Lack of RSVPs

[bigpaws]

Can you believe a friend and I are hosting a joint birthday party for our DDs. Less than half of the 40 kids invited have replied. From those that have replied, over half are away.
How do you organise a kids party in August?
Certainly sticking to a small get together next year!!

When is the party?
In my experience no answer = no show, although you hear bizarre stories on MN about 50 people turning up without having RSVP'd.

Back in July, DS got an invite for a party at end of September. That's right, 10 weeks notice they gave. For a 5yo's birthday party. DS won't be attending same school as her, either, and I myself had almost zero clue who she was.

I declined it, btw. I expect a lot of people won't decide until mid-September (presuming they haven't A) lost the invite and B) their child even remembers who the birthday child is).

My DS has the August birthday and although he gave out invitations at the end of term people invariably forgot.
However I never had more than 10 DCs so they were easier to chase up.

I feel for you, dd's best friend is having a party when we are on holiday, on one hand I feel bad that she can't go, but we can't change all of our plans for one 2hr party. We had a day out with them instead which worked well.

Do you have any contact details for them to chase invites. I do chase people as often they have forgotten/lost track/lost invite. I think to guarantee attenders you probably either need to go small and check the date beforehand with parents (have done that with dd's half term parties), or have it at begining of holiday or on inset days at end of holiday.

I feel for you. Sadly it seems the norm to be rude and not reply. I wouldn't assume no reply = not coming though.

We've been in a similar situation. DS birthday is 12 Aug and we had big problems organising a party last year. Gave out about 15 invites, had 2 or 3 responses....1 child turned up. We assumed no reply, no show....but I was panicking that we could have more and I wouldn't be prepared!

It seems like a lack of manners to reply. But in summer holidays it's card with people away or don't know what their plans are.

My DS is getting too old for parties now, but we were thinking of having an early celebration near the end of the school year, or at the start.

Feel sorry for children with birthdays in the middle of the holidays!

It the curse of the late August birthday. I always put an rsvp by date on invitations, which are handed out (not via school bag) in the last week of term. I know these mums to chat to and still half don't reply. The dilemma is are they not replying because they're not coming or because they are away for a fortnight now? So yes a chasing txt will go out.

Thanks for your posts. Hearing other people's comments certainly help to see its not just us.
The party was tonight. About 12 turned up. None of the non-RSVPs showed up. So rude. I feel I have to pass a comment next time I see them.
Party went well - just not as busy as we intended. Sticking to quieter parties from now on.

Thanks you just reminded me to RSVP an invite for the 25th. Bit annoyed this one only gives a mobile number to reply to. Feel a bit weird about phoning or texting someone I don't know that well.
I think the no RSVP no show is the norm.