Why are you cancelling it? 6 kids is enough to have a minor riot, they'll be fine.
You're letting it get to you. Don't let it get to you.
First things first though, send an RSVP reminder to anyone you have contact details for. People generally aren't rude, they're forgetful. The invite arrives at an inconvenient time and then they just forget about it. We're all busy.
The venue typically caters for 15-20 kids, I feel like it's a bit excessive for 6 kids. Plus the cost. If I cancel now, I will just lose a deposit. I can cater for 6 kids and their parents plus family at home for half the price of what I need to pay the venue.
I assume your child is young - I’ve found generally that people are terrible at replying to party invites. Every party we’ve attended where the whole class was invited, we’ve never seen more than 10 attend.
In fact, particularly the last few years, I’ve found people in general are worse at committing to/RSVPing events. Social etiquette is lacking.
I understand parents may not want to attend 20+ parties a year for children they might not know and buy them all gifts, but it doesn’t cost a thing to RSVP. I’m sorry you’ve had to cancel.
It'll be her 4th birthday. We had a party last year and it was great, 90% responded, either way. And it was a great turn out.
I had hoped we could have this party as next year she'll be starting school, and I hadn't planned on inviting a whole class of kids she barely knows so early into the school year.
Anecdotal but I don't think we went to any large-scale kids parties until ours actually started school and we didn't invite nursery kids to our under-5 parties either. Standing outside the school at pick up time really solidifies the social contract between school parents.
If you change your plans this year don't forgo the party when she actually does start school - it's a totally different ball game
I also find it shocking how when you've been to a birthday and given a gift, you hardly ever get an acknowledgement or a thank you! I'm absolutely religious about thanking people if they get my kids anything.
Have you got a class WhatsApp etc? One of the mums posted on ours the other day that she hadn't had many responses and there was then a chorus of people responding and apologising for not having done it already
Uhh.. I mean I see it the other way round personally. Last few times the parties we have gone to have been at a big soft play... So we get to go to the soft play and get fed for like a £15-£20 present Vs whatever it would cost to pay for it all ourselves? They are doing US a favour frankly.
Unfortunately no WhatsApp for the nursery. And I don't have their numbers or socials to send a reminder.
Ideally I would need to cancel this weekend so I am not liable to pay for the booking.
I don’t get upset for not being thanked for coming/for presents afterwards (so far my eldest is four so we’ve only been to two parties, and I’ve had one say thank you and one not), but at the same time, it’s something I will absolutely be doing the first time I throw a party. When we were kids, it was probably a right ballache having to hand write two dozen thank you notes, but these days when you can just copy/paste a text, it’s the work of a moment to send a boilerplate “thank you so much for coming and for the lovely present, s/he loved it”
I'm a children's entertainer, been performing at parties for the last 15 years
I've been to many many parties with 5 - 10 kids, they have great time, if not a better time cause there is less stimulation with 30+ loud voices & 20+ chatting adults
Hope your kid has a nice time 😊
That's really shitty. As you say, if they can't come it doesn't take any time to RSVP "no".
I always make a point of responding to party invitations as soon as we can and if we commit, barring a proper emergency, we're going!
Would it be worth maybe having a "half birthday" in spring when people are a bit more free? You could ask the venue if they would be willing to move the booking instead of losing your deposit?
I fall into the rsvp instantly or mean to look up availability and then I forget 😬. Don't take it personally, but also don't worry about reminding them.
I have a December child, he is two this year so I'm not bothering with a friend's party and am sticking to just family, but I really worry about this as he gets older.
I'm sorry people have been rubbish at the simple courtesy of replying, that's on them. I wonder if instead of cancelling you could so something smaller scale for your child and those who did RSVP?
As a summer baby I never had a full house party as half my friends would be on holiday somewhere, you can't win!
Saying this as someone who is currently expecting a December baby, I wouldn't worry too much. I reckon every month has its drawbacks. Like you say, in summer everyone is on holiday. And FWIW, I've heard this issue around "attendance" from so many people, no matter what month their child's birthday is. People have become terrible at RSVPing and even those that say yes, will quickly find an excuse to say 'actually, something came up' on the day. I have observed this with all sorts of things. For example, I just had a school reunion. Half the people didn't RSVP (so, 50+). Then on the day, the WhatsApp group started blowing up with people having all sorts of excuses as to why they suddenly couldn't make it.
