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

[Swimalie]

We had a good time but only 4 kids from school showed up, with a few family and friends it brought the number to 13. We did order too much, the adults got to eat and we had left overs for dinner. The candy buffet was a blast but as there were not as many kids as planned all the kids walked away with huge overloaded bags in which I told them to share with siblings/friends. She had the best time!

I'm glad it all went well. I was surprised at my son's last party that all, yes, every one of them responded. And, to my surprise, all said yes. Ack! We had 35 people in my house when you counted adults. I certainly didn't expect all of the kids to say yes but they did and my son had a blast.

 

[An_Island_Girl]

I'm so glad she had a wonderful time!

The RSVP thing irks me too! It takes two seconds to pick up the phone, or write a quick e-mail.
With a holiday weekend though, many families may have been vacationing? No excuse not to RSVP, but maybe why the attendance was so low?

 

[Dizneydaz]

So glad she had a great time!

And I totally forgot my other pet peeves. With everyone's kids being so busy and (over) scheduled we always have kids who have to come late or leave early. I used to feel bad for those who left early and didn't get their goodies, or missed out on crafts, etc. but I don't anymore. Besides, I have pretty much cut out goody bags.

Then there are the kids we come early and those who stay late. It used to be more of a problem but I let my DD know that when parents come to pick up their kids that they have to leave, no matter how much begging I hear "Can't I stay later, PLEASE!" I've explained to her that after being on my feet all day and doing all the party prep I just want to get back to our normal house. I have also explained to her (and she understands) that when she's a guest at a party that she can't stay late either. When I tell her it's time to go, it's time to go. Telling her this ahead of time has made this situation much easier.

DD's last party (10th birthday) was "Minute to Win It!" It was a great success and all the kids had a great time! Even with kids coming late and leaving early it all worked out. I was seriously considering doing one again for her 6th grade graduation but decided there was already too much going on with school, etc. I've really wanted to do a candy buffet party. Maybe for her birthday in Sept.? I think I'll use the idea of giving out the address when they RSVP. Especially since she'll be going to a new school and there will be a whole new group of kids (whose parents I won't know yet)

 

[we3peas]

Love the fact that my dd doesn't want parties. We stopped yearly ones at 5 yo and she had 1 more at 10. I told her she would only get special years from them on. She turned 13 this year and she wanted to go to Cirque Soleil. I asked several times if she wanted a party the answer was always NO!. As for going to parties she thinks it is pointless. You never get to spend time with your bday friend as there are always others around so she would rather have a day of fun over at each other's homes or do a sleepover just the 2 of them.

As for not responding to an RSVP that is just low class all the way. There's no excuse for being rude though people always try to find one. Everyone's busy, has family, works, has stuff to do...you are not special (maybe in your own mind, definitely NOT in mine!). I have said at my dd's 3rd bday. I'm sorry you did not respond -we don't have space for you. When you didn't respond we filled it with another person who was able to be here today, goodbye and thanks for stopping by!

 

[justintime]

I always RSVP. If I recieved an invite like that, I would RSVP "no". I have 3 kids with full schedules and I need to know where a party is before I say yes or no. For example, last month my son was invited to a party on a Friday evening at a party place that is about 40 minutes away. Between my husbands work schedule and my dd's softball games, I couldn't manage to get to a party that far away so we had to decline. If I don't know where aparty is until I call to RSVP then we will decline.

I agree with this 100%. I also always respond yes or no to a party. But if I received an invitation like this, I would just respond no. There is coordination that needs to happen with other children, work, sports, etc. If I don't know where it is, I can't figure it out, and I like to have it figured out before I call to respond. I don't want to be bothered with an invitation like this, and I would imagine others would be put off as well.

 

[albertamommyof4]

so glad that it was a awesome birthday