Would you attend a birthday party if you were invited a day before the party?

United States
March 31, 2012 9:53pm CST
My family was invited to a birthday party by phone tonight and when is the party? Tomorrow and is located at a buffet. That is pretty last minute right? On top of that, the party is going to be at a buffet meaning you pay for yourself because when you go in, you pay before you eat and then on top of that since it's a birthday party - a gift should be present too. Paying for a FOOD + a Present, I don't think so.. because that's not a party. A party is where we go to eat and we give a present not both. If you were invited to a party a day prior, would you even go? It seems like the person ran out of guests and need "more" people to attend. Has this ever happened to you? Would you go? We aren't going because we're already busy.
2 people like this
14 responses
• Valdosta, Georgia
1 Apr 12
I agree with another responder. If the person did everything last minute all the time then I would go if I could. If it was someone that usually does things ahead of time I would feel offended and like I was not thought of before then. It definitely depends on the person. I do not like feeling as though I am least important...
1 person likes this
• United States
26 Apr 12
Great point and I totally agree =]
• Valdosta, Georgia
26 Apr 12
Thanks for the best response! =)
@kolsti87 (521)
• United States
1 Apr 12
It depends on a few things. If I barely know them, I'm not going to go on such short notice unless the party seems really cool and I don't have anything else to do that night. But if it's close friends or family and I don't have any conflicting plans scheduled, I'll try my best to make it and maybe pick up a gift along the way or something.
1 person likes this
• United States
26 Apr 12
Thanks for the heads up =]
@myfb2009 (8296)
• Malaysia
1 Apr 12
Infatua, i ever been invited to attend a child's birthday party at the very last moment. My aunt invited me to attend her child birthday party. Luckily that i wasn't busy on that day, so i attend the party. Since it was invited at the very last moment, so i am unable to buy any gift for her. So, i only give her some money as a gift. Lucky that her child don't mind it since i ask my aunt to bring her go choose herself what gift she want and buy with that money.
• United States
26 Apr 12
Thanks for sharing and glad you weren't busy so you were able to visit her childs bday.
@much2say (53872)
• Los Angeles, California
17 Apr 12
It depends. I don't think we've been invited a day before, but we have been invited like half a week before. A friend of ours has been inviting us via Facebook for the past couple years for their kids . . . and she basically says, oh I didn't have time to send out invitations but we're having a party this weekend for X if you can make it. And we almost always go to their parties. But if it were the day before, we most likely would go (we love birthday parties - ha ha) - that is, if we didn't have any other plans. Getting a gift last minute is no biggie because I usually have extra emergency presents in the closet that just might work. But yah, I kind of frown on paying for food and giving a gift. In most cases, the food is provided - as well it should be in my opinion. Are you sure you will have to pay? Sometimes the host will pay ahead of time for all their guests . . . believe it or not we had a buffet type wedding party . . . we paid upfront for 100 some guests - we got half the restaurant to ourselves and it was part of the restaurant's Sunday lunch buffet!!! But I don't know about for the birthday party you've been invited to (ahhh, hate those gray areas) - it'd be nice if the host made it clear so there are no assumptions. We went to one birthday party for twin boys that was at the park. It was strange to me that the mother said it would be a potluck thing. . . and to bring something "main course" item specific that she listed. So we did - and not only did we bring a gift - but a gift times two for the twins. It was just odd to me as I never been to a kids party that was situated like this!
1 person likes this
@violann (436)
• United States
28 Jul 12
No I wouldn't go, chances are I've already made plans for that day. First of all you shouldn't wait til the day before an event to invite someone, second that's just rude to do so, it's as though you were an after thought As far as I'm concerned to be invited to something the day before it happens would be calling a friend and saying let's do something tomorrow, a spur of the moment thing, not a planned event. Just my thought.
1 person likes this
1 Apr 12
It really depends. It seems like the person invited you is not really a close companion. If that is the case with me, I'd simply tell that I can't come. I don't think a really close friend of mine will invite me on the last minute. Also, there would be a very limited time to go and buy a present.
1 person likes this
@marty3888 (2355)
• Acme, Michigan
1 Apr 12
It depends who it is. I have gone to many parties at my brother's house that were one day notice. It depends who it is and if I have any plans.
• United States
26 Apr 12
Good point, yeah if its a "close" person like a sibling I would have no problem.
• Philippines
23 Apr 12
If I would have to pay for food too I won't come. It's okay if I come and bring the present as long as the food's free but me going to pay for food too? No. It's good that you decided not to go.
@shaggin (71655)
• United States
11 Sep 12
I have been invited to a party the night before. It was a very impromtu thing so I was very surprised how many people showed up for such a last minute thing. It was basically just snacks and cake at a playground but the kids all had fun. I think the supposed party that you were invited to was ridiculous. If they paid for the food thats a party you having to pay for your own food plus a present is too much.
@adhyz82 (36249)
• Indonesia
1 Apr 12
it really depends on situation in my self.. they invited us one day before the party, it means they must be ready if we had an another appointment in that day
• United States
26 Apr 12
thanks for sharing
@06MLam (620)
1 Apr 12
I don't I think I will go as I don't have the present prepared yet and would usually have something else planned already. However, if that is an important person whose birthday I have forgotten, then I will go.
• United States
26 Apr 12
Same I ended up not going
@asliah (11137)
• Philippines
28 Jul 12
hi, i think its not a party because why your family need to pay first before they can enter and eat since its a party,if you says party and you are invited meaning you can go there with free food and entrance,if that happen to me i will tell to my family not to go.
@GokuKid (55)
2 Apr 12
No, I wouldn't it would be too much short notice.
• Philippines
14 Sep 12
It depends on the situation, if I had planned an appointment on that day,chances are I will not go there. However, if it is my relative's birthday and I've nothing important to do on that day,I would definitely attend the party.