3 weeks

+1 to not do this if you will be mad when people don’t rsvp or kids bail last minute. Assume they will all bail and like others say only buy tickets feel okay buying if all seats empty except yours.

I echo the others to buy the number of tickets you're comfortable with. Invite 3 weeks out. People may back out at the last minute (happened to us with a good friend), you don't have control over that part.

I wouldn’t do this unless you exceptionally non flaky friend parents, or won’t be upset if you end up paying for 3 unused tickets when people don’t show. You could also buy x amount and then if there are extra a few days before the show, invite other friends OR invite a few of the parents to help supervise.

More than 4 weeks and I start to forget the party is happening.

You should just buy the number of tickets you’re comfortable with. Then invite the kids and ask for an rsvp 1 week before the party. Then add extra friends to the extent others can’t join. It’s impossible to get people to rsvp far in advance. They just ignore it.

Anonymous wrote:I think 3 weeks is the sweet spot. I will typically send out save-the-dates for VIP's (the kids my DC really wants to come) a bit ahead of that.

Agree. But I caution you about anything that is a high cost and requires tickets. Organizing seven 12 yr olds a month out and getting them to firmly commit is a big ask. Expect at least some to change response with short notice.

3-4 weeks

I think 3 weeks is the sweet spot. I will typically send out save-the-dates for VIP's (the kids my DC really wants to come) a bit ahead of that.

My son is having a 12th birthday party and can invite seven friends. We need to purchase tickets in advance. How far in advance would you send invitations?.... I would like enough time to be able to have him pick other people to invite if some of the initial guests can't make it. But I also don't want to send them so far in advance people forget about it.