Who to invite to DD's 5th b'day conundrum.

[Callisto]

DD is at a relatively small school where reception and year 1 are mixed. There are 7 girls (inc DD) in reception and 4 girls in year 1. I'm in a real pickle trying to work out if it will cause dreadful ructions by not inviting the 4 older girls to DD's birthday party. I asked her teacher who said there's no such thing as birthday party etiquette and that DD should ask who she likes (not helpful really).

Anyway, if it was just class mates, 10 girls wouldn't be a problem, but DD has lots of friends from outside school and even just inviting the 6 reception girls means that numbers are in the low 20's.

So my questions is do I suck it up and invite everyone or be mean mummy and only invite the six?

DD1 is in a mixed Year 1/2 group this year. I didn't even invite all the Year 1 children, never mind the Year 2s! We invited the people the DDs wanted to invite (was a joint party between DD1 and 2) and any children whose parties they had already attended (big on return invites, etiquette, me).

As you can probably guess, I'd say only invite the 6.

I wouldn't differentiate by year but by those children your DD is most friendly with. She can't regularly play with all 10, I wouldn't have thought. I kind of think the teacher is right - it should be up to your DD.

At a push I would just invite the 6 as well.

I would say it depends on what sort of party you are having. If you are having a hall and entertainer then 4 more children shouldn't make any difference. Sometimes it's just easier to invite everyone. Do remember that you may get some people who can't come, or who drop out at the last minute.

However if numbers are crucial then she should just invite who she wants.

Well, if it was up to DD she would invite all 10 plus about 5 older girls she plays with too. The children all seem to play together, age doesn't come into it, which is lovely but makes party invites difficult.

If its a wee tea party at home then keep the numbers low.
The number i had was 5 from class, and then 3 cousins.
Ds was happy, kids were happy we had a lush time.

It is at home, in the garden with bouncy castle. I feel we have to invite the reception girls as I know DD will be invited to all of their parties (already 2 invites from them).

Thanks for all of the replies btw.

I'd invite them all then.