Anonymous
Post 02/09/2026 10:15     Subject: Birthday party no shows
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I know a lot of my invitations get put in my spam and they are missed!! send a direct email to them checking in to make sure they got it or a text


So check your spam. Don’t your kids like to be included?
I have four kids and can barely keep up with my own emails let alone all these invitations so yeah we’re just getting by Day to day over here and if I missed your kids birthday invitation, I’m sorry.
Anonymous
Post 02/09/2026 10:10     Subject: Re:Birthday party no shows
I think there are universal rules and etiquette of hosting events and hospitality that most people can't be bothered to follow in this country. The lack of generosity towards guests is so shocking sometimes that I wonder if it is even worth it for anyone to attend any party.

As an immigrant, I have adapted and made sure that all my celebrations and events are well attended and go as planned. I would hate to be a poor host. I have my own process in place so that my kids are never disappointed and no one ever loses face.

Anonymous
Post 02/09/2026 09:26     Subject: Birthday party no shows
Anonymous wrote:Stop doing parties like this. There really is no reason. You don’t need a special “party package” to enjoy any venue. Invite a few kids, pay for them when they get dropped off, order a pizza there if you can or take the kids back to your house for cake and ice cream. Two adult drivers should be able to transport at least kids. This is what we do and it’s so much nicer than the party package stuff.


So the solution is to not have a party your child wants because some guests are rude and don’t show?
Anonymous
Post 02/09/2026 08:17     Subject: Re:Birthday party no shows
⬆️

Certainly, not “uncertainly.” Weird typo.
Anonymous
Post 02/09/2026 08:16     Subject: Birthday party no shows
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:If they don’t open it or respond, they aren’t interested. It’s an invitation not a summons.


OP here. I am not talking about people who don’t respond. I am talking about people who RSVP yes and then I pay for their kid and they don’t show up.

I’m totally fine with people not responding or RSVPing no. I’m even ok with people texting me at the very last minute to say they can’t come. I had a person say they were sick and I let a sibling join. I’m annoyed at the person who just didn’t show up and I am out $50. It is the principle more than the actual cost but the cost is annoying also.


Don’t invite them next time. And where are you paying $50/kid? Or are you including the cost of fruit punch, pizza,
and cake? Because you can take all that as leftovers. Individually wrap any cake slices and freeze them.

You also may across as way too intense. Maybe the other parents pick up on that and realize they’re not into it? They shouldn’t RSVP yes and not show, but you seem very, very angry.

🤷🏼‍♀️


You havent hosted a fun bday party have you. I treated my kid to a climbing party and it was $60 a kid with no food. I also had a race car party that was $50/kid for them to have 3 or 4 races.


Actually I go all out at pretty awesome venues. I’m happy my kids enjoy their parties and uncertainly don’t calculate the cost per head. I pay the bill and move on.

I just make it a fun party and enjoy my kids’ happiness and how they interact with their friends. And I host events at my own home pretty often.

So 🤷🏼‍♀️
Anonymous
Post 02/09/2026 08:15     Subject: Birthday party no shows
Anonymous wrote:Stop doing parties like this. There really is no reason. You don’t need a special “party package” to enjoy any venue. Invite a few kids, pay for them when they get dropped off, order a pizza there if you can or take the kids back to your house for cake and ice cream. Two adult drivers should be able to transport at least kids. This is what we do and it’s so much nicer than the party package stuff.


This really depends on the venue- someone mentioned a climibing party, I don't think that's something you can just do ad hoc, there are instructors leading the group. TBH we did this one year and that was my DC's favorite party, it was low key in the sense that you brought all your own food. But it's still not a cheap party per person, I recall we limited how many kids he coould invite.

Another year we did Dave and Buster's without a formal party package and just paid for the kids game cards and ordered food, but I'm really not sure it worked out any cheaper.
Anonymous
Post 02/09/2026 08:10     Subject: Birthday party no shows
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:If they don’t open it or respond, they aren’t interested. It’s an invitation not a summons.


OP here. I am not talking about people who don’t respond. I am talking about people who RSVP yes and then I pay for their kid and they don’t show up.

I’m totally fine with people not responding or RSVPing no. I’m even ok with people texting me at the very last minute to say they can’t come. I had a person say they were sick and I let a sibling join. I’m annoyed at the person who just didn’t show up and I am out $50. It is the principle more than the actual cost but the cost is annoying also.


Don’t invite them next time. And where are you paying $50/kid? Or are you including the cost of fruit punch, pizza,
and cake? Because you can take all that as leftovers. Individually wrap any cake slices and freeze them.

You also may across as way too intense. Maybe the other parents pick up on that and realize they’re not into it? They shouldn’t RSVP yes and not show, but you seem very, very angry.

🤷🏼‍♀️


Not OP but I had the same thing happen this past weekend- DS is in 4th grade and invited 10 kids total, 8 responded yes then 2 never showed up and I didn't get a cancellation text or anything. I don't even really know the parents, we are relatively new to the school and of the 2 no-shows I've met 1 parent in passing. I find it rude and understand why OP finds it rude- venting on an anonymous meesage board does not mean we are rampaging around kids' events with angry intense faces. Even if that was the case and the parents were scared by our intensity they should just reply "no" to begin with.


