If you know the kid’s siblings are coming, yes, you have to provide a favor.
I had one party where parent brought multiple older siblings without RSVPing. Uninvited older siblings were first to grab a favor. I remember being stressed about who would not get a favor because I couldn’t walk up to these rude elementary kids to ask for the favor baxk. I think some guests left early or without a favor for the INVITED siblings because I miraculously had enough favors. |
Perhaps you should shake yourself out of your stun and actually deal with the situation. Announce that no siblings are invited, get more cookies, or refuse to give out favors to siblings. Your choice. |
Write the invited child’s name on the favor bag. Done. |
+1 Label the favor bag and your problem is solved. |
Have you not read the 5,000,000 threads on this very issue? |
Please don’t not offer favors to the siblings. That’s really cruel and not the kids fault. |
Who are these people who bring siblings? I have two kids, have hosted about 20 parties, and have seen this ONCE (and it was a foreign family). Never see it at the (constant) parties my kids attend, either. What area do you all live in where this is common? |
Yes you have to have favors for all kids. |
How old is the birthday child? It shouldn’t be that hard to order more cookies. Or just go to target and buy some Oreos or heart candy or whatever and put them at bottom of basket so last kids get something too. If this was an elementary party, you have every right to be upset but it is probably too late to say no siblings and drop off party. If preschool, lots of siblings come. I used to always welcome siblings. Now I have 2 kids in elementary plus a preschool kid. I would be super annoyed at siblings. We had 2 siblings stay last year but it was a home party. I think they were planning to leave but our family friends stayed and they were having a good time. 1 kid was supposed to come late and never came, 1 kid was sick and 1 kid couldn’t come last minute so I happily gave the siblings a favor. 1 parent actually stopped her kid from taking a favor and I said it was fine. Other sibling didn’t ask or come up for one but I handed it to her. |
I hear you OP and I am sorry. You are right about everything. However... It sounds like you put a lot of thoughts and efforts into organizing the perfect party for your DD. The custom cookie idea was great. If I were you, I would take a deep breath and just get other party favors for everyone. This way everyone will remember your party for what it was: an wonderful birthday party; other than what it could turn into: a disaster of dealing with upset siblings who did not get party favors. |
Yes. Don’t be so stingy. |
I hope you’re joking. OP, the siblings are there for the party of a kid they don’t even know. They are lucky enough to be playing and eating your food and cake. It’s not at all cruel to not give them a custom made cookie. |
I would write the name of the invited kid on the favor bags. Don’t order extra. Then gave some Oreos and heart candy in unnamed bags for siblings. I’m going to start writing “no siblings” on all invitations from now on. As my kids get older, it’s just harder to accommodate big families and it becomes more of an issue. Now that I have 3 kids, a birthday party is a chance for my oldest to spend time playing with her friends. It’s annoying to go through the trouble of planning that event only to have a lazy parent ruin the experience by bringing their toddlers and preschoolers along. |
It is a cookie. I’m fairly certain she can order extra pretty easily. Baker most likely hasn’t started baking the cookies yet. |
You need a favor for every kid and plan for 5 more than that. |