No one really rsvp'd! How much should I buy for?

[dntd]

My DD's birthday is tomorrow, I invited 31 kids, 3 are guaranteed as they are relatives.3 kids parents revp'd 2yes, 1 no. So I am only expecting only 8 kids total but some people suck at rsvp's so hopefully more show up . My question is how much pizza to order? Should I just order 2- 24 slice pizza's and a veggie tray? I have small bags of chips, drinks enough to cover the kids and parents.Ordered 32 cup cakes( with cute pin wheels) it really isn't an issue of left overs, I'm more worried about not enough. As the venue was only $100 for up to 24 kids, including games/crafts ,a tshirt and poster for DD and private carousel rides for 1/2 an hour( on an old fashion carousel) and a booked shelter incase it rains it's really not that badly priced I just hope that at least a few kids come from her class as she's never had a real birthday party. She is going to have an out of this world candy buffet to top off a great day

 

[squirrel]

How annoying!

Do you have phone #'s of any of the parents?

I saw a great tip on here about a week ago. Next year don't fill in where the party is, put Will be announced when you RSVP. I'm going to make sure my sister knows about this for my niece's birthday. Makes things so much easier.

IF you have left over pizza, you could freeze it and re-heat later.

 

[dntd]

I invited her who class which is 27 kids, due to privacy issues they don't give out phone numbers and as she is bused I never get to see the parents unless we attend other kids parties. I don't know many of her school friends as she's not quite at the age were the parents let the kids go off on their own.

 

[ancestry]

I invited her who class which is 27 kids, due to privacy issues they don't give out phone numbers and as she is bused I never get to see the parents unless we attend other kids parties. I don't know many of her school friends as she's not quite at the age were the parents let the kids go off on their own.

Just a thought...maybe the invitations never made it to the parents. I know with my son I used to find invitations weeks after they were given to him.

Also I only RSVP if we are going. I didn't realize an RSVP was required for a not attending.

Third though I have twins and when they were younger they only went to parties when I knew the parents and they knew the kids outside of school. For me the reason was financial at the time. There were some months where they would be invited to 6 parties between them. I didn't have it in the budget to buy 6 presents so to keep it fair they often didn't go at all.

Good luck! Your food suggestion sounds like a good quantity.

 

[spacemountainmom]

The person puts RSVP on the invitation because they want to know whether or not the invitee is coming. Why would you only respond if you are coming? If you do not respond at all, the poor host is left wondering whether or not you are attending.

My ds has a summer birthday. I mail the invitations and am always left wondering who is going to show up. I have even tried asking for response via email and people still don't respond. I am glad we are getting to the age where bday parties are done!

 

[Swimalie]

Is there any chance you can order the pizza after the party starts? Then you'd know how many to buy for.

 

[stich1fan]

That stinks....I am a big planned and would be really annoyed.

 

[dntd]

Ordering after the party starts will be a bit though as I don't think there is a pizza joint within reasonable distance. This is why I stopped doing parties along time ago and started to just stick with a fun day for the family,but she really wanted a party this year.

 

[snowy76]

The person puts RSVP on the invitation because they want to know whether or not the invitee is coming. Why would you only respond if you are coming? If you do not respond at all, the poor host is left wondering whether or not you are attending.

Maybe folks don't really know that RSVP is French for "please respond." Not, "please tell us when you decide to come."

Besides, if I was invited to a party, I'd want to say "thanks for the invitation, but we can't make it." It's common courtesy IMO to thank someone for an invite, whether you can attend or not. OP, that stinks - good luck!

ETA: I didn't mean the above sarcastically. I really think many people don't know what RSVP means or where it comes from, so they don't respond as it's intended. Hope I didn't offend anyone!

 

[Jeff_G]

From past experiences, I don’t think you will have very many people come. Out of the 27 kids I would be surprised of more than two or three show up. This has been my experience, of course every class / school is different. As for the pizza don’t forget the Adults as well, they may want a slice or two. It was for this reason we stopped inviting a tone of people to our kids birthday parties, our kids would get upset when not everyone shows up and it’s a pain to plan around. Now they get to invite one or two friends plus family members.

 

[EvangelineG]

How annoying! We have had similar experiences, usually only one or two additional children who haven't RSVP'ed come, but at one party in particular we got lots of RSVPs the morning of the party, and many who just showed up. To be safe, I would order the extra pizza and then freeze the leftovers.

And yes, definitely RSVP either way. A lot of work and expense goes into hosting parties, and the least you can do to show appreciation for being invited is to RSVP.

 

[okeydokey]

Just a thought...maybe the invitations never made it to the parents. I know with my son I used to find invitations weeks after they were given to him.

Also I only RSVP if we are going. I didn't realize an RSVP was required for a not attending.

Third though I have twins and when they were younger they only went to parties when I knew the parents and they knew the kids outside of school. For me the reason was financial at the time. There were some months where they would be invited to 6 parties between them. I didn't have it in the budget to buy 6 presents so to keep it fair they often didn't go at all.

Good luck! Your food suggestion sounds like a good quantity.

Required to let them know if you are attending or not attending.

 

[carebee21]

How annoying!

Do you have phone #'s of any of the parents?

