I’m thinking the alternative is that they have the same party every year, and figure people “in the know” kind of plan for it.

No one can tell y U why they do it. Maybe they want low numbers. Maybe it’s easier to not have hurt feelings when people aren’t invited, because they can say they planned it last minute. Maybe, although(or because) they do it every year, they don’t end up planning hugely far ahead.

In any case, as has been already said, don’t go if it’s a burden.

Or.. are you worried that maybe you're on the back up list and that’s why your got invited so late?

Keep a small gift stash in your closet. Yank something out when you need it. Give the unused items to your DD for her birthday or winter holiday, or a toy drive.

Who cares?

Anonymous wrote:One of my DD’s friends sends out a party invitation just one week before. And they always have the party on a long holiday when a lot of people are bound to be out of town. They invite a lot of people. Do they do this to keep the numbers low? The kid’s birthday is in Spring but they have a party in summer. Our DDs are good friends and we have to rearrange plans to go. It to mention finding item to order and wrap gifts.

Just buy a gift card on your way to wherever.

I guess you're talking about us.

Dd is a May bday, but our spring calendar is crazy busy with travel sports for siblings, familycommitments, we happened to have 2 weddings to attend, high school graduation, niece's baptism, etc

So, a summer bday party for Dd it is. We cast a wide net hoping at least 50% of the guests could come. Im a little overwhelmed with work and life in general so excuse me for not sending out save the date cards and inviting folks 10 days out. Not sure what else we could do. Let me know if you have a better idea.

Why would you rearrange plans? Seriously, one of the consequences of issuing last-minute invitations is that some people will already have plans. So, either you know she's going to do this, so you don't make plans because you want to go, or you make whatever plans you would make anyway and decline the invitation. This is not hard.

Neither is finding and wrapping a gift. Seriously, wrapping a gift isn't even work. Stick it in a gift bag, done.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m a planner and this would drive me nuts. Just don’t go if you have plans. Go if you are local.

My kids have all sorts of friends. We have had same day last minute birthday invitations. Some people arent organized. Some people planned not to do a party and decide last minute to do something.

OP here: that's what we'll end up having to do. This is not just year, they do this every year. So clearly it is planned. That's what puzzles me.

So knowing that, and if you want your DD to go, then don’t make plans on that holiday. Since the party happens every year consistently. I fail to see the issue? Otherwise, proceed with your plans and skip the party. Or maybe alternate years. One year, go, one year don’t.

Anonymous wrote:I’m a planner and this would drive me nuts. Just don’t go if you have plans. Go if you are local.

My kids have all sorts of friends. We have had same day last minute birthday invitations. Some people arent organized. Some people planned not to do a party and decide last minute to do something.

OP here: that's what we'll end up having to do. This is not just year, they do this every year. So clearly it is planned. That's what puzzles me.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One of my DD’s friends sends out a party invitation just one week before. And they always have the party on a long holiday when a lot of people are bound to be out of town. They invite a lot of people. Do they do this to keep the numbers low? The kid’s birthday is in Spring but they have a party in summer. Our DDs are good friends and we have to rearrange plans to go. It to mention finding item to order and wrap gifts.

Seriously? Who cares? If you know they always have it on a long holiday, why would you have to rearrange plans?

People have non-kid birthday plans on long weekends.

How difficult is it to order and wrap a gift? It's ONE gift. I work full time, have two kids one of whom is special needs, a dog, and travel for work. If my kids friends have a party, and my kids want to go, they go.

Just make it happen.

I’m a planner and this would drive me nuts. Just don’t go if you have plans. Go if you are local.

My kids have all sorts of friends. We have had same day last minute birthday invitations. Some people arent organized. Some people planned not to do a party and decide last minute to do something.

Then don’t go? Really not something to overthink

What a mean spirited and judgmental post.

Either go or don’t.

Anonymous wrote:One of my DD’s friends sends out a party invitation just one week before. And they always have the party on a long holiday when a lot of people are bound to be out of town. They invite a lot of people. Do they do this to keep the numbers low? The kid’s birthday is in Spring but they have a party in summer. Our DDs are good friends and we have to rearrange plans to go. It to mention finding item to order and wrap gifts.

Seriously? Who cares? If you know they always have it on a long holiday, why would you have to rearrange plans?

One of my DD’s friends sends out a party invitation just one week before. And they always have the party on a long holiday when a lot of people are bound to be out of town. They invite a lot of people. Do they do this to keep the numbers low? The kid’s birthday is in Spring but they have a party in summer. Our DDs are good friends and we have to rearrange plans to go. It to mention finding item to order and wrap gifts.