birthday party guest list out of control for my 3yo ds

chris&michele

I'm involved with a moms club in my town and we are a group of about 15. When I first joined a little over a year ago it was about 10 of us. Whenever there was a child's birthday party, the whole group was invited. Over the summer, there were a lot of summer parties that were outside, and if that were the case it would make things so much easier, but my sons 3rd birthday is next month so it would need to be indoors. Since the group got bigger, we divided into 2 playgroups each week so it's more manageable to host a playgroup at home. I'm trying to plan a party for ds and to invite 15 moms with 1 or 2 kids each is a little much. I don't have a big house and cannot have a party at a place. I don't want to offend anyone by picking and choosing who I am closer too..but i'm not sure I have a choice. I also wanted to invite a couple of other friends of mine that have kids that my ds also play with. Has anyone else been in a similar situation? I was going to do a playdate party during the week from about 11-12:30 with a light lunch and cake..should I suck it up and invite everyone? chances are not everyone will come, some of the kids have preschool now and it seems everyone is sick all the time..

joliemariée

I am in exactly the same boat and really only wanted to invite a few close friends and family = But, we are lucky enough part of a very friendly neighborhood, a group of mom-friends and another play group and have been invited to ALL their parties - so there is no way around it for me. I sucked it up and invited everyone ( 20 kids!!!!) I just pray not everyone can come !   PS: we are doing pizza and cake and having 1 game ( pin the tail) since all of the kids are between 2-4yr ( my twins will be 3)

Good luck and just keep it simple and short!

12bailey18

I was kind of in the same boat for DS's birthday party. If I were to open his party up to play group members his party would have doubled in size and I wanted to keep it intimate. We decided to invite just a few neighbors over (that weren't in the play group.) I do think you have to invite either all or none to his party, so as not to hurt anyones feelings. I didn't invite any play group members but I still felt kind of bad. But I just really wanted to keep it low key. 

1026pumpkin

Could you either just invite the half of the group that you're in for playdates to the party in addition to your friends?  If not, I'd have a small party with just family/friends, and then maybe bring cupcakes or something to the next play group to share.

chris&michele

thanks everyone for advice. I may end up just inviting all and see what happens..if I keep it short and sweet I may be able to swing it..it's been so hard to meet with our playgroup lately because everyone seems to be sick..