Appropriate Wording for Birthday Invitation

I would say somthing like "For a cost of $x.xx Each, parents and siblings are welcome to join us."

If you need custom invitations, party favors and more give me a call.

A. J
www.celebritypartyfavors.com

I think saying something up front is good. I have three boys and often can't go to a party if only one is involved, but wouldn't mind paying for the others AT ALL. We have skipped parties because I didn't feel comfortable taking all three or only one was invited.

I had my daughter's party there and was in the same situation. I just added " Jake's charge is _____ at the door for parent's and siblings, but we would love you to joing us too.

Maybe instead of saying that others can join you at their expense, say something like, "the invited guest's food/activities/entrance fee will be covered- please give the invited child's name at the door". Or something like that. I'm not sure how Amazing Jakes takes care of that at the door/entrance.
Also, depending on the age of the children, the parents may feel like they need to stay. If that is the case, it could be a bit awkward.

I do not think it's rude. A conscious parent would offer to pay their/siblings way. Stand your ground, Mom. Good luck.

I agree. Parents should understand that the invitation is for the child it is addressed to. I would address it only to your daughter's friend and write somewhere on the invitation: "Siblings welcome, $10 per child" or whatever the price is and maybe include the web address to the party place so they can check it out. Good luck!

I think your wording is great! I know when one of my boys is invited to a party I always ask if the other can come but let them know he does not have to even join in I just can't leave one home by himself as my husband works most weekends. They should be thankful you are letting the siblings come!

Good luck and God bless!

It may be a little rude, but unfortunately it is necessary. I've been astonished at the number of people who bring the invited guest, siblings, and then other kids who just happened to be hanging out at the house to birthday parties. It hasn't happened to me yet, thank goodness, but one of my dear friends was frantically counting goody bags to see if she had enough after someone showed up with 4 extra kids!

I love the idea of handing out the invitations personally.

I have had to do this before-- it isn't rude. Your wording is great. Nobody should expect us to carry the cost of siblings. Of course, they are welcomed to attend at the parents' expense. Don't feel guilty for one second about this.

Not rude at all, I have two boys and usually my husband and I both attend birthday parties, we ALWAYS pay for the sibling and never sit the uninvited at the cake/food table unless the hostess insists. My children also know that only 1 goody bag will be coming home.

I would personally appreciate knowing the price information upfront so that we could make an educated decision before coming. My suggestion is a mixture of other posts :-)

My apologies but Amazing Jakes is pricey. Our party budget will cover the classmates of our daughter and 1 parent. If additional siblings and parents would like to come, that is great!! The cost for adults is $_____, and children under 12 is $_____.
Please let me know who is coming so I can have enough food/favors.

Have fun!
E.

I would just put something like, " additional guest are only $10 a piece", or whatever the additional amount would be. I am sure that people will understand.

If you need invitations, I would be happy to help
www.WorksofaWink.com

I dont think it is rude at all, but I dont see a need to put that on the invitation. If my daughter recieved an invitation and I brought her sister I wouldnt expect that she would be "part" of the party and I would pay for her expenses. Most people know that you've purchased a party package up to a certain amount for your daughters friends only. But like I said I think either way is fine. Have a fun party! I've heard the kids love Jakes!

Sounds perfect! You are including them but not paying for them.

Personally, I don't think that phrase is rude at all. Any reasonable person wouldn't expect you to pay for anyone other than the invited guest, and you're simply stating that up front to notify any 'unreasonable' person, so I would say go ahead and use that. Other parents who have thrown kid's parties and have been in the same situation will understand completely and not take any offense whatsoever. Good Luck!

I would choose to focus on the fact that you're paying for the child on the invitation. For example, invite Suzie and her family and have a note at the bottom that "Suzie's admission is our gift to you and will be taken care of." They will make the appropriate assumption that they're responsible for anyone else without you having to state it. Focus on the positive!

Not rude at all - I like exactly how you wrote it and wouldn't be offended if i got something like that.

M., you have gotten great advise, but can I just say... how did we get to a society that we had to say this at all in an invitation? It seems it is the minority that understand that just because your child is invited doesn't mean you can bring siblings. When I had my son's 3 year old birthday not only did three of the guests bring uninvited siblings, but 2 other parents didn't RSVP and just showed up. This can really cause problems with goodie bags, food, etc. Sorry...had to vent!

