Birthday party tips for 13-year-olds?

[CrazyYogi]

Looking for tips on throwing a 13 year old birthday party.
My very independent 12 year old daughter wants a Halloween party for her birthday. Ideally she would not like me involved or in attendance at all. But I think I've managed to convince her that’s non-negotiable.
However, I am not sure how to coordinate attendees when I find myself not knowing many of the parents at her secondary school.
What do people do at this kind of awkward age when they aren’t quite old enough to be independent, yet parents are no longer well connected and I find many don’t seem very involved?
Send paper invitations and hope for the best?
trust the 12 year old to coordinate her own guests and rsvps.
It would be an early evening event so I’d assume parents would like to collect their 12 year olds. Rather than let them make their own way home. I am also cautious about being responsible for kids when I’m not sure what the rule is for them getting home.
Any other tips that have worked well for a similar ages would be amazing! Including Halloween themed ideas!

Doesn’t you dd have any ideas about what to do? Eg watch a scary movie or do scary makeup on each other?

I would agree a time and date with dd plus maximum number of guests and have her invite her friends by Snapchat or whatever app they use.

Foodwise it depends on time of day but I assume something like pizza would go down well. If you live near shops then they might enjoy going out and buying snacks together (set a budget)

I would at best be upstairs in my room while they use the rest of the house. Dd would be expected to tidy mess afterwards

Help her make a digital invite that has the details and your phone number on it, asking them to rsvp (with a parents number if you want) by x date. And don’t worry about ‘managing to convince’ her of anything, she’s 12, she needs to be bloody grateful for whatever party she gets not be trying to exclude you from even being there. Make sure she gives you a full list of who she intends to invite

The theme and activities should come from her by the way, work with her on it so you can order what she wants, but she can plan her own party at this age

Even though I don’t know my daughters high school friends parents very well, I still have their numbers on WhatsApp. In case of any issues etc it’s best to have them on hand as back up. Just ask your daughter to ask her friends to text you their numbers.

I’d insist on having a parent’s number for each attendee, and put a limit on numbers. I’d agree to staying upstairs but not being out of the house, and send a WhatsApp to each parent to ask if their child will be getting picked up or if they’re happy for them to walk home.