When to invite to a party just before Christmas?

Summermeadowflowers · 2023-10-08T07:28:24+00:00

Ds turns 3 in mid December and I’d like to do a party for him this year. I think we’re going to book a soft play centre. I’m wondering when to invite people as I know things get a bit manic in the run up to Christmas. My absolute dread is lots of people pulling out last minute!

RhymesWithTangerine · 08/10/2023 08:34

You may just need to accept that people may pull out and just plan as best you can. Sending invites really early probably won’t solve the problem. Don’t take it to heart if people do change plans, it’s just a busy time. Maybe go for mid week rather than a Saturday?

Alternatively, if you are offering childcare rather than needing the parents to stay, you might get a great turnout for the afternoon.

Overthebow · 08/10/2023 08:35

Could you do the party at the beginning of December instead of mid December? You may get a better response.

Findyourneutralspace · 08/10/2023 08:37

I have the same birthday and people do pull out unfortunately. Mid week sounds a good idea. I’d give about a months notice to invites.

mynameiscalypso · 08/10/2023 08:40

I'd do it soon personally. Our December weekends are already pretty booked up and we have a fair number of mid week activities too.

luckysonofagun · 08/10/2023 08:45

I'd do early dec/end nov . Are you inviting a few or whole class.? A few, put a shortish rsvp then you can invite others if some decline. Whole class I'd expect 50%. I'd do invites 3-4 week in advance too.

Original poster

Summermeadowflowers · 08/10/2023 08:49

Mid week probably wouldn’t work because a lot of parents are at work and children in childcare (do you all know a lot of SAHPs?) His actual birthday is on a Saturday and while that isn’t important it would be nice to have his friends there. It wouldn’t bother him if people didn’t turn up I don’t think, more upsetting for me as is often the case!

OP posts:

FourFourOne · 08/10/2023 08:53

My DC’s birthday party will be the weekend before Christmas, am planning to send out invites just after the October half term…

OhhhhhhhhBiscuits · 08/10/2023 09:02

People who pull out after saying yes are arseholes. I would get the invites out beginning of November and hope the people you are inviting are not arseholes and will stick to the commitment they have made.

strawberry2017 · 08/10/2023 09:42

I would send them now. Plenty of notice

SadlyACupOfTeaDoesNotSolveEverything · 08/10/2023 10:21

We already have invites in for the weekend before Christmas and are very much committed to going. I can’t stand people who drop out for no good reason.

coodawoodashooda · 08/10/2023 10:23

I'd do the start of December

OhhhhhhhhBiscuits · 08/10/2023 12:10

SadlyACupOfTeaDoesNotSolveEverything · 08/10/2023 10:21

We already have invites in for the weekend before Christmas and are very much committed to going. I can’t stand people who drop out for no good reason.

In their eyes its OK as they got a better offer. The same reason people don't rsvp to the last minute or who don't rsvp at all and just turn up. I went to a kids party once where I wish I had the guts to do what this mum did, she literally turned 2 families away as they hadn't rsvp'd and she said she hadn't done food or party bags for them as she assumed they weren't coming. The rumor mill has it that these parents are now amongst the first to rsvp at other parties now.

People are so selfish these days. It annoys me.

mondaytosunday · 08/10/2023 12:25

Frankly are people really that manic? It's an excuse. But give them good notice anyway and follow up!

SadlyACupOfTeaDoesNotSolveEverything · 08/10/2023 12:51

OhhhhhhhhBiscuits · 08/10/2023 12:10

In their eyes its OK as they got a better offer. The same reason people don't rsvp to the last minute or who don't rsvp at all and just turn up. I went to a kids party once where I wish I had the guts to do what this mum did, she literally turned 2 families away as they hadn't rsvp'd and she said she hadn't done food or party bags for them as she assumed they weren't coming. The rumor mill has it that these parents are now amongst the first to rsvp at other parties now.

People are so selfish these days. It annoys me.

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I am trying to channel that parent as we have a particular family we are friends with who are always waiting for a better offer. We had invited them for lunch today (three weeks ago) and they never responded. On Friday night at 10pm(!!!) they messaged to ask ‘if we were still on for Sunday lunch?’ - erm no, we are now going to meet a friend for brunch as you yet again never committed and our time is every bit as precious as yours! In reality I replied ‘so sorry, didn’t think you guys were coming so agreed to meet up with X’.

OhhhhhhhhBiscuits · 08/10/2023 13:43

SadlyACupOfTeaDoesNotSolveEverything · 08/10/2023 12:51

I am trying to channel that parent as we have a particular family we are friends with who are always waiting for a better offer. We had invited them for lunch today (three weeks ago) and they never responded. On Friday night at 10pm(!!!) they messaged to ask ‘if we were still on for Sunday lunch?’ - erm no, we are now going to meet a friend for brunch as you yet again never committed and our time is every bit as precious as yours! In reality I replied ‘so sorry, didn’t think you guys were coming so agreed to meet up with X’.

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Well done you! I am going to have to be more like this.