No-show at kids' bday party

[Anonymous]

I booked a not-cheap venue with an 8-kid limit. It was hard for my DS to choose, but he kept it small - and then one kid didn't show up. No word from the parent, nothing. Another kid could have used the spot. This morning, the mom just breezily texted, sorry to miss it. Uhh? Am I wrongly annoyed? I'm kinda annoyed!

[Anonymous]

What is very important to you is not very important to everyone else. Take a step back. You chose a "not cheap" venue, this guest did not ask to be invited.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is very important to you is not very important to everyone else. Take a step back. You chose a "not cheap" venue, this guest did not ask to be invited.

Huh?

[Anonymous]

Things happen and it’s just a birthday party. Start doing them at home and be flexible on guest list and times, you’ll be a happier person for it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Things happen and it’s just a birthday party. Start doing them at home and be flexible on guest list and times, you’ll be a happier person for it.

Not sure if you've ever thrown a birthday party at a specific venue, but many have number limits, and they're not inexpensive. Beyond the cost, simply ghosting on a party is bad manners. I hope you do realize that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Things happen and it’s just a birthday party. Start doing them at home and be flexible on guest list and times, you’ll be a happier person for it.

Throwing an at-home bday party is stressful. Easier to out-source and not deal with cleanup.
Be flexible on times? As in, throw an open house, just show up whenever? That sounds nightmarish actually.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is very important to you is not very important to everyone else. Take a step back. You chose a "not cheap" venue, this guest did not ask to be invited.

Huh?

What don't you get? OP is acting like this family did something terribly wrong. Of course OP wanted their kid to have a good party, but sometimes things come up. This party didn't hold the same importance to the guest as it does to OP. She needs to move on. These things happen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Things happen and it’s just a birthday party. Start doing them at home and be flexible on guest list and times, you’ll be a happier person for it.

Not sure if you've ever thrown a birthday party at a specific venue, but many have number limits, and they're not inexpensive. Beyond the cost, simply ghosting on a party is bad manners. I hope you do realize that?

Its just a party though. Have some perspective.

[Anonymous]

Shit happens. I wouldn't be annoyed. Some day it will be me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is very important to you is not very important to everyone else. Take a step back. You chose a "not cheap" venue, this guest did not ask to be invited.

Huh?

What don't you get? OP is acting like this family did something terribly wrong. Of course OP wanted their kid to have a good party, but sometimes things come up. This party didn't hold the same importance to the guest as it does to OP. She needs to move on. These things happen.

It's incredibly poor manners to just not show up. It's not really about "importance." And most people realize that if you're booking a venue, it costs a set amount. Your kid's place could have gone to another kid. Good grief. It's basic etiquette -- and to your point, you're telegraphing to the family that their event/kids party is of little importance, which is kinda mean!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Things happen and it’s just a birthday party. Start doing them at home and be flexible on guest list and times, you’ll be a happier person for it.

Not sure if you've ever thrown a birthday party at a specific venue, but many have number limits, and they're not inexpensive. Beyond the cost, simply ghosting on a party is bad manners. I hope you do realize that?

Its just a party though. Have some perspective.

Are you a ghoster?

[Anonymous]

It’s one person. And now you know that this person is flaky so they don’t get invited to these types of parties.

[Anonymous]

It’s rude to just skip and not say anything. Now you know you can’t count on this family to keep commitments.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is very important to you is not very important to everyone else. Take a step back. You chose a "not cheap" venue, this guest did not ask to be invited.

Huh?

What don't you get? OP is acting like this family did something terribly wrong. Of course OP wanted their kid to have a good party, but sometimes things come up. This party didn't hold the same importance to the guest as it does to OP. She needs to move on. These things happen.

It's incredibly poor manners to just not show up. It's not really about "importance." And most people realize that if you're booking a venue, it costs a set amount. Your kid's place could have gone to another kid. Good grief. It's basic etiquette -- and to your point, you're telegraphing to the family that their event/kids party is of little importance, which is kinda mean!!

You and the OP have no idea why the parent did not bring the kid. Her first response is to be annoyed and condemn the guest instead of thinking hmm, hope everything is ok.. and understand if there's a reason why they are sharing why they weren't there. Things happen in families that are private.

[Anonymous]

I would be annoyed. It’s not the end of the world, but still okay to be annoyed by it.