I screwed up -- now what?

august06mom

So I guess I passed out DS's bday invitations too early. I handed them out a month early, and most people on here agreed that was too much time. Now almost no one has RSVP'd. We gave out 22 -- two girls have responded. DS is SO excited about his party and he's going to be devastated if no one comes. It's next weekend. I know we might still get a few more responses, but I have  a feeling people either forgot about it, or maybe they don't want to RSVP because it's been so long? I don't know what to do.  

ridesbuttons

I'd call your DS's top 5 and ask them if they are coming.  22 is a huge number!  A party of 4-6 kids is more fun for everyone, IMO.  Aim for that and have fun no matter what.

L D

Is there anyway to contact them?

I gave out my girls 2.5wks out and still had people tell me afterwards that they totally forgot.  I was really bummed because I put a lot of work into it and the girls were super excited.  They still had a blast.  

 

august06mom

Thanks. I agree that 22 is a huge number -- we invited everyone in his class. I was hoping we'd get 7 or 8 since I know summer is a busy time for everyone.

shouldbworkin

I don't think that's too far in advance during the summer or a screw up at all.  I just think that at some schools, people don't RSVP.  Give them all a call this weekend if you have a class list and see if they are still coming. 

Zenya

shouldbworkin:

I don't think that's too far in advance during the summer or a screw up at all.  I just think that at some schools, people don't RSVP.  Give them all a call this weekend if you have a class list and see if they are still coming. 

agree! a month is totally normal around here.   

tammy79

I don't think you screwed up at all, you gave plenty of time/noticed. Sadly same thing is happening with us, I passed out the invitation 2 weeks ago for DS's party this saturday, and only a hand full of people have replied and they all said no. His best friend is coming, and that's all we know, not much we can, we still plan on throwing him his party no matter what. 

I think summer birthdays when school is not in session is just harder since everyone has plans.  

july05bride2

i made little reminders for the kids the week of the party and had the teacher slip the reminders into the kid's school folders.  i included the time, location, date, and RSVP phone number.  no biggie and i only did it after another parent had done the same!

Mickschick

Do you have the parents email addresses? This way you could send out a little e-reminde from evite or something just to get a better idea about numbers.

I'm a direct sales consultant and I mail out all the invites for my hosts and I mail them out a month- 3 weeks before the party so I don't think that you screwed up at all!

Jodi&Joe

Following up, in any way shape or form, to a mailed invite just screams DESPERATE to me.  It's......weird, IMO.  Esp the little reminders in their backpacks.  It's like "PLLLLLEEAAAASSEEEE come to my kids party!" 

I can understand WHY it's done (planning purposes, meals, favors, etc) but it still isn't cool, IMO.

 

Cbidt's girl

Jodi&Joe:

Following up, in any way shape or form, to a mailed invite just screams DESPERATE to me.  It's......weird, IMO.  Esp the little reminders in their backpacks.  It's like "PLLLLLEEAAAASSEEEE come to my kids party!" 

I can understand WHY it's done (planning purposes, meals, favors, etc) but it still isn't cool, IMO.

 

evite reminders are basically standard in my kids' classes. I dint give them a second thought.

august06mom

Cbidt's girl:

Jodi&Joe:

Following up, in any way shape or form, to a mailed invite just screams DESPERATE to me.  It's......weird, IMO.  Esp the little reminders in their backpacks.  It's like "PLLLLLEEAAAASSEEEE come to my kids party!" 

I can understand WHY it's done (planning purposes, meals, favors, etc) but it still isn't cool, IMO.

 

evite reminders are basically standard in my kids' classes. I dint give them a second thought.

Sigh. It screams desperate to me too, but I have no idea if they're done because I always RSVP. Is it better to look desperate and potentially have a few more kids come, thus avoiding DS's devastation? I'm leaning toward yes ...

Zenya

did you do email or phone # for your RSVP? an email reminder might be less awkward

august06mom

I put my phone and email. I have an email list with most of the kids' parents in the class -- that's the only way I could see contacting them. I'm way too shy and awkward to cold-call these people I've barely spoken to before.

Zenya

Definitely email then.  Just say something like 'trying to get a final headcount'.

shouldbworkin

Jodi&Joe:

Following up, in any way shape or form, to a mailed invite just screams DESPERATE to me.  It's......weird, IMO.  Esp the little reminders in their backpacks.  It's like "PLLLLLEEAAAASSEEEE come to my kids party!" 

I can understand WHY it's done (planning purposes, meals, favors, etc) but it still isn't cool, IMO.

 

Jodi, you know I love you, but ... I couldn't really care less what parents who don't have the decency to RSVP to an invitation think about me calling them to see if they're coming.  We received 2 calls about parties we didn't RSVP to this year, turns out the invites never made it home.  Better safe than sorry, IMO.  They were good friends of DS's and he would have been hurt to not be invited. 

lollitots

I don't think a month is too early. Our calendar fills up fast, so I would have liked to have the notice. I just think alot of people don't RVSP or wait until the last second to see if something better comes up. It drives me crazy. Summer parties are hard because so much is going on. I would call his BFFs and check on them and consider it a good thing if it is small. DD had her entire class show up, only one no, so I got stuck having a party for 21 kindergarteners. It was crazy. So glad I didn't invite friends kids. I am sure that your son will have fun no matter what and he will not even notice the missing people.

jlw2505

I would follow up with an email to those that have not responded and if you don't have email, get a note to them or call them.  It can simple be something along the lines of "Just a reminder that DS's party is Sat and I wanted to verify if childs name is coming".

Ciarrai

I know how much the ladies on here hat eevite, but this is why I love them. People are more likely to RSVP (in my experience) and no one seems to mind the reminder emails (except Jodi, I guess). Both the evites and reminder emails are pretty standard around here. I like both because I can RSVP at midnight or whenever and I get a reminder so I don't flake on it.

Lisa102304

I would love a reminder email for RSVPing or attending the party! People are busy, they forget. Also, I don't think it looks desperate because it is for your kid - not you. It is nit like you are begging people to cone to YOUR birthday and be your friend. It is for your child, and I am sure most parents understand that you are doing it to ensure your child has all of his friends there!