Anonymous
Post 09/07/2017 15:46     Subject: Birthday Party Cancellations- Do you invite more people?
I've done this - contacted a few family friends and said, "Hey, we invited kids from Jane's class this year, and we have a few spots open. Let me know if Jill wants to come." I've also opened it up to siblings.
Anonymous
Post 09/07/2017 13:54     Subject: Re:Birthday Party Cancellations- Do you invite more people?
Anonymous wrote:I used to be in the "it's rude" group, but I've changed my mind. My child has gotten some "B-list" invitations, and DC had just as much as if they had been "A-list" invitations. Having had to work with my child to cut the invitation list down to 10 or whatever the limit is, I am fully aware that some very good friends just don't make the cut sometimes. It's not that you don't want them there.

It helps that for the most part I have a couple-years or more relationship with the parents of the kids. If it's just a couple days after the first round of invitations went out, I'll let DC invite more people without a question. If we get to the point where the invitations have been out for a couple of weeks, or there's less than a week before the party, I'll send a personal email to the parents extending an invitation. I suppose it's possible they gossip about my lack of manners behind my back, but they all seem polite enough and even those who decline are polite about it. Mostly, it's acceptances and parents who understand the struggle of birthday party attendee limits.


Yeah, my kid doesn't know or care that she was on the B-List. She is always excited to celebrate with her friends. I understand that people have limits on space, maybe feel like they have to invite the whole class and then don't have many slots left for non-school friends, etc.
Anonymous
Post 09/07/2017 13:34     Subject: Birthday Party Cancellations- Do you invite more people?
It's a kid's party - don't make it about the adults. Your kid can't be on everyone's A list. If the kid is fine than everything's fine.
Anonymous
Post 09/07/2017 11:24     Subject: Re:Birthday Party Cancellations- Do you invite more people?
I used to be in the "it's rude" group, but I've changed my mind. My child has gotten some "B-list" invitations, and DC had just as much as if they had been "A-list" invitations. Having had to work with my child to cut the invitation list down to 10 or whatever the limit is, I am fully aware that some very good friends just don't make the cut sometimes. It's not that you don't want them there.

It helps that for the most part I have a couple-years or more relationship with the parents of the kids. If it's just a couple days after the first round of invitations went out, I'll let DC invite more people without a question. If we get to the point where the invitations have been out for a couple of weeks, or there's less than a week before the party, I'll send a personal email to the parents extending an invitation. I suppose it's possible they gossip about my lack of manners behind my back, but they all seem polite enough and even those who decline are polite about it. Mostly, it's acceptances and parents who understand the struggle of birthday party attendee limits.
Anonymous
Post 09/07/2017 09:21     Subject: Re:Birthday Party Cancellations- Do you invite more people?
OP here. I had already invited the siblings of those attending who were the appropriate age for the party. I decided to extend an invite to a few of her older brother's friends, in case they come. Not sure if they will want to attend a younger kids party, but it seemed more like inviting them to a fun play date than as Plan B birthday party attendee. Told the parents the truth, we have extra space and would love to have their kid come to play with older brother at the party.

Anonymous
Post 09/07/2017 08:42     Subject: Birthday Party Cancellations- Do you invite more people?
Tacky.
Anonymous
Post 09/07/2017 08:39     Subject: Birthday Party Cancellations- Do you invite more people?
I hope it is ok to do so. The rule in our family is that you must invite any kids who invited you to their parties if you actually attended their parties. But if those kids decline, you can invite other kids that you may be interested in getting to know, neighbors, etc.
Anonymous
Post 09/07/2017 08:37     Subject: Re:Birthday Party Cancellations- Do you invite more people?
Both of our kids have summer birthdays. Every year we tried something different to get the right number to attend.

Inviting at the last minute is MUCH better than having one too many and having a sibling have to watch, I promise.
Anonymous
Post 09/07/2017 07:40     Subject: Birthday Party Cancellations- Do you invite more people?
We have invited friends late. In one situation, I mis-typed the address into evite. The other, my daughter swore that she had the person on her guest list and I missed it.

For both invites I sent an email as opposed to just the evite link.
Anonymous
Post 09/07/2017 06:20     Subject: Birthday Party Cancellations- Do you invite more people?
I would invite any neighbor kids or other people you happen to run into where you can make it seem casual, not last minute or an afterthought
Anonymous
Post 09/07/2017 05:01     Subject: Birthday Party Cancellations- Do you invite more people?
Anonymous wrote:My DD has gotten the last minute invites and we were not offended.


yep. happy to go if we are free. I know exactly why we got the late invite and don't care and kid doesn't have any idea, just happy for a party.