RSVP questions

[happygirl]

My daughter birthday party is coming up, I'm having the party at a pizza place, I need to give the place a head count 3 days before the party. I want to make sure I get enough pizza for the kids. I would hate to run out but I don't want to have to much left over. I was thinking about putting on the inviation kids that RSVP lunch is provided. Is that rude to put? If kids that come and don't RSVP there is a buffet there parents could pay for.

 

[golfgal]

Yes, that is rude but you could put it in such a way that parents know you need a response. I would put your email address and something along the lines that please let me know if your child is able to attend or not. This way they know you want a response either way. I think a lot of people just assume that if they aren't coming they don't have to let you know.

 

[okeydokey]

No not rude. No matter what you put on the invitation, 60% of people will not respond anyway. I always call a few days in advance to get a head count if I really need to know.

 

[Disney Doll]

Why not put "Please let me know by X date whether or not your child will be coming so I can give a head count to the restaurant. Make "X Date" about 3 days before you actually need to give the place the head count. Then you can use those extra 3 days to make the calls to people who will not RSVP. I'd also probably tell them 1 or 2 more than I know are coming, because there will be some straggler...there always is.

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

My daughter birthday party is coming up, I'm having the party at a pizza place, I need to give the place a head count 3 days before the party. I want to make sure I get enough pizza for the kids. I would hate to run out but I don't want to have to much left over. I was thinking about putting on the inviation kids that RSVP lunch is provided. Is that rude to put? If kids that come and don't RSVP there is a buffet there parents could pay for.

Just list a firm RSVP date for the head-count for food. If they don't RSVP and miss out... oh well.

 

[happygirl]

Thanks everyone, anyone have any words of wisdom

 

[itsheresomewhere]

How I do ours is , I "forget" to put the place of the party on the invite so they have to rsvp. It has worked very well for us.

 

[Bren's Mom]

How I do ours is , I "forget" to put the place of the party on the invite so they have to rsvp. It has worked very well for us.

Yup, this is what I was going to say!

This is a win-win...you get an accurate head count AND you know that no one will just 'show up' last mintue!

 

[mjkacmom]

Why not put "Please let me know by X date whether or not your child will be coming so I can give a head count to the restaurant. Make "X Date" about 3 days before you actually need to give the place the head count. Then you can use those extra 3 days to make the calls to people who will not RSVP. I'd also probably tell them 1 or 2 more than I know are coming, because there will be some straggler...there always is.

This - I've hosted dozens of parties, and there were only a couple where everyone RSVP'd.

 

[jeepgirl30]

In the past we've had a very low RSVP rate for DDs parties. For whatever reason, DS has had better results. However, I just plan for extras. You can always take leftover pizza home.

While I do get irritated with the lack of politeness with people not RSVP'ing, I know people are really busy. I don't think people purposely don't rsvp as much as they just forget or don't realize the importance. I may need to refer back to this next month for DS's party!

However why make the kids feel left out and not get pizza because the parents didn't rsvp? I understand wanting to stay within a certain budget but an extra couple slices shouldn't make a big difference.

 

[Rora]

I agree with the PPs who suggested not listing the location of the party. If you choose not to do that, make the RSVP date at least a week before the party and if someone chooses not to RSVP, then they can pay for the buffet.

 

[Tinkermommy]

My daughter birthday party is coming up, I'm having the party at a pizza place, I need to give the place a head count 3 days before the party. I want to make sure I get enough pizza for the kids. I would hate to run out but I don't want to have to much left over. I was thinking about putting on the inviation kids that RSVP lunch is provided. Is that rude to put? If kids that come and don't RSVP there is a buffet there parents could pay for.

Yes it is rude.

Seriously if the parent didn't RSVP and just showed up you would not give the child pizza?? They are little kids and can't help it if their mom or dad doesn't RSVP.

It's a pizza place give them a number and if you need more can they make another one. A pizza place has never refused to sell me more pizza.

 

[PollyannaMom]

I've just stopped using the term "RSVP" at all, as folks tend to interpret it in different ways. Instead, I write something like "Please let me know by x date whether you will be coming or not, as I have to give a head count to x venue." I set the RSVP date, as someone said, before I really need it, in case I do have to phone a few, but it at least reduces the number of calls to be made.

 

[akhenaten]

Yes it is rude.

Seriously if the parent didn't RSVP and just showed up you would not give the child pizza?? They are little kids and can't help it if their mom or dad doesn't RSVP.

It's a pizza place give them a number and if you need more can they make another one. A pizza place has never refused to sell me more pizza.

I am with you Tinkermommy!! i would rather have extra and serve my guests!! (I also do not know of a pizza place that would not be able to make an additional pie.... and any extra pizza can be taken home and frozen!)

 

[kacaju]

How I do ours is , I "forget" to put the place of the party on the invite so they have to rsvp. It has worked very well for us.

I do not mean to be rude, but if you are inviting the whole class to your kids party (and I am assuming this based on the many posts about this subject) and I have no idea who you or your kid is, I would not bother responding at all if you left out that info.

 

[itsheresomewhere]

I do not mean to be rude, but if you are inviting the whole class to your kids party (and I am assuming this based on the many posts about this subject) and I have no idea who you or your kid is, I would not bother responding at all if you left out that info.

It works very well. Where I live hardly any rsvps and this grabs the parents attention. I don't invite the whole class anymore. It kinda makes you stop and think.

 

[kacaju]

It works very well. Where I live hardly any rsvps and this grabs the parents attention. I don't invite the whole class anymore. It kinda makes you stop and think.

well, you gotta do what works!! LOL!! My girls are 17, 14 and 10 I have never ever have had problems with the RSVP's. They always have had home parties and they normally invite only their closest friends.