When it comes to the guest list, many parents stress out about who to invite. My child's school handbook recommends inviting the whole class. (For what it's worth, we don't invite the whole class, and that's okay too!) On one hand, you don't want anyone to feel left out, but on the other hand, throwing a birthday party for 20+ kids can be costly.

Here's some information and advice to help you decide if you should invite the whole class to your child's birthday party.

Teacher Insights and RSVPs

Invitations can vary widely. Some parents invite the whole class, others invite only boys or only girls, and some invite just a few close friends from different classes. Even if you invite the whole class, not everyone will show up. RSVP rates are usually not anywhere near 100%. Many parents find that when they invite the whole class, only a few kids actually show up.

Type of Party and Expected Attendance

The number of guests often depends on the type of party you're throwing. If the party is at a popular location or involves a fun activity, you should probably expect more kids to show up. For example, a Build-a-Bear party or another cool activity tends to attract more attendees, making the party larger and potentially more expensive. Big parties can get expensive, so you want an accurate guest count. People don't always RSVP, so be prepared for anything.

Creative Tips for Accurate RSVPs

If you decide to invite the whole class and want to ensure everyone RSVPs for an accurate headcount, try this creative tip: don't include an address on the invitation. Instead, ask parents to text to RSVP and receive the address. This way, you'll have a better idea of who is actually coming. Sometimes, even if you invite the whole class along with a few extra children, you might be surprised by the number of attendees, including siblings. This can make the party overwhelming and more costly than expected.

Avoiding Hurt Feelings

To avoid anyone feeling left out, if your child is not inviting everyone, ask them not to talk about it at school. This can help prevent hurt feelings among classmates. To further ensure this, consider emailing or texting the birthday invitations instead of sending paper invitations to school. Many schools have a directory listing the contact information of other parents, which can be useful for finding emails or phone numbers. You can also contact your teacher for parent emails or phone numbers.

Final Thoughts

Whether you decide to invite the whole class or just a few kids, it's important to plan thoughtfully to make sure the party is enjoyable for everyone involved. Do you invite the whole class, or just a few kids? Leave a comment and let us know!