What would you do??

[Mishetta]

We have sent out bowling party invitations for my DS's 8th birthday. We sent them out 2 weeks ago & I wrote RSVP by June 21st. The bowling alley wants to know how many kids to expect. Okay....I still haven't heard from 4 families. I personally think not RSVP'ing is rude but that's just me. It makes me feel like some of them have been waiting to see if something better will come along. I say this only because 3 families called today!

We're supposed to call the bowling alley tomorrow to confirm the number of guests & I was wondering if I should call these other people to see if they are planning on attending or what. Is that bad manners to call to ask if they are coming or not since they were supposed to let me know today?? Obviously I would word it tactfully BUT it does set me off when I don't hear from the people I've invited! What would you do?

 

[CathyCanada]

I would call and ask. Sometimes people forget, it may not be that they are waiting for something better. I'm guilty of last minute replies because of forgetting. I'm sure they'd love to attend. Once they know that you have to give the count, they'll understand especially since they should have called you.

Hope it all works out. I'm sure it will!
CC

 

[DonnaS]

I wouldn't call, but that is because I'm a phonophobe. I'm really good about sending written RSVP's (the types in wedding invitations), but I have a hard time phoning in RSVPs. The phone makes me nervous. I'm not sure why. As it is, I put off calling until the last possible day. In other words, I would have been calling you today.

It probably would save you some stress in the long run if you called them. I did do that with people who didn't respond to my wedding invites. Besides, maybe the invites got lost in the mail. I missed an old roommates wedding because I never got the invite in the mail and I guess she thought I was just being rude and not RSVPing.

 

[RitaZ.]

My friend just went through this for her youngest DD's party.

If you have their phone numbers or know them, give them a call. I don't think it's necessarily a case of "waiting for something better", sometimes people forget and do it at the last minute. Also many families are on vacation/travelling during the summer.

Hope your DS has a great party!

 

[Mishetta]

Thanks for your responses.

Rita..I did think that possibly some people might be on vacation (since I have received "regret calls" to that effect.) Anyway, we figured next year we'd have his party earlier (like in May while school is still in session) so that we can avoid the vacation problems!

 

[CathyCanada]

I would call and ask. Sometimes people forget, it may not be that they are waiting for something better. I'm guilty of last minute replies because of forgetting. I'm sure they'd love to attend. Once they know that you have to give the count, they'll understand especially since they should have called you.

Hope it all works out. I'm sure it will!
CC

 

[jfulcer]

I'd call and ask. We did for DD's party. I called them and said "we think some invitations got lost or didn't make it to their destination, so we're calling to make sure". Wouldn't you know that people STILL didn't call back.

 

[snoopy]

There is NO excuse for not giving an RSVP, unless the invitation never meets its destination. I don't care how busy one is, its such bad manners not to RSVP.

I wouldn't hesitate to call, Mishetta (although I see the party is today, so I hope that you don't get an unexpected guests!).

 

[tiggerlover]

Hi Rose! This is one of my pet peeves, I can not stand when people do not RSVP, I think it is awfully rude for people not to. After having a similar problem last year I put in DS's invites RSVP, regrets only and I not only included a phone number, but my email address for those who are phone shy. And don't you know there were still three people who didn't RSVP. Given the circumstances where you need to know an exact number I would call the folks if possible, I would hate for you to not expect the children and then they show up (that happened to us last year too).

 

[jipsy]

Personally, I wouldn't call. I take a non-response as an "I'm not coming". I'd tell the bowling alley how many confirmations you have. If any of those 4 show up, I'm sure the bowling alley can accomodate - they won't turn down extra money. And if they do show up you can say "Oh, I'm sorry! You didn't reply to the invitation, so I assumed you weren't coming."

 

[Mishetta]

I didn't get a chance to call those that did not respond to the birthday party invite since I had company in from out of town & taking care of my Mom, but 2 out of the 4 that hadn't responded, did today.

(Snoopy ~ the party is next weekend 6/28 but the RSVP had 6/21 on it since the bowling alley wanted to know today.)

Jipsy ~ you're absolutely right, the bowling alley will take guests in with open arms...I also wanted to know though because I prepare "goodie" bags for the guests.

This year I just used plain brown paper lunch bags (the larger sized ones) & with red & blue markers, made stars on each bag. Then in each bag I placed a Patriotic water bottle, pinwheel, flag & chinese yoyo. I made the bags up 2 weeks ago (since I never know what my Mom's condition will be, I have to get things done as quickly as I can) & I made one for every child invited & put their names on the top of their bag. So, obviously now I have extras! I will just recycle all the items that are in the bags of the kids not coming.

I just pray that this party will happen. Again, this also depends on my Mom's condition.

 

[browneyes]

I would've called them also. I agree with the others, it was rude of those that didn't call to not call. Sorry you couldn't get around to calling them since you had visitors. It sounds like you throw an awesome party though. I know your ds and his friends will have so much fun.

{{hugs}} You're a great daughter and mother.

 

[Mishetta]

Browneyes ~ what a lovely thing to say that I'm a great daughter & mother. (Don't ask my son if he thinks I'm a great mother! ) I'm trying to make up to my DS what he's lost out on all year. Attention from ME. He's been "tossed" aside so many times (as well as the baby) due to my Mother being my priority right now, but the truth is that we always go over the top for our kids' birthday parties. We don't care if his guests bring gifts or not, we just want to celebrate our DS's life with all his fave people around him. LIFE is to be celebrated!

 

[epcotfan]

I wouldn't call. Isn't the whole point of mailing RSVP invitations to have the guest confirm whether they are coming or not? You shouldn't have to waste postage and then call on top of that. If they couldn't be bothered to reply I'd write them off as not coming.

 

[WDWfanatic288]

I would definately call them and ask.

sometimes people just forget, or as I have done before...lost the invitation! lol

I hope everything works out for you