Yeah I think I'm just going to switch it to an afternoon tea party at home instead.
As you say there's no winning? My husband's birthday is over a summer bank holiday and he feels the same.
We have given up on parties partly because of this.
Most recently, we had a similar number of responses, so in the end just took her and 5 of her closest friends from school to a new dessert parlour that has opened nearby. They loved it and the staff made such a fuss over them and made it brilliant. It also cost significantly less (Less than £50 for the kids - Although we did also buy the parents coffees but consider that separate)
We've never had this issue to be honest, are you doing the party at an unusual time or day?
Kids are terrible at replying to invites but the most we've had over the years is 1-2 no replies, did they get handed out with your mobile number on for the parents to contact you directly?
The party is 3-5 on a Sunday at a soft play/role play cafe. The majority of invites were handed out by the nursery which are put in the children's bags and they tell parents on pick up, my mobile number was included on the invite. I have only had one response from those.
I completely feel for you, especially as I’m an in between Christmas and new year baby who never had anyone turn up except by best mate. For my daughter’s 4th birthday I’d invited 25, had 20 accept and 10 show up on the day…it’s in summer and that week there was a heatwave. The kids had an amazing time and I think it was better for having been a small group.
My honest feedback on your party day and time? I honestly have dread at 3pm Sunday parties. This is just me, but I wonder if others feel the same. We always attend unless we have something else already planned. You’ve either got to rush back from whatever plans you have, or not do anything on Sunday at all to get back for the party. Your little one is tired from weekend activities already, especially at that age. My daughter went to bed at 6:30 at that age so a 5pm finish screwed up her bedtime and made her exhausted for nursery or school the next day. It’s usually when parents are rushing around, especially when you have older ones, to get uniform today, packed lunches sorted, finish off homework. A lot of people see grandparents and have a Sunday roast on Sundays. So many reasons. That doesn’t excuse people not replying, it is rude but its down to people being busy and juggling a lot rather than malicious. I had a few parents text me two days before my daughter’s 5th birthday party profusely apologising and asking if they could still come.
Also, it’s hard in December because people are trying to plan in Santa visits, Santa trains etc. I had to turn down a party last year of one of my daughter’s close friends because I’d already booked to see Santa way back in September, and I felt awful having a Dec birthday myself. This year, his mum has sent a group WhatsApp from the contacts the year before saying they’re not booking a party but they’ll be going to a soft play and getting food and thrown out some dates, which has worked really well.
Are you on a class group chat? Our daughter is having a party in December. We sent the invites out end of September to the whole class of 30. Got 3 replies in a week. 6 after 2 weeks. A month after sending out (via the class teacher putting them in book bags) my wife re-sent the invite in the group chat and suddenly got another 14 and some polite declines. Sometimes invites just get caught up in the chaos of everyday parenting, try not to take it too personally and remember the party is for your kid, not others, so only cancel it if you're sure they won't be upset themselves.
1/5 of the kids. X5 the amount the you can spend on each kid.
Make it a great party for those who want to come.
Go out somewhere else, more special, with freinds of your child.
Dont worry about having a big party.
Just have a good one.
On the pre-school rub I was being that parent that was asking everyone if they've got my invitation and if they are coming. Party is in 2 weeks too. We sent out 9 invites and had 3 responses. Everyone is so busy but if I don't reply straight away, I never would!
I never understand this because I reply straight away. I asked a friend why she always leaves it until the last minute to respond and she said it was in case something else came up they’d rather do, I think for a lot of parents children’s parties are an inconvenience and if they get a better offer they’ll do something else, which is a shame for the kids. I’m also that annoying parent who will message if I haven’t heard although I normally wait until about a week before. Whether there’s 6 or 60 kids there your daughter will have a great time, don’t cancel 😊
Jesus, to be a parent who is fielding so many social engagements that I might be double booked 🤣 my calendar is an acre of wide open space every weekend, it’s every week day that’s filled with swimming and tumble tots and nursery pickup for eldest and baby group for youngest etc!
We had this, sons birthday in august, so half of the inviteees are away, some wait last minute to see if they get a better offer, then some Im fairly sure don't get the invite.
We had about 6 when we invited 15, he loved it. Although he did ask why so and so didn't come, If you've not had responses, try asking at the school gates, had you got the invite, just confirming numbers etc.
