August birthday--nobody's coming to the party
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Anonymous
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My child's 4th birthday Is in early Aug. We organized a party and invited 18 kids, figuring 8 or 9 would show up. Instead only 4 have RSVPed.
I don't know whether to postpone the party til after school begins, hosting it a whole month or more after the birthday, or just go ahead with a super small party. Thoughts? We hired a venue, so if the party has only 4 or 5 kids, it will cost us practically $100/4-year-old kid. |
Anonymous
| We have an August bday too and generally do small parties, in part, for this reason. I also try to get the invite out a month ahead to give people time to plan for it. Can you change it up and do something smaller? Dc won't care about who didn't come, just the fun he/she had! |
Anonymous
| If you can change the venue- I'd do that. A bbq in your backyard with an ice cream cake and traditional bday games would be fun. I got an invite to an early Aug party and we can't make it , but are mailing a gift for the birthday boy. Summer is a toughie for bday parties. I heard someone say that they wait until school is back in session to do a summer bday party. I have a late June bday and if I didn't have cousins, my parties would have been sad. |
Anonymous
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Your kid won't notice or care. It is actually a healthy precedent to set... These huge parties for every kid every year are out of control. We are creating a generation of little narcissists!
All kidding aside, I'd decide based on whether or not my kid seems to care more about the party happening on time or having more guests. I have two kids, and one would totally be all about timeliness and the other is all about the company. Good luck and have fun no matter what. |
Anonymous
| Mom of an older August baby. Been there. Done that. Adjust as necessary. It is what it is. Cardinal rule: never plan a birthday party for August. |
Anonymous
| DS's birthday is August 27th. We always had his birthday party the first weekend after school starts. |
Anonymous
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Same problem for December birthday. This year we will hold a party in November.
I too hate how big and expensive kid parties have become... And then some parents blow off the in home parties even if the kids are good friends. And preschool policy is all kids from the class must receive an invite. |
Anonymous
That is not ANY preschool's policy. They can not control what people do outside of school hours. Many preschools have the policy that if you want to distribute invites at school THEN they must be distributed to the whole class (or all boys or all girls). |
Anonymous
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Thanks everyone. Actual birthday is Aug 8. For a host of reasons, if we delayed we'd be looking at Labor Day weekend, late Sept (ages after the real birthday), or a weekend when only one parent can be present.
I think in this town July birthdays are easier. People go away, but not as much. I am where I am and just need to make an imperfect choice. I also don't want to anger the few parents who have said they're coming by canceling last-minute. At the same time, if I don't cancel I'm afraid a couple of kids will change their RSVP due to last-minute Shenandoah plans or something, then things will be really sad! Party's in a week. |
Anonymous
I would recommend just going ahead and hosting the party. It's okay to change the venue to your own home, but make sure you remind people if this twice. If it turns out that you can't change the venue, then, honestly, don't worry about the cost. You already budgeted for it, so it's not really a loss, just more "per kid" -- and that's not really a bid deal. 
Have fun!!!! I'm sure your child will be thrilled. And DON'T FORGET TO CALL OR SEND AN EMAIL REMINDER OF WHEN and WHERE THE UPCOMING PARTY IS! People in DC are massively forgetful. They need constant reminders, I kid you not.
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Anonymous
| It's July 24. You have plenty of time. Contact the folks that have not RSVP'd. |
Anonymous
| How have turnouts been for end of August parties? As in, last weekend of August. |
Anonymous
Bad choice if you want the majority to attend. I also think it is rude to reschedule when you have invited people and 4 said they would come. Had none said yes, it would be different. |
Anonymous
I agree but was confused about this. The subject line says nobody's coming but the post says 4 people responded. Did the 4 that responded all decline? |
Anonymous
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Reschedule for fall when families are around and eager to meet new classmates.
I'm hoping your the mom of the August party we rsvp'd to...noticed on the evite that everyone is on vacation. |