my 2, but then 2 dropped out.

11 children who hadn't replied turned up and 2 of them brought uninvited siblings along.

Good luck

dearprudence I have to ask . . . why do you think it's brave? Do you mean having them all in my house?

Jaspants That's a pain. It's hard to plan when you don't know how many to expect isn't it.

Yes it was but we had exclusive hire of a soft play area and food was platters rather than individual plates.

It was manic and loud but in a way it was easier then taking ds on a normal day as usually that amount of kids but at least we knew everyone. Parents all stay where we are still too so I wasn't the only one with responsibility for them all either.

Ds had a great time and I was pleased with how it went. I hope you and dc have fun.

Sorry, I disappeared. Very bad form.

Yes, I meant that you're brave for having all the children in your house and taking responsibility sure they're entertained and happy. But if you've done it before, you know what you're dealing with, and it will be great.

I had a party for my DD-9 today. Of 19 invited, 14 came. Two who came hadn't definitively RSVP'd and one who had RSVP'd didn't show.

I also want to add that of the 5 who didn't come, only one had graciously declined. The other four gave no response to the invitation at all. Arrrgggghhh.

Invited 30 and 12 confirmed that they would come, 3 said they couldn't make it and 27 turned up.

Hhahahaha! This is the question that is turning me into a carzy woman, its dd party on Sunday, invited 33. Need it to be 25 or less on the day as I havent requested extra staff.

I have had about 15 'yes' replies, some scrambled this morning despite putting RSVP by Monday gone. 5 'no' replies and the rest are unaccounted for, despite me handing them out myself, explaining I needed replies for numbers and chasing people.

I think I may invite 2/3 best friends next year.

usual rule of thumb is 30% drop out rate from the original invite list unless it's an unusual occasion.

So about 2/3s then usually turn up? That should be ok. Bit worried that most will come . . . with siblings!

Thing is I usually calculate siblings in from the start, or tell them they aren't invited so there is no confusion. Had a party on Saturday where there weren't enough gifts and favours for everyone, their three siblings and their neighbour etc but it was outdoors and the parents understood that and managed their kid's expectations accordingly so it didn't affect me either way! Then again, that's why I largely do informal picnics or halls rather than house/strict number venues... can't cope with the stress!