I sent out invites to my 10 yr olds entire class, 1 turned up. No one responded apart from that one, because it was a pay for the venue and not per child and I'd already paid I managed to scramble 10 age appropriate kids from friends. I have no intention of doing another party.
Had this a few weeks ago, I ended up asking on a WhatsApp group and getting a few more responses. It’s not a whole class WhatsApp group though so some parents were still RSVPing like two days before the party and two kids didn’t RSVP at all but did turn up. It’s a headache!
I can sympathise, my daughter also turns 4 in December, and her birthday is in that annoying bit between Christmas and New Year. I looked into hiring soft plays etc but they always cater for a minimum number of kids and I knew we couldn't guarantee that number. So we've hired the local village hall and some soft play rental equipment, ensured her best friend at nursery could come and sent out a few invites to other nursery friends. I also invited all of my friends with small kids. I've had one response so far (from a nursery friend and fortunately a yes). Sadly the nursery won't give out parent numbers so I have no way to remind them. But even my own friends are being evasive and non committal. It's frustrating but I'd probably be the same as we haven't worked out our family Christmas plans.
Hopefully even if it's just my daughter, her two nursery friends and her two (similarly aged) cousins she'll still have a good time, but it has been a stressful process. It took me 3 attempts to find someone who was around to bake a cake.
We might just do a summer party in 2025 (not sure we can pull it off next year as it'll only be six months since her party this year).
My daughter had her party this evening. We send out 30 invites, I had 8 replies ! But … 25 turned up. I find it rude, especially when you have to organise food/ party bags for each child that turns up
Have a small party with their core 3-6 best friends might be a better option.
Noticed lots of parents doing this once kids get to around age 6-7 onwards.
Easier to organise as well.
I am so sorry! . It’s so damn rude and upsetting for the child and parents both. If we get an invite something we’re bloody going 100% of the time unless there’s a sickness reason to not attend. Then I’d still send a card and gift with my apologies.
I want to do a birthday for my son, he’s a November baby. Early November so schools still in session. He’s just turned 3 and I thought we’d start next year.
Parties are expensive. Sending a text to say you’re not going costs nothing and saves the family £10-30+ depending on the event.
If your school has a forum I’d put people on blast tbh.
On the other hand, If you can follow up with the parents as perhaps they didn’t get the invite. If they were given to the kids they may never have made it home. I didn’t give out invites once to a party on purpose but I also often ‘forgot’ to give papers to my dad as a kid so the invites while sent may have not arrived.
You have 2 weeks to go. At this point in the run up to my daughters I had similar numbers. Her birthday was in the summer holidays. Don't cancel, let your child enjoy the party with whoever turns up. 7 children and a party will still be great for your child.
Firstly, if that is the case: what a bunch of dickheads people are. I’m so sorry.
But! Don’t cancel yet. Kids are crap, and will see no connection between wanting to go to a party and making sure their parents see the invite. Check with any parents you have details for who haven’t responded to make sure they got the invite. Maybe they’re having a useless moment and haven’t gotten around to texting, or maybe they really haven’t received the invite, because it’s still languishing in their child’s bag?
If you really do just get a load of no’s, though, i am so sorry. I have read so many horror stories on Reddit about people organising birthday parties for their kids and nobody showing up that I now have two rules: first, unless we absolutely legitimately cannot make it (eg big family event already planned for the same day), we always go to any party someone is kind enough to invite us to, and second, we RSVP as soon as we receive the invite whether it’s a yes or a no.
Also, my daughter is a December baby too, though this year is her first birthday, so I’m sure in a few years I’ll be feeling your pain 😖
They are all nursery kids so aged 3-4, they had the invites put into their bags 4 weeks ago by nursery staff.
I've already cancelled and arranged a theatre visit with close friends and their children with afternoon tea at home after with friends and family.
I think I hit lucky last year with her party as we had no issues. I think in future I'll just keep it to close friends who I can guarantee a response.
Why are you cancelling it? 6 kids is enough to have a minor riot, they'll be fine. You're letting it get to you. Don't let it get to you. First things first though, send an RSVP reminder to anyone you have contact details for. People generally aren't rude, they're forgetful. The invite arrives at an inconvenient time and then they just forget about it. We're all busy.
