Okay, you have done the hard work - you picked out a theme for your child's birthday party. You may have hired someone to do all the work for you or you have decided to do it for yourself. Either way the next step is all on you - you need to make the guest list.
Depending on the age of your child you may decide to keep it just family and close family friends - this is usually the best option for the first or second birthday party. Once you child starts making friends (either at daycare, preschool, or other locations) then it is time to determine how many child guests you want to attend. If the child is in a class good manners dictate that you invite the entire class so no one feels left out - if this is just too many for your party then you should only invite 3 or 4 of your childs best friends. This way they get their friends there and there are no hurt feelings the next day at school.
Once you have made the guest list it is time to get the invitations put together. You should either mail or hand deliver each invitation at least 2 weeks prior to the party to give families an adequate amount of time to make arragements. If you send them out earlier than that you run the risk of it being forgotten as other options come in. You can always send online invitations but nothing is as nice as getting handed an actual paper invitation with all of the details written out. Be sure to include an RSVP number with a request - a lot of people will not think to RSVP but you should always provide the option.
Depending on the age of your child you may decide to keep it just family and close family friends - this is usually the best option for the first or second birthday party. Once you child starts making friends (either at daycare, preschool, or other locations) then it is time to determine how many child guests you want to attend. If the child is in a class good manners dictate that you invite the entire class so no one feels left out - if this is just too many for your party then you should only invite 3 or 4 of your childs best friends. This way they get their friends there and there are no hurt feelings the next day at school.
Once you have made the guest list it is time to get the invitations put together. You should either mail or hand deliver each invitation at least 2 weeks prior to the party to give families an adequate amount of time to make arragements. If you send them out earlier than that you run the risk of it being forgotten as other options come in. You can always send online invitations but nothing is as nice as getting handed an actual paper invitation with all of the details written out. Be sure to include an RSVP number with a request - a lot of people will not think to RSVP but you should always provide the option.