You've spent money buying invitations or spent time hand making them yourself. All the perfect party details are ready. You wait to hear back. *crickets*.
When no one sends an RSVP, it puts the party host in a lurch. Do you plan goody bags for 5 kids or 25?! Without an RSVP you can't be sure whether to tell the caterer 30 people or 100 people for the retirement party.
A few years ago I stumbled upon one trick that gets guaranteed RSVPs. It's simple and effective. I first tried it for one of my children's birthday parties and got RSVPs the day after mailing invitations and had nearly 100% of people reply, even the ones who couldn't come!
Knowing who was going to be at the party made it much easier to plan!
Are you ready to know the secret to getting RSVPs?
Offer a door prize for the first person to RSVP.
That's it! On the birthday invitation, or as a slip you include inside the envelope, let guests know "Door prize for the first person to RSVP!" You could even offer it as "The first 2 people to RSVP will get a prize!"
What to offer as the RSVP prize?
Anything you want! It could be a gift card, a houseplant, locally made snacks, or a small candle for a grown-up party. For a child's party you might give the first RSVP a pack of bubbles, or the $1 size giant box of movie candy, a gift card to a local store, playdoh play pack, etc.
What you offer doesn't so much matter (and the guests won't even know until they show up to claim the prize) but just putting "Door prize for first person to RSVP!" on the invitations guarantees you'll hear back from most people and be able to plan your party accordingly.
I absolutely hate not getting RSVPs when I've worked hard to plan a party! This rsvp trick has helped me be able to better plan for party day!
Try it out and let me know if it works for you too!
.JPG "minecraft cake")
