Communion Party Invites

C.-

I think that one way to handle this is to address teh invitation specifically to the child and not to his/her family. In addition, you could write in the invitation that you are more than happy to provide transportation for the child. That should make it clear to the parents that the entire family is not invited. Good luck!

J.

Send the invitation in the childs name only...The invite should read the location, date and hour of the party along with an RSVP phone number. If you are going to make arrangements to have these children driven to and from the party...also add that information in the invitation along with the name of the driver and the pick up and delivery time. (((If you want to be at your party earlier to greet your guests, that time will be different then the time of the actual starting time of the party...unless someone else then you is going to be doing the driving.)))) And because you are making special arrangements for children, be sure you follow this up with a phone call to their parents a week before the party so everyone is on the same planet and there are no misunderstandings...

I can understand that you want to keep the guest list small. But I can't understand why you want to take on the responsibility of these other children on a day that is going to be hectic for you. Inviting these children without a parent means you will have to supervise these children properly at all times. For them it means going to a party...in general it's going to be an adult party...not exactly a play day for them.. Unless you are going to provide one adult to supervise these children at the party...This wont leave you much time to enjoy your party and your other guests. I tend to think you need to re-think what you are willing to take on...

As for your #2 reason that families don't know each other....I don't see this as a problem. At parties, people meet and mengle with each other even if they have never met before. They are all there for a common cause of celibrating your childs communion and having a good time...

This is just my opinion but I think communion party invites are better to stay within the family. Its not like a birthday party where you have children attend without their families. Your daughters friends will most likely be making their communion so I think it would be okay to not extend the invites to them. I think it will be difficult for you to entertain your guests and be responsible for tending to your daughters friends. Having children attend this type of party without their parents can be exhausting and a big responsibility. Just my opinion.

Personally I see communion as a family celebration and do not plan to invite any of my children's friends. But if that is what you want to do, it should be no problem to issue an invitation to the child unless the parents are involved in your daughter's life in some way. I don't see why you need to offer to do any driving either unless it is far away. After all, parents bring and pick their kids up from a birthday party. Why should this be any different?

You child is old enough to have quests without their parents. Simply state on the invitation the drop off time and pick up time / reassure that all children will be supervised and thank them for allowing their child to attend your family celebration.

My experience is that most moms and dads will not expect to go and are relieved that their child has been asked to attend without them (unless they are very close friends). If these are close friends you are not inviting just let them know you are inviting family only and friends of your child (they will understand).

Have fun!

My son is also receiving Communion. Communion is a family celebration, and I'm not sure where you are having your party, but don't you have enough to worry about without watching other people's children? Also, Communion is a not a birthday or gathering that kids should be dropped off. They are dressed up, getting food, and other things. Also, I'm sure your child wants kids from class or whatever, who are more than likely having their own Communion parties. My son's best friend Mom and I planned ours a day apart so they could go to each others. If you're trying to keep your list down, then don't invite them if you can't do the whole family, I'm sorry I just think it sounds rude, and I would never send my child to a Communion party without me.

Hi C.,
While I'm not of a faith where there are communion celebrations, I believe that I would keep the party to family and family friends. My kids have plenty of friends who are Catholic, and they were never invited to a communion party. I feel like my kids being invited to a party like this would be an obligation that I wasn't anticipating. Even if you say "No Gifts" on the invitation, most people won't show up at a party without one, and the cost of gifts for all the birthday parties the kids get invited to in the cost of a year is already making a lot of parents reconsider allowing their kids to go to many parties Unless it's what is done in this circle of friends, I don't think I'd invite the kids.
No matter what you decide, I hope that it is a wonderful day for you and for your daughter.

One way that I've learned to do which will eliminate the question of whether or not it's family would be to mail the invitation to the child - that way it's pretty clear & u don't have to feel ackward about it. Unfortunately this only becomes more difficult the older they get and believe me, there will be times that you have parents that don't want to stay. I can remember my daughter's 5th b-day we had the class of 14 pre-schoolers & I think only about 5 of the parents stayed. Good luck!

i just put the childs name on the invite.. and told the parents on the invite.. that they can drop them off at ___ whatever time and when they came to drop off .. i said you can pick them up about whatever time.. or to call me.. if they are having fun... maybe they can stay a while. good luck.

C.,
My girlfriend did this last year for her daughter. She really wanted her friends to be there for her, but mom didn't know parents that well. They invited the kids only and they were all dropped off at the party and picked up later on in the day. My friend had an arts and crafts section for all of the kids to make projects and every kids had a blast.

Good luck and I hope this helps.
~J.

You may want to think twice about this one... are the children going to be invited to the Mass and the party? I would not have unattended 8 yr olds in church or in my home with all of the family who would likely be there. This isn't a birthday party. If you really want all these kids there, then put the child's name on the invitation and leave it up to the parents just as you would for a birthday party. Just make sure you have plenty of child-friendly activities so that the kids are entertained and not under the feet of the family and other adults. You may want to consider hiring a babysitter for the party to watch the kids so you can "entertain".