I saw a great tip on here about a week ago. Next year don't fill in where the party is, put Will be announced when you RSVP. I'm going to make sure my sister knows about this for my niece's birthday. Makes things so much easier.

Do people really do this? I semi base whether we go to parties on the locations. Around here, people do parties all over town, some as far as 30-45 minutes away, even longer if it's during rush hour. Unless they're a super close friend/family, we usually skip those.

And we also skip bowling parties, just because of a weird accident my son had at one and a fear of bowling balls, but I could see people skipping swimming parties if their child couldn't swim, skating parties if their child hates skating or movie parties where they knew they were seeing the movie as a family, etc.

To the OP, around here, if they don't RSVP, it's usually because they're not coming.

 

[squirrel]

Do people really do this? I semi base whether we go to parties on the locations. Around here, people do parties all over town, some as far as 30-45 minutes away, even longer if it's during rush hour. Unless they're a super close friend/family, we usually skip those.

And we also skip bowling parties, just because of a weird accident my son had at one and a fear of bowling balls, but I could see people skipping swimming parties if their child couldn't swim, skating parties if their child hates skating or movie parties where they knew they were seeing the movie as a family, etc.

To the OP, around here, if they don't RSVP, it's usually because they're not coming.

I guess they do. The other thread had other posters saying they did it like that. I don't have kids but I would find it very annoying to not know the # of kids attending. Who wants a bunch of left over food, goodie bags, party supplies, etc.

I think it's an excellent idea. If they don't call then they can't just show up as they don't know where to go.

My niece is a chicken and doesn't like swimming. If my sister RSVP to a party and found out that is what they were doing she would ask, if she could come and hang out at the pool with her daughter as she doesn't swim well. I don't know how long ago your son's accident was or what exactly happened, but you should try bowling again and show him that it is safe and fun. If my sister avoided everything my niece didn't like she wouldn't do anything. We took her to the school playground last weekend and made her climb on it. The school year is almost over and she just stands around all recess and lunch break. She now can get up and go down the slide.

 

[java]

beyond annoying! Sorry and hope your daughter has a nice day.
My SIL is having a party today- that we rsvp'd for now 3 of us can't make it due to illness- I called to tell her and asked how many she was having.

She said 37
but only 9 have rsvp'd yes she is assuming the rest are showing up. (which knowing my inlaws she's probably right!)

 

[Dizneydaz]

I too would assume that if the kids from her class didn't RSVP then most of them are a no. I would figure maybe a couple more kids.

When throwing parties it can be very stressful when someone doesn't RSVP. And yes, your are supposed to RSVP yes or no. Luckily my DD11 is no longer at the age when we have to ask the whole class. Last party we had I sent out paper invites with a RSVP deadline (no RSVPs back from that) and then followed up with electronic invites as well. Then I sent out a electronic reminder. I think of all the Yes RSVPs I got there was only 1 no show (be prepared for this as well).

I always think that the parents who didn't RSVP are the ones who don't throw parties-they don't know what it's like to plan one (not counting those whose invites go MIA).

If you run out of pizza I'm sure you'll have plenty of other food. Have a great party and next time (if there is a next time) see if your DD can get the phone numbers or emails of only those she wants to invite. Makes it much simpler but be prepared to follow up. I also posted on Facebook about DD's party and got some RSVPs that way as well.

to your DD!

 

[EclecticWAHM]

I'd order a little extra, but pretty much just for those who RSVP'd. If people who didn't RSVP show up, you can say "Oh! We weren't expecting you, I hope we have enough food!" Then maybe they'll get the hint that their rudeness in not responding is a PITA for everyone involved. I mean really - how hard is it to pick up the phone or email and say "we're coming" or "sorry we can't make it." It's flat out rude to not respond at all to an invitation. I can't imagine why anyone would think that's acceptable to not respond even if they are not coming. Rude.

 

[disneymom2003]

It's very rude not to reply one way or the other especially for weddings. Buying an extra pizza or 2 is expensive but paying for meals at a wedding is crazy. I say count on a couple of extra kids and let it go at that. What I would do if some show up that did not RSVP I would let the parents know. "OH I was not expecting your child since you did not RSVP" Of course I would let the kid stay.

 

[Trinity524]

This happens to me every year. Nobody replies and everyone shows up late. DS is three! I have resolved to having parties outside my home as when it's over, it's over.

As for how many people, I would buy snacks and order the pizza after people get there. This is what I did for Chuck E Cheeses.

 

[tinkarooni]

This is such a huge pet peeve of mine. OP just order a little extra, but not too much, if they didn't call (which is already rude) only a couple at most will be even ruder and show up without calling.

We've had this problem for years.....DD last party (also a summer birthday) was a sleepover. We were well into dinner and the first craft when a child showed up that I had no idea was coming, and than even came late. My DD who was turning 10 said to her friend....."I didn't know you were coming!" really loud...... out of the mouths of babes. I had to throw some more food on the grill for her....the mother dumped her off, left without leaving an emergency phone and....wait for it......was of course late picking her up the next day......ruder and ruder.

We stick to a couple of close friends invited to our family party nowadays, or maybe a couple of friends to the movies.