should I cancel the party??

[An2net]

hey there,

I am so angry right now and need your suggestions on what I should do. :mad: Our baby turns 1 in a few weeks (sniff, sniff...it went so fast!!) and we sent out invites to family and friends for a little BBQ party at a local park with a sandpit etc. Great for kids.

Seems as though a lot of people are going to be busy that particular day (or are pretending to be!!) as well as my own sister who is my sons Godmother!!!! Why is everyone being like this? They all enjoy it when we go to their kids parties with presents in tow, but as soon as they all have to spend money to come to my sons b'day, they're too busy!! Do you think it's the whole outdoor/park thing which has turned people off? Anyway, apart from our parents and 2 sets of friends, I don't think many more are coming and I'm pretty embarrassed too. Should we just cancel the whole thing or will this be rude for the ones that did say they were coming?

DH thinks we should just scrap the whole idea and use the money that we had saved for the party on a little weekend away, just the three of us. I seem to think it's a good idea.

What would you do?

An2net

[Manxie]

Hi An2net

I'm sorry that not many people are going to be able to come to your DS's party. I found that for DD's people were just slack on the RSVP front and I had to chase them for a reply, do you definately know that people are not comming.

If it was me I'd have the party anyway as I wouldnt want the parents to miss out but maybe just have something small at home and then use the money you save to go away the following weekend?

I hope you have a brilliant day whatever you decide

[Niki]

if its only goin to be a few ppl u could have it at home :D it does seem rude so many arnt going

[InSaneOne]

manxie idea seems good. that is what i would do. but check with the people who haven't rsvp'ed just in case they are comming.

[xkwzit]

I wouldn't choose to cancel it. It sounds lovely, why miss out because some ppl aren't coming? At least with fewer ppl it will be less stessful for you (and less costly to cater). You could still have a party AND go away for the weekend.

Cheers

[JeSsIkA]

I would still have the party.. no reason for bubba to miss out.. plus the less people that come the more money you save..
i think that bdays are all about pressies.. making the child feel like they are the most imporatnt person for one day...and everyone should fuss over them.
i would be very cut if my sis didnt come to DD or DS bday.. that is just not exceptable.. unless of cause there is a very very good reason.. and
all family should make the point to vist and bring the baby/child a pressie.. espcaially if you always by there kids pressies.. as i always do..

so have the party and enjoy the day!!

[2SPUNKRATZ]

no way, i wouldnt cancel it. if those people dont wanna make an effort then sc**w them. its your kids day. not theres. so dont show concern for them not wanting to come. its not about them.

[Fitmumma]

Hiya An2net:wave:
I think I would cancel the party, a weekend away with the three of you sounds nice & your little DS will be with the two most important people that love him the most:yelclap: Whatever you decide I hope you all enjoy the day:)

[poshBecks]

No , dont cancel!!! You will all have a good time anyway!! Like the others said, with smaller numbers you could probably afford to do both!! :)

Dont let it bother you... I had about 8 people ring me on the day of my 21st to say they couldn't come.... most for lamo reasons:shame: .... I still had fun!! :p

[An2net]

thx girls for your input.

I'm still in two minds about the whole thing. DH and I just had another arguement about it with him saying that the next time we're invited to a kids b'day party - we're going to be busy too!! This whole thing which I thought was going to be such a special day has just turned out to be one big headache. At least we got to find out who our real friends are!!

I think we might just have the grandparents over for the cake and go away the following weekend.

I need a panadol.

An2net

[angelwinks]

I feel sorry for your kid. My dh's family all did this for our wedding. They were all too busy or wanted US to change dates around fishing trips etc so we thought screw them all and went and eloped.
I would go to the park coz baby will love it but only cater for those that are coming. If any extras turn up say I thought thats what RSVP's were for. Thanks for coming hope you have eaten already.
Then again if its raining stay at home and tell those that are coming that you've changed venue due to weather. At least you dont have to make a lot of phone calls and its cheaper to cater for. Think of the positives not the negatives coz they'll only bring you down.. You just think about bub's day and care about that not whos coming.

[sunnyflower]

so sorry to hear about your party,esp your sister,that's a bit slack.don't cancel,just have fun anyway and have fun with the people who are turning up.just a tip for next year,..i don't know how much notice you gave buti always find that people are so busy these days nad always plan ahead so i always give at least 4-5 weeks notice for my son's birthday and i never have much trouble.i really hope you enjoy your child's special day!!

[zenifa]

My DD had her 1st birthday party yesterday:smiliedance: (yes I'm still very exhausted :sleeping: ). We also had the party in a local park and invited close family (both sets of grandparents, auntie/uncle/cousin) and some friends. It was quite small, about 25 in total (including kids) and we preferred it that way!! A lot of people we invited didn't have the public holiday yesterday, so they were working and others didn't even RSVP :thumbsdown:

Advice from my personal experience - Don't cancel the party, as its a special day for your DS and for you and DH (celebrating surviving the first year as parents), if you have contacted people and the turnout is low, have it at home, on the cheap, just cake and some snacks and use the rest of the money to have a family outing/treat/weekend away:yes: !!

Its really not worth stressing and arguing about - try to remember its meant to be fun and a celebration. Keep it short and simple and remember to enjoy yourselves!! Good luck with it!!