Sparqi

Help with a little party etiquette here...

Nora is having a princess party, complete with a visit from Princess Aurora. I have invited her usual party crowd, but am wondering if it would be bad form to just invite the girls from my co-op group...both are totally fixated on princesses.

There are 2 boys...who are totally NOT into princesses. I have 11 girls invited so far...pink princess paraphernalia everywhere. I cannot imagine the boys having a good time.

Should I go ahead and invite the girls or just not invite anyone from the group?

Lynni

I would invite the boys if you are going to invite the girls from the co-op. Bubbs isn't into princesses, but a magic wand and he is happy. We've been to 2 princess parties. He calls the tiara a crown, "poofs" things with the magic wand and tells everyone that he is Prince Charming.

I think the party sounds fun! I'd love to meet Princess Aurora!

mcbean

I have no etiquette worthy advice, I can only go with my gut. My gut would be stick to your 11 girls. That's plenty. It's not worth the potential aggravation from the other two moms, if you are even thinking they might feel slighted, they probably will...

lapoissonne

Stick with the girls and let the moms know that it is a "princess" party. We have done this plenty in our playgroups as the girls and boys are getting older and wanting certain theme birthdays and the princess parties have been just for the girls and it has worked perfectly. I am not offended at all that Hannah is invited and Steven isn't and I am sure the mom's with just the boys understand and are glad to have one less party to go to. Have a little party when you get together for your playdate with cupcakes to satisfy those who couldn't come. I think as they get older it is more important to tone down the guest list and just have the close friends who they can appreciate being there and enjoy their time with. Something close to the one invitee per year of age rather than 30 kids all over the place and OVERWHELMING.

symesa

Sounds like it's screaming "girlie party" to me. The boys can come another time...

Finn

I think I'd invite the whole playgroup or none at all. For us, at that age, we didn't really see a divide between girls and boys and I think they would be confused. You can give the boys a crown and sword or wizard hat and wand and they will be thrilled. Even now, Bean always invites both genders and lets them decide if they want to come or not and he does wonder why his friends who are girls don't invite them to theirs.
eta: I forgot to say that you ROCK for doing the princess party to the hilt! How fun for Nora!

Hay lady

I agree with that. All or nothing. Sorry Maybe explain to the moms that it is a princess party and they really don't have to feel obligated to come. If they do come, get the two boys a crown and let them be Prince Charming. Too cute. I have a tiara cookie cutter if you want to borrow it

Gatsby

Yeah, I'm in the all or nothing crowd, too. I also think the age makes a difference.

We have big birthday parties here, and I just invite all the boys and the girls, regardless of the theme. So, the boys enjoyed G's Mulan party last fall, and the girls enjoyed J's Star Wars party last month.

If you are worried about the number of people, just leave out the playgroup all together.

Oh, and please post pictures!! I know we will be doing a princess party for G in September!

murpheyblue

I agree with the all or none approach.

The party sounds fabulous!

jalapeno_76

I don't see the harm in inviting them... for the record, we were just at a princess party this weekend, complete with tea party and princess/prince costumes! I would say there was an equal number of boys and girls. They all seemed to enjoy it equally.