Since it's slow, I thought I'd post.
On Tuesday, I called the party place and said we would have 8 kids. I bought 10 favors, just in case. By the time we got to the party, we had 11. By the time the party officially started, I had 13.
Two people brought siblings (and didn't tell me before hand). The one mom did offer to pay for her extra son. The other person called me on Thursday his message said "Hi Noah's mom! I am supposed to call you for some reason, but we aren't going to make it to the party". Guess who the first person to show up was? Yep, that guy. I listened to the message 3 times, and I was sure he said "aren't", and also I used my "context clues" that if he WERE coming then he wouldn't be all "Nigel said I'm supposed to call you for some reason". Yoy!
I ended up being 1 favor short. One of the siblings didn't get one, because I wanted the kids who were Noah's friends to all have one. She was on her way out already, so I handed one to her sister, and thought I was free and clear. She came back all "HEY! I didn't get a bucket!!" So I had to tell her that I didn't have enough, and I didn't know that she was coming, so I hadn't bought one for her. I felt like a big jerk. But, in the end, Noah had a wonderful, wonderful time. He was SO happy that night! (Moral of the story: always buy a few extra favors for kid parties!)
Re: An update to my WWYD post
Who just brings another kid to a party without asking?!? I am with Amanda, don't feel bad at all. I would have only given the invited child a favor, since you know, they were invited.
I am glad Noah had a good time, sounds like a success.
So glad that Noah had fun and that you were prepared with some extra favors!!
Am I the only one that thinks it's incredibly bizarre and rude to bring siblings that aren't invited? Who does that 1. without giving the host a heads up and/or 2. expecting the sibling to participate in the party/favors?
It seems common for parties at a play place but of the ones we know I think the host either invites the sibling or the family brings the sibling to play but pays for the sibling and doesn't come to the food/cake.
last year for dd's party at home I specifically invited a sibling because dd knows her from daycare and adores her but I didn't invite an older sibling of somebody else. Luckily she didn't show up! I definitely would not have given a non invited sibling a favor. We also have a few friends with younger kids that are still pretty young and I assume they will come but I don't plan for them with activities or favors.
It's ridiculously rude. I can't believe the nerve of some people.
Team Amanda!
I have been in the situation where I had to bring Conall to a bday party for a friend of Gavin's, but I have always cleared it first and told the parent (not offered) that I was going to pay for Conall.
Come to think of it, I never mentioned not wanting a favor for him, though - I never remember to give them out at my own kids' parties! LOL While I don't forsee the situation arising again, I'll remember that just in case. But I never expected for them to let Conall eat, too. (And, I also spent more on that gift for the child since both boys were there.) Ok now I feel like *** and am over compensating!
Glad it worked out and that Noah had a great time!
My three sons!
OMG hearing this would make me even MORE mad. That is beyond rude. I am speechless.
Ditto, Amber. That scenario probably happens a lot, which is totally understandable...but there are considerate ways and inconsiderate ways to handle it. Showing up with an extra kid, without mentioning it to the parent, acting like they are an invited guest, then having them run back in to ask for a favor, is rude IMO. If it was my kid's party, I'd just roll with it like Amber, but as a guest, I just can't imagine doing any of that. (Sounds like the dad is pretty clueless...LOL that he just hung at the bar the whole time.)
On a related note,at what age do you drop kids off at a party and not stay?
I left EJ at one just this past year. so she was 5, the party room was crowded and my being there added no value. So I went to the starbucks in the same plaza for an hour and came back before the party ended. It was a pottery painting party and not only were the kids there- but like 1-2 parents each plus some of the birthday girls family. It was too much. she was well supervised.
Jake had his first drop off party (age 5) just a few weeks ago. It was at Build a Bear & I wasn't expecting it, I just assumed I would stay (and no, I didn't bring Liam unannounced haha!) but when we got there, the party people were pretty much like, "Ok parents, enjoy your time, come back in an hour!" So, I had a free hour in the mall by myself
Amber--I think you did what you could & it was generous to bring the extra favors in the first place, so I wouldn't feel bad about the one sibling who didn't get any. I've become close to a few families in Jake's preschool class, and they've always invited Liam along to parties which is very kind, and I did the same for some of their younger kids for Jake's party....but if he wasn't invited, I would never just assume it was ok!! Or, like Clare said, if I had to bring him, I would clear it first and pay for him myself if it was that kind of party. We haven't been in that situation yet, but we've definitely been to other parties where it's just been Jake invited, and one of us takes him, the other stays home with Liam.
Jake - 1.15.08
Liam - 5.17.11