This. Agree completely.
Anonymous
Post 02/09/2026 08:04     Subject: Birthday party no shows
Stop doing parties like this. There really is no reason. You don’t need a special “party package” to enjoy any venue. Invite a few kids, pay for them when they get dropped off, order a pizza there if you can or take the kids back to your house for cake and ice cream. Two adult drivers should be able to transport at least kids. This is what we do and it’s so much nicer than the party package stuff.
Anonymous
Post 02/09/2026 07:22     Subject: Birthday party no shows
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:If they don’t open it or respond, they aren’t interested. It’s an invitation not a summons.


OP here. I am not talking about people who don’t respond. I am talking about people who RSVP yes and then I pay for their kid and they don’t show up.

I’m totally fine with people not responding or RSVPing no. I’m even ok with people texting me at the very last minute to say they can’t come. I had a person say they were sick and I let a sibling join. I’m annoyed at the person who just didn’t show up and I am out $50. It is the principle more than the actual cost but the cost is annoying also.


Don’t invite them next time. And where are you paying $50/kid? Or are you including the cost of fruit punch, pizza,
and cake? Because you can take all that as leftovers. Individually wrap any cake slices and freeze them.

You also may across as way too intense. Maybe the other parents pick up on that and realize they’re not into it? They shouldn’t RSVP yes and not show, but you seem very, very angry.

🤷🏼‍♀️


You havent hosted a fun bday party have you. I treated my kid to a climbing party and it was $60 a kid with no food. I also had a race car party that was $50/kid for them to have 3 or 4 races.
+1
Anonymous
Post 02/09/2026 06:10     Subject: Birthday party no shows
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:If they don’t open it or respond, they aren’t interested. It’s an invitation not a summons.


OP here. I am not talking about people who don’t respond. I am talking about people who RSVP yes and then I pay for their kid and they don’t show up.

I’m totally fine with people not responding or RSVPing no. I’m even ok with people texting me at the very last minute to say they can’t come. I had a person say they were sick and I let a sibling join. I’m annoyed at the person who just didn’t show up and I am out $50. It is the principle more than the actual cost but the cost is annoying also.


Don’t invite them next time. And where are you paying $50/kid? Or are you including the cost of fruit punch, pizza,
and cake? Because you can take all that as leftovers. Individually wrap any cake slices and freeze them.

You also may across as way too intense. Maybe the other parents pick up on that and realize they’re not into it? They shouldn’t RSVP yes and not show, but you seem very, very angry.

🤷🏼‍♀️


Not OP but I had the same thing happen this past weekend- DS is in 4th grade and invited 10 kids total, 8 responded yes then 2 never showed up and I didn't get a cancellation text or anything. I don't even really know the parents, we are relatively new to the school and of the 2 no-shows I've met 1 parent in passing. I find it rude and understand why OP finds it rude- venting on an anonymous meesage board does not mean we are rampaging around kids' events with angry intense faces. Even if that was the case and the parents were scared by our intensity they should just reply "no" to begin with.
Anonymous
Post 02/08/2026 20:19     Subject: Birthday party no shows
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:If they don’t open it or respond, they aren’t interested. It’s an invitation not a summons.


OP here. I am not talking about people who don’t respond. I am talking about people who RSVP yes and then I pay for their kid and they don’t show up.

I’m totally fine with people not responding or RSVPing no. I’m even ok with people texting me at the very last minute to say they can’t come. I had a person say they were sick and I let a sibling join. I’m annoyed at the person who just didn’t show up and I am out $50. It is the principle more than the actual cost but the cost is annoying also.


Don’t invite them next time. And where are you paying $50/kid? Or are you including the cost of fruit punch, pizza,
and cake? Because you can take all that as leftovers. Individually wrap any cake slices and freeze them.

You also may across as way too intense. Maybe the other parents pick up on that and realize they’re not into it? They shouldn’t RSVP yes and not show, but you seem very, very angry.

🤷🏼‍♀️


You havent hosted a fun bday party have you. I treated my kid to a climbing party and it was $60 a kid with no food. I also had a race car party that was $50/kid for them to have 3 or 4 races.
Anonymous
Post 02/08/2026 19:58     Subject: Birthday party no shows
I might’ve said “oh, we weren’t sure you were coming. But glad you could could make it.” Was it at your home or a venue? The venue might not even let some people in if strict headcount

PSA: let’s bring back the rsvp, everyone! Let people know if you’re coming

Anonymous
Post 02/08/2026 19:52     Subject: Birthday party no shows
We held bday party yesterday and 10 rsvped yes and 14 showed up
Anonymous
Post 02/08/2026 19:47     Subject: Birthday party no shows
For what it’s worth, I agree that people who cancel last minute (for anything other than sickness/family emergency) are pretty rude, particularly for a party at a venue. Another child could’ve had that place or parents could have saved money.
Anonymous
Post 02/08/2026 19:44     Subject: Birthday party no shows
Anonymous wrote:Good grief. I have many gmail accounts and glance at spam daily in case something I care about is there. Then I delete spam. Do people just leave hundreds there for 30mdays?
Looking at the headings in a mailbox does not get you malware.


I have 2,429 unread emails right now not including the spam folder. I'm not sure, but that might be just primary.