When it comes to planning a child's birthday party, all you need is a fun activity and a bowl full of sweets for the day to be a success. That's exactly what one mum came to learn after organising a budget-friendly party for her eight-year-old son to enjoy with his school friends.
The 28-year-old explained how she only invited her son's five closest friends knowing she couldn't afford to cater for a class of 30. Taking to Reddit, she said: "This whole thing happened last year, but I am still getting complaints.
"It was my kid's first year in 'big kids' school' like he calls it. We are not in the best place financially; like most families, our consumer debt piled on and we are throwing every spare cent at it.
"So when it was time to throw him a party, I only invited five of his classmates, the ones he considered his friends.
"For the others I sent two dozen cupcakes and juice boxes to class.
"The invites were delivered to their houses and not in front of the other kids."
To save on money, the mum bought the ingredients to make pizzas as well as cakes and cookies, rather than hiring a party catering service.
"We had a make your own pizza station for lunch, then they played with their water guns. Then they decorated their cakes and finally their cookies to take home with them."
"Well the next [school day], the kids would not stop raving about how fun the party was, how it was the best birthday party ever.
"The other kids were not happy to not be invited. At pick up, a couple moms confronted me about not inviting their kids.
"I said that I am sorry, but it was a small party for his close friends only. They kept complaining about me excluding their kids.
"I didn't take it seriously then, but now it is a new school year, almost six months later, and I am still getting the occasional comment thrown at me."
Wanting to know whether she was wrong to only invite a handful of kids to the party, the mum has asked Reddit users what they would have done in this situation.
In response, one user said: "You invited five children. I am honestly boggled at any parents that think it's okay to confront you about the fact their child was not invited. That is absurd honestly."
Another user added: " I wouldn't invite the whole class either. They loved it because it was different. And if nobody's told you of late, you're an awesome mum."
A third user said: "Teacher opinion here - as long as the invites were given outside of school (which you stated they were) then you’re fine.
"It's one thing to give specific students invitations in front of everyone but you can't control what kids are going to talk about."
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