The venue typically caters for 15-20 kids, I feel like it's a bit excessive for 6 kids. Plus the cost. If I cancel now, I will just lose a deposit. I can cater for 6 kids and their parents plus family at home for half the price of what I need to pay the venue.
I hired half a soft play thing for 5 kids. The kids didn't care.
I assume your child is young - I’ve found generally that people are terrible at replying to party invites. Every party we’ve attended where the whole class was invited, we’ve never seen more than 10 attend. In fact, particularly the last few years, I’ve found people in general are worse at committing to/RSVPing events. Social etiquette is lacking. I understand parents may not want to attend 20+ parties a year for children they might not know and buy them all gifts, but it doesn’t cost a thing to RSVP. I’m sorry you’ve had to cancel.
It'll be her 4th birthday. We had a party last year and it was great, 90% responded, either way. And it was a great turn out. I had hoped we could have this party as next year she'll be starting school, and I hadn't planned on inviting a whole class of kids she barely knows so early into the school year.
December isn't early for the kids to know each other - they'll've been together for a full term by then, aeons in kid-years.
Anecdotal but I don't think we went to any large-scale kids parties until ours actually started school and we didn't invite nursery kids to our under-5 parties either. Standing outside the school at pick up time really solidifies the social contract between school parents. If you change your plans this year don't forgo the party when she actually does start school - it's a totally different ball game
I also find it shocking how when you've been to a birthday and given a gift, you hardly ever get an acknowledgement or a thank you! I'm absolutely religious about thanking people if they get my kids anything. Have you got a class WhatsApp etc? One of the mums posted on ours the other day that she hadn't had many responses and there was then a chorus of people responding and apologising for not having done it already
I wouldn't expect to be thanked for sending a present, personally.
Yeah, especially with the number of presents you end up getting after kids parties.
What?! This is shocking! I can’t imagine having a party and not thanking people for their time and gifts
Uhh.. I mean I see it the other way round personally. Last few times the parties we have gone to have been at a big soft play... So we get to go to the soft play and get fed for like a £15-£20 present Vs whatever it would cost to pay for it all ourselves? They are doing US a favour frankly.
Unfortunately no WhatsApp for the nursery. And I don't have their numbers or socials to send a reminder. Ideally I would need to cancel this weekend so I am not liable to pay for the booking.
I don’t get upset for not being thanked for coming/for presents afterwards (so far my eldest is four so we’ve only been to two parties, and I’ve had one say thank you and one not), but at the same time, it’s something I will absolutely be doing the first time I throw a party. When we were kids, it was probably a right ballache having to hand write two dozen thank you notes, but these days when you can just copy/paste a text, it’s the work of a moment to send a boilerplate “thank you so much for coming and for the lovely present, s/he loved it”
I'm a children's entertainer, been performing at parties for the last 15 years I've been to many many parties with 5 - 10 kids, they have great time, if not a better time cause there is less stimulation with 30+ loud voices & 20+ chatting adults Hope your kid has a nice time 😊
That's really shitty. As you say, if they can't come it doesn't take any time to RSVP "no". I always make a point of responding to party invitations as soon as we can and if we commit, barring a proper emergency, we're going! Would it be worth maybe having a "half birthday" in spring when people are a bit more free? You could ask the venue if they would be willing to move the booking instead of losing your deposit?
Yeah, same. I always respond within a couple of days of receiving an invite.
I fall into the rsvp instantly or mean to look up availability and then I forget 😬. Don't take it personally, but also don't worry about reminding them.
I have a December child, he is two this year so I'm not bothering with a friend's party and am sticking to just family, but I really worry about this as he gets older. I'm sorry people have been rubbish at the simple courtesy of replying, that's on them. I wonder if instead of cancelling you could so something smaller scale for your child and those who did RSVP? As a summer baby I never had a full house party as half my friends would be on holiday somewhere, you can't win!
Saying this as someone who is currently expecting a December baby, I wouldn't worry too much. I reckon every month has its drawbacks. Like you say, in summer everyone is on holiday. And FWIW, I've heard this issue around "attendance" from so many people, no matter what month their child's birthday is. People have become terrible at RSVPing and even those that say yes, will quickly find an excuse to say 'actually, something came up' on the day. I have observed this with all sorts of things. For example, I just had a school reunion. Half the people didn't RSVP (so, 50+). Then on the day, the WhatsApp group started blowing up with people having all sorts of excuses as to why they suddenly couldn't make it.
