We missed a birthday party at a party place. I called one day early to say we couldn't make it due to the flu.

Do you send a present to the boy anyway? John got invited to the party because he is a classmate of the boy.

Usually I thought if it was a close friend or you missed the party without calling to cancel - a birthday present is nice but not expected.

I just don't know if she had to pay for him because of the late cancelation.


What do you think?

By Bea on Wednesday, February 1, 2006 - 02:53 pm:

I'd hold off on the gift unless you already bought something special just for him. If you think that you cancelled too late, then call and offer to reimburse his Mom.

By Kaye on Wednesday, February 1, 2006 - 03:19 pm:

Typically you only pay for those who attend. That is as long as they met their minimum. So like mcdonalds cost 12 bucks a kid, min of 8 kids, so they have to pay for the 8, but each on top of that is an extra 12.

You are not expected to send a gift. If he is good friends with this boy, then I would, but if it is just a casual acquaintance I would blow it off.

By Dawnk777 on Wednesday, February 1, 2006 - 04:45 pm:

Emily invited someone to a party once, and that girl ended up being sick. She brought over a present about a week later. I thought that was nice, but she certainly didn't have to! Maybe mom had already bought the present anyway.

By Yjja123 on Wednesday, February 1, 2006 - 04:49 pm:

I would send a gift.

By Ginny~moderator on Wednesday, February 1, 2006 - 08:28 pm:

I don't think you are "obligated" for a gift, since the boy is not a close friend. However, if it were me I'd ask the mom if she spent money because you and ds weren't there, and if she did, I'd reimburse her. However, you did call her the day before - it's not like you had accepted and then just didn't show.

By Imamommyx4 on Thursday, February 2, 2006 - 03:37 pm:

Around here I don't think it is expected. But I had told a mom that I was coming, then about 5 hours before the party, realized I couldn't get her there. I did call the mom and let her know that we weren't going to be there. I had not already gotten the gift. I was going to get it on the way there. But I did get him a gift anyway and let dd give it to him at school. That's just me though. I think I have a problem with overcompensating for something although I'm not real sure why I think I have to do it.