Do people not RSVP anymore?

[mama_to_one_in_a_half]

I did both kids birthdays at McD when they were young. I paid a set price which includes a private room, cake, balloons, goodie bags, hats, and a McD toy with Play Doh.

Each kid gets a happy meal that I pay, and if parents show up, I offer to pay for their meal but most times, they will pay for their own meal.
O




Kids get to play in the jungle gym, I get to socialize with parents, and I don't have to clean up.

Thats a great idea for my sons 3rd bday the easier the better since ill have a newborn

[Insane]

I hear ya!! Never more frustrating than having people who show up with out RSVP'ing. I don't care if they don't show up and HAVE rsvp'd (emergencies do come up), but if you are planning loot bags/gifts, amount of food, etc, please just contact!! I hope your frustration eases soon!!!

This drives me bonkers!!! I did all the loot bags and preordered balloons for everyone. Someone actually called me a few hours before the party to say they were coming (not ask if it was okay, they said they were coming!) There was a plane crash in our town just before my daughter's party and we had to move our venue as they needed the school for the memorial. We called everyone who RSVPed but sure enough I found out 3 (yes 3!!) people went to the old venue. So 3 parents thought it was okay to just show up at the party! I wouldn't have had enough loot bags or cupcakes, ect... I was peeved. Who just frickin' shows up at without RSVPing?! Serves them right!

[saskatoonlady2004]

For my children's parties, I do not send out invitations any longer. I get the class list with names and phone numbers. My children and I decide how many children and whom to invite. The parents are called. I give the information over the phone and they will usually tell me on the spot if Sally/Johnny is able to attend. If they need to consult with a spouse, then I request they phone me with an answer by the next day. I have never had a problem with this. Takes about 20 minutes, and I usually have a fair idea count by the end of the evening.

[nightlite]

Thanks everyone for your feedback!
Apparently this is a never ending problem with a lack of manners on behalf of people.

My oldest just went to a classmates birthday party last month and the mom said she invited everyone in the class and out of 19 invitations, only 3 rsvp'ed period. I was one of them. That means she had 16 "no answers". And these are parents. They plan parties for their own kids. They should know better and know what they go through when planning a kids birthday so how the hell is it ok for others to not?

[sweet sparrow]

I'd prefer not RSVPing and showing up than RSVPing and not showing up. One friend said she'd be thrilled to get an invite to our wedding with her current BF. We rented the venue, and we were charged per person for the 10 - 11 course meal. She decided not to show up because she had other plans (and not bother to tell me). There were several others who reserved two spaces but only one came. Had any of them mentioned a few days before that they couldn't come or only needed one space, it would have been perfectly fine.

We could have rearranged tables, made it a bit more cozy, things would have been peachy. We could have gone on honeymoon for the amount we spent on absent people! That's crazy!!!

So actually, I would have been grateful to have some people that didn't RSVP waiting at the doors so all that good food didn't get wasted and tossed.

I can see how people not RSVPing drives you bonkers too. I see many years of that in my future.

[gracesmommy]

yep going through this now for dd1s birthday party. i've had to track (luckily) just 2 parents down and find out for sure if their child was/wasn't comming. so annoying!

[ssbean]

I am honestly surprised. I didn't realize how many people don't use basic manners. Do parents not teach children any etiquette? I always reply to an invitation as soon as possible. I don't have children but now I can understand my friend's frustration with trying to plan things for kids. What child wants to have one kid show up. Awful!

[Ciel]

Shwa Girl-the wedding organizer/family: if they have any more family members eligible for marrying off, their future spouses will have in-laws with backbone (and a good head count for guest list/caterers). Miss Manners would be thrilled at the cooling their heels crowd-they got a good message.

[Lyssia510]

In 5 yrs of throwing birthday parties I'm lucky to get 1 or 2 responses. I always make sure to have enough food, treat bags etc for all the kids I invite, and if there's left overs, we eat them the next day.

[RebeccaRYoung]

I hate it when people don't RSVP. It's not all that difficult to do. What I really dislike even more though is when people RSVP and then decide not to attend because something better is happening. I've had friends make a date for something and then at the last minute say that they have to cancel because something they want to do more is happening at the same time. All I can think is how rude.

I was really upset when people RSVP'd to my wedding and then didn't show up. I paid per person for the meal, which was expensive. If they don't show up I still have to pay. The venue got the amount of food they thought they would need, so they're still going to charge. If it is a real emergency, then at least have the manners to call and let me know. I was tempted to send them a bill for the uneaten meal. I have weeded people from the garden of friendship because of their lack of manners.

Aren't we all supposed to treat people the way we want to be treated?

[Marteli]

OHHHH I feel the pain for sure !!!! I hate when they don't answer !!!

[nwf1946]

2 things I wish to say
1. We include a note that if there is no RSVP by a certain date we assume they are not coming and request that they call if they change their minds
2. Sometimes people invite people that they barely know and then get upset when they ignore the invitation

[jessekaa]

Oh I so understand!! For my special needs child first school b day party, I sent out 5 invites to classmates, that my child's EA said I should invite. I didn't get one call back. Gosh thinking about it makes me want to cry. I thought it was cause she is developmentally delayed. After reading these posts, I see that its prob not the case. Since then, I have not had a school bday party, but my child has been invited to bday parties!!!! Its a common complaint that the special needs child in a class does not get invited to anything.
She has still never been invited for a one on one after school school playdate, and she is going into grade 3 :-( I just think that if you don't understand you don't know, so my SC friends, pls consider the special needs child in your kids class Getting the next generation to accept everyone just the way they are. Hugs.

PS, you invite the special needs child to your kids party, that mom and dad well have tears of joy, and love you forever I bet ya 99% they will be calling back. Don't be scared to ask the parent to stay to help their child, we do it anyways. Acceptance is all we want for our kids