Slight dilemma over 4th birthday invitation?

Question

My daughter is having a party i the garden this year...just her cousins and a couple of her friends...and some of my sisters my best friends and Aunts....we will be having a bouncy castle etc...my neighbor oppposite has a 4 year old girl who is lovely and very friendly to my daughter (who is a bit shy) anyway wthe neighbor and I always have a chat if we see each other but are not on a "come round for coffee" level...she works a lot and is a single parent with not much time...the children are too young to play out together and I have felt a bit odd about just asking the neighbor and her daughter round...SO...should I just go over with an invitation to the party? I would feel So bad if the little girl were home that day and noticed the party going on...and this might be good opportunity to get to know them better...I just feel funny about it as I dont realy want her to feel pressured into it or feel she has to buy a present! I dont want to say "dont get a present" incase she thinks

Answer 1

just put an invitation through her door and then she won't feel obliged to say yes face to face.  Or maybe your daughter could deliver the invitation to the other girl or write it herself.  Then there won't be the awkwardness and the focus is around the children having a party..

Answer 2

Why not tell everyone 'no presents'? It saves on a lot of unwanted gifts.

Answer 3

Yes, invite the girl and her mum. they are probably not too poor to bring a little girl something for her birthday, (im the daughter of a single mum) and they little girl would def feel badly if she saw the bounce-house. this would be a great opportunity for the little girls to get to know eachother. best of luck!

Answer 4

You are a kind thoughtful neighbour!. Write her a brief note saying how your daughters could enjoy this party together, and how you you also would like to the mum to come and meet your family and friends.

Your neighbour might be touched by your asking and will give a present of what she can afford - us mums just do, don't we?

Hope you both get to make firm friends for the future.

Answer 5

just take over an invite and write no present please on it and then ask your family to reserve giving presents to another time maybe after the party.this way she will not feel obligated and it will be natural that family would stay longer than guests.

Answer 6

It would be nice to extend the invitation to her.  

For my kids birthdays I always ask that the parents do not bring gifts.  My kids have too many things already and I would rather have the friends just share in the celebration.

You could just tell the mom that you would love for the girls to get to know each other better and that you would prefer no gifts.

Answer 7

You might as well invite her. Even low income parents can always scrounge up something fun, like bubbles, candy, cupcakes, cheap little gizmos. And since you don't have a problem with her, why not try to make a new friend :)

Answer 8

I think it's a great opportunity to get to know some them, for yourself and your daughter. Plus they will have a chance to meet some of your friends/family in the area. I think the girl would feel very left out if she came home and there was a party going on that she wasn't invited to. Just walk over with your daughter and maybe have your daughter give it to her friend. And say if they can make it, it'd be great.

Answer 9

Just cancel the event. It will save time. effort, money and any embarrassment .

Answer 10

Just go over there and say " I just wanted to let you know we are having a b-day for so and so on such and such day... I would like for your daughter to come.!  You don't have to bring anything either.  You can come too if you like!!! "

Very nice gesture of you BTW!!!!  Have fun!!!!  Can I come???!!