I think the way you wanted to state it "welcome at your own expense" is absolutely perfect. People are welcome, but you won't be stuck with the bill!

I had this same issue last year. I forget my exact wording but it was something like. "I am coverig the cost of child and one adult. The cost for adults is 10.00 and children under 12 7.00. Please let me know who is coming so I can have enough food/favors." Something like that. NOBODY was offended! They brought siblings and other adults and all came up to me to pay without my having to ask them! I was worried about putting that on there. But everyone understood. I hope your party is wonderful!

Hi M.,
Your wording is fine. Not rude at all. People should understand. Just be sure to send Thank You cards for the gifts and for coming to the party. People seem to have forgotten this little gesture that goes so far. If people are upset that they had to pay, the thank cards might offset it.

I was actually going to have a double party at Amazing Jakes for my 3 and 5 year old, but when I found out you have to buy a buffet for EVERY adult and sibling as well... I changed my mind. Since the kids are too young to be dropped off, and more adults/family come to our parties than kids, I changed the party location to a place where you can buy adult pizzas, etc but not have to purchase a $9 buffet for each of them.

I think the wording is fine that you have listed, and I think the below responses are great too about listing the prices, or saying the "invited guest" is covered. Adults don't want you to have to pay for them, and it would be rude for them to assume you want to pay for their siblings too. I have been to parties during the week when my kids were in preschool, and told the mom that we couldn't attend due to a sibling and no babysitter, and they usually say that siblings were welcome...but that was at a place that you pay the same rate for up to 25 kids, and the adults were free.

Have a great weekend!

I think what you wrote is completely appropriate, not rude at all. I wouldn't be offended at all if my child recieved an invitation that said that. I think what would be rude is for one of my kids to get invited to a birthday party and for me to show up with the other four and myself and expect you to pay. How many are you having? If it's not too many, maybe you could pick up before and drop off afterwords, then the other siblings and parents showing up would not be an issue. Although like the other poster said, parents may want to be there.

Hi M.,

I don't think the wording is rude. I would put just the invited guest name on the front of the invitation and besure to have an RSVP space. I would make it clear when they RSVP'ed that you budget only covers the one child.
Hope this helps.

A. H.

M.,

I think you are perfectly within reason to put that on your invitations!

You might even want to lighten the mood a little bit by adding something like this:

Thanks to Ex-President Bush, we can only afford to pay for classmates. But others are welcomed to come if your wallet hasn't been bitten into too much!

or

As bad as I feel about it, Amazing Jakes is a pricey joint. We can only afford to pay for classmates of our daughter. If you parents and siblings can afford to come, that is great!! If not, here is my cell: ______ so you can call and check on your little ones.

I know it is a lot longer to write, but when you use humor and TRUTH to offset something that you don't really want to say, it makes you human and likable...

OR you could go the complete opposite direction and just take your daughter to Amazing Jakes. Why do you need to pay for all of those classmates that she won't even play with?! Take her and one or two of her best friends and call it done. I don't know why people feel they need to include the entire class AND PAY FOR THEM for your own kids birthday.

START THE REVOLUTION!! :)

I would hand out the invitations personally. Go with your son to each kiddo's house and give the invitations (with your son) to the child's parents. Say at that time, "We wish we could pay for your whole family to attend but we can't afford it. But if you want to bring your whole family, you know you are welcome. Here are the prices, blah, blah, blah. My son is so looking forward to it and we hope (fill in the invited child's name) can come.

The thing is, people get really weird and offended about things on invitations. But when you are there in person, warmly expressing regret and invitation, they are usually pleased and touched. There is no tone in writing and some folks just seem to look for offense.

Have fun!
VickiS

You know what, if people don't realize that the invitation is for the child it is addressed to, then they are a little crazy. But in the case they don't get it, the people at the birthday place can do this per your request and then you wouldn't have to even be involved. Just tell them to make sure the invitee is in free and anyone else has to pay to participate, they are pretty good at this from my experiences.

K.