Party invitation etiquette? Do I have to pay for siblings of guests?
My daughter is turning two, and we're having her party at Chuck E. Cheese's and paying .99 plus tax per child. I am inviting all of the kids in her preschool class where I work (11 kids total) plus some friends and family. The problem is that many of these kids have siblings, and while I don't mind them coming (the more the merrier!), I don't want to pay for all of them. Is there a nice way to say this on the invitation? Should I assume that people would expect me to pay for the extra kids? We are really stretching our budget as it is, and an extra 4 or 5 kids might really mess us up…
No you shouldn't have to pay for the extra children. Make sure you tell the staff at chucky cheese how many you'll be paying for. Any extra the parent's of those extra kids will have to pay their own way.
Well, the invitation is for the person to whom it is addressed. If little Johnnie is invited, it is only little Johnnie who should attend, not his mother, his sibblings, or their neighbor kids.
So, you are the hostess. Stand at the door of Chuckie Cheese, and when Mrs. Smith brings Johnnie and his 10 year old brother, you say, oh, Mrs. Smith, I'm sorry, the invite was for Johnnie, not his brother. It seems everybody has brought an extra guest, and I'm sorry, there just is not room, or enough money to cover everyone. I made reservations for 12 people, and 26 have showed up and expected to attend! It is up to Mrs. Smith if she wants to take the ten year old home, or both children.
If there are special circumstances, like little Johnnie is a fraidy cat, and won't go anywhere without his brother, than that should have been taken care of when Mrs. Smith got the invite with a phone call to you, telling you about it, and asking if brother can attend, she will be happy to pay the cost for him to go. And you have the right to say "no."
This seems to be a common problem. I think that people just are doing a little freeloading. They know better, but want someone else to babysit their kids for a while. A questioner awhile back was having problems with her invites, mothers did not want their children to go unescorted to the party, and wanted someone to attend with the child:either by the Mom, or Dad, or one or more siblings. I can't say as I blame them, molesting and kidnapping of children being so common, but the lady had a small home, and did not have room for twice and them some as many people as she thought she might have.
Are you inviting a parent for each of the preschoolers, or providing adequate supervision for them all? 11 preschoolers-good luck.
I would think it would be rude to "uninvite" brothers and sisters unless their parents anti-up. Why not take half that money you are spending and have the party at your house or the house of a realtive? You could rent a jumper or have a clown or something. What would a bunch of toddlers do at Chuck E Cheese anyway?? I percieve that place catered to older kids at least 6 and up. If you have a "backyard" party, then you'll have room and be able to afford everyone, just get RSVP's from each parent you send an invite to so you know how much food to buy. This way, you spend about half of what you are paying now and have a few bucks to take yourselves out for a treat sometime!
i do understand how you feel this has happened to me a party for 15 turned in a party for 27 it ended up costing me $600 i had no idea people where rude enough to bring there invited child and leave all there kids for the party
try adding this to invitation
your child (child's name here ) is invited to a party for (your child's name )
if bring other children please bring 10.99 for each additional child and plan to stay to help keep eye on extra children
I think there would be no problem with them paying for extra kids. I for one would expect to pay for my youngest if he went to a birthday party his brother was invited to. You are worrying too much about what people expect if your invites state something as simple as :
*kid* is invited to *our kid's* birthday party at Chuck E cheese on *date* The party will begin at *time* and should end around *time* brothers and sisters are gladly welcomed, but due to food and we are not able to pay for siblings. The cost for extra kids is $10.99 (there price not mine) of course we have already payed for *kid* thanks for your understanding.
I think the only place there would be a problem is if you didnt mention anything until they arived.
hope this helps
I would suggest only inviting the children she spends time with. Dont send the invites to school. Shes only going to be two. Just maybe a handful of the closest friends to her. Good luck. Our son is turning two and we have rented out the local rec center. Maybe something like that would be good for you also. Or have the class to the house for cake, and like I said invite only a handfull to chuck e cheese. Good luck!
Is it possible for the parents to just drop off the kids in her class so there are not the extra kids? That would be a way around that, all the parties my son has been invited too were just for him, we dropped him off then went back for him, or I took him and stayed and my hubby stayed home with our daughter.
Whatever happened to birthday cake in the backyard?! Parents spend WAY too much on parties their kids won't even remember!
As long as the invitation is addressed to one child, it should be understood that you are only including one child in the party plans. I don't think the other parents will assume you're paying for everyone.