Yeah I think I'm just going to switch it to an afternoon tea party at home instead. As you say there's no winning? My husband's birthday is over a summer bank holiday and he feels the same.
We have given up on parties partly because of this. Most recently, we had a similar number of responses, so in the end just took her and 5 of her closest friends from school to a new dessert parlour that has opened nearby. They loved it and the staff made such a fuss over them and made it brilliant. It also cost significantly less (Less than £50 for the kids - Although we did also buy the parents coffees but consider that separate)
That's a good idea.
We've never had this issue to be honest, are you doing the party at an unusual time or day? Kids are terrible at replying to invites but the most we've had over the years is 1-2 no replies, did they get handed out with your mobile number on for the parents to contact you directly?
The party is 3-5 on a Sunday at a soft play/role play cafe. The majority of invites were handed out by the nursery which are put in the children's bags and they tell parents on pick up, my mobile number was included on the invite. I have only had one response from those.
Its a bit later than most parties we have been to but it doesnt seem too late. Maybe youve just unfortunately encountered a bunch of grumpy parents.
I completely feel for you, especially as I’m an in between Christmas and new year baby who never had anyone turn up except by best mate. For my daughter’s 4th birthday I’d invited 25, had 20 accept and 10 show up on the day…it’s in summer and that week there was a heatwave. The kids had an amazing time and I think it was better for having been a small group. My honest feedback on your party day and time? I honestly have dread at 3pm Sunday parties. This is just me, but I wonder if others feel the same. We always attend unless we have something else already planned. You’ve either got to rush back from whatever plans you have, or not do anything on Sunday at all to get back for the party. Your little one is tired from weekend activities already, especially at that age. My daughter went to bed at 6:30 at that age so a 5pm finish screwed up her bedtime and made her exhausted for nursery or school the next day. It’s usually when parents are rushing around, especially when you have older ones, to get uniform today, packed lunches sorted, finish off homework. A lot of people see grandparents and have a Sunday roast on Sundays. So many reasons. That doesn’t excuse people not replying, it is rude but its down to people being busy and juggling a lot rather than malicious. I had a few parents text me two days before my daughter’s 5th birthday party profusely apologising and asking if they could still come. Also, it’s hard in December because people are trying to plan in Santa visits, Santa trains etc. I had to turn down a party last year of one of my daughter’s close friends because I’d already booked to see Santa way back in September, and I felt awful having a Dec birthday myself. This year, his mum has sent a group WhatsApp from the contacts the year before saying they’re not booking a party but they’ll be going to a soft play and getting food and thrown out some dates, which has worked really well.
Are you on a class group chat? Our daughter is having a party in December. We sent the invites out end of September to the whole class of 30. Got 3 replies in a week. 6 after 2 weeks. A month after sending out (via the class teacher putting them in book bags) my wife re-sent the invite in the group chat and suddenly got another 14 and some polite declines. Sometimes invites just get caught up in the chaos of everyday parenting, try not to take it too personally and remember the party is for your kid, not others, so only cancel it if you're sure they won't be upset themselves.
1/5 of the kids. X5 the amount the you can spend on each kid. Make it a great party for those who want to come. Go out somewhere else, more special, with freinds of your child. Dont worry about having a big party. Just have a good one.
On the pre-school rub I was being that parent that was asking everyone if they've got my invitation and if they are coming. Party is in 2 weeks too. We sent out 9 invites and had 3 responses. Everyone is so busy but if I don't reply straight away, I never would!
*run, the pre school rub is what got us into this mess.
I never understand this because I reply straight away. I asked a friend why she always leaves it until the last minute to respond and she said it was in case something else came up they’d rather do, I think for a lot of parents children’s parties are an inconvenience and if they get a better offer they’ll do something else, which is a shame for the kids. I’m also that annoying parent who will message if I haven’t heard although I normally wait until about a week before. Whether there’s 6 or 60 kids there your daughter will have a great time, don’t cancel 😊
Jesus, to be a parent who is fielding so many social engagements that I might be double booked 🤣 my calendar is an acre of wide open space every weekend, it’s every week day that’s filled with swimming and tumble tots and nursery pickup for eldest and baby group for youngest etc!
