As per a recent New York Times Op/Ed piece, it’s not just me that is amazed when parents don’t RSVP to their kids’ birthday invitations. Life does seem to have devolved even as technology makes sending messages so much easier.
So how do you get those parents to let you know their intentions so you can plan properly and not spend money on non-existent guests? Here’s a couple of tips:
• Request your RSVP by a date certain, i.e. RSVP by Tuesday, Jan. 11th.
• Make it clear WHY you need a response, i.e. please RSVP by Tuesday Jan 11th so I can plan properly and have enough food and goody bags for all.
• Give an email address is addition to a phone number- makes it just a bit easier for parents that don’t really know you to respond.
• Instead of the standard “RSVP”, try being more explicit, i.e. “please either call (phone #) or email (email address) by Tuesday, Jan 11th to let us know if you can attend or not so we can plan our food and activities appropriately”.
If these changes to the usual RSVP request don’t get you a higher percentage of responses, it’s hopeless, and a sad commentary on our society today. There needs to always be time for the niceties and considerations for others.
We will be posting other tips for birthday party invitations and many other birthday party ideas on our website.