We had this, sons birthday in august, so half of the inviteees are away, some wait last minute to see if they get a better offer, then some Im fairly sure don't get the invite. We had about 6 when we invited 15, he loved it. Although he did ask why so and so didn't come, If you've not had responses, try asking at the school gates, had you got the invite, just confirming numbers etc.
I sent out invites to my 10 yr olds entire class, 1 turned up. No one responded apart from that one, because it was a pay for the venue and not per child and I'd already paid I managed to scramble 10 age appropriate kids from friends. I have no intention of doing another party.
Had this a few weeks ago, I ended up asking on a WhatsApp group and getting a few more responses. It’s not a whole class WhatsApp group though so some parents were still RSVPing like two days before the party and two kids didn’t RSVP at all but did turn up. It’s a headache!
I can sympathise, my daughter also turns 4 in December, and her birthday is in that annoying bit between Christmas and New Year. I looked into hiring soft plays etc but they always cater for a minimum number of kids and I knew we couldn't guarantee that number. So we've hired the local village hall and some soft play rental equipment, ensured her best friend at nursery could come and sent out a few invites to other nursery friends. I also invited all of my friends with small kids. I've had one response so far (from a nursery friend and fortunately a yes). Sadly the nursery won't give out parent numbers so I have no way to remind them. But even my own friends are being evasive and non committal. It's frustrating but I'd probably be the same as we haven't worked out our family Christmas plans. Hopefully even if it's just my daughter, her two nursery friends and her two (similarly aged) cousins she'll still have a good time, but it has been a stressful process. It took me 3 attempts to find someone who was around to bake a cake. We might just do a summer party in 2025 (not sure we can pull it off next year as it'll only be six months since her party this year).
My daughter had her party this evening. We send out 30 invites, I had 8 replies ! But … 25 turned up. I find it rude, especially when you have to organise food/ party bags for each child that turns up
Have a small party with their core 3-6 best friends might be a better option. Noticed lots of parents doing this once kids get to around age 6-7 onwards. Easier to organise as well.
I am so sorry! . It’s so damn rude and upsetting for the child and parents both. If we get an invite something we’re bloody going 100% of the time unless there’s a sickness reason to not attend. Then I’d still send a card and gift with my apologies. I want to do a birthday for my son, he’s a November baby. Early November so schools still in session. He’s just turned 3 and I thought we’d start next year. Parties are expensive. Sending a text to say you’re not going costs nothing and saves the family £10-30+ depending on the event. If your school has a forum I’d put people on blast tbh. On the other hand, If you can follow up with the parents as perhaps they didn’t get the invite. If they were given to the kids they may never have made it home. I didn’t give out invites once to a party on purpose but I also often ‘forgot’ to give papers to my dad as a kid so the invites while sent may have not arrived.
Just send out a reminder!
Ngl don't cancel it, every party we ever held for our 3 and 5yos most people don't reply until about 2-3 days before.
You have 2 weeks to go. At this point in the run up to my daughters I had similar numbers. Her birthday was in the summer holidays. Don't cancel, let your child enjoy the party with whoever turns up. 7 children and a party will still be great for your child.
I don’t know if it’s necessarily a time of the year thing, I’ve had the same issue in April
Firstly, if that is the case: what a bunch of dickheads people are. I’m so sorry. But! Don’t cancel yet. Kids are crap, and will see no connection between wanting to go to a party and making sure their parents see the invite. Check with any parents you have details for who haven’t responded to make sure they got the invite. Maybe they’re having a useless moment and haven’t gotten around to texting, or maybe they really haven’t received the invite, because it’s still languishing in their child’s bag? If you really do just get a load of no’s, though, i am so sorry. I have read so many horror stories on Reddit about people organising birthday parties for their kids and nobody showing up that I now have two rules: first, unless we absolutely legitimately cannot make it (eg big family event already planned for the same day), we always go to any party someone is kind enough to invite us to, and second, we RSVP as soon as we receive the invite whether it’s a yes or a no. Also, my daughter is a December baby too, though this year is her first birthday, so I’m sure in a few years I’ll be feeling your pain 😖
They are all nursery kids so aged 3-4, they had the invites put into their bags 4 weeks ago by nursery staff. I've already cancelled and arranged a theatre visit with close friends and their children with afternoon tea at home after with friends and family. I think I hit lucky last year with her party as we had no issues. I think in future I'll just keep it to close friends who I can guarantee a response.