So out of the 26 people I invited to the third Cranium Party, 9 said they couldn’t make it, 13 said they’d come, and 4 didn’t RSVP at all.
Out of the 13 people who said they’d come, only 3 of them showed up, and one of those was Jessica, who was sort of co-hosting this one with me, so fuck yeah she was there1.
That means that including me, we had four people, which is the bare minimum to play Cranium.
To say I was disappointed is an understatement. I spent a great deal of time and energy making the invitations, and cleaning the house so my guests could be comfortable. Not to mention all the food I bought, most of which went bad because there weren’t enough people to eat it (and especially when the guests who do show up also bring plenty of snacks).
We did end up playing a good game, but it was entirely not worth all the preparation.
Jessica offered to host the next one at her place — very nice of her because that really means she’s offering to shoulder all the responsibilities — but I feel like Cranium parties are my thing. An invitation is not only an invitation to play, it’s an invitation into my social circle. The guest list is tightly controlled; anyone on it is either a very close friend, or someone I can tell has the potential to be. I want to have all the responsibility, because it’s one of the ways I can show these people they’re important to me.
At the same time, some people are already asking about the next one2, which I find strange because the impression I get is that it’s a low priority, never something people put in their schedule and plan around. I’m pretty sure most only go if nothing else comes up on that day.
That’s fine by me — not everyone loves doing bad impressions of Christopher Walken as much as I do — but when people say they’re going to be there and don’t show up, it’s a complete devaluation of my efforts. I’m seriously questioning if I’m going to host another Cranium party any time soon. If I do, the next invite list will undoubtedly be much shorter.
At the very least, the day was salvaged with some bubble tea, Chinese food, and quality time with Jessica.
Yeah, that sucks.
Seems pretty common. Planning literary events there’s no way to know if you’ll get 4 or 40. It’s some plasma stream of universe interfering or something.
It’s different if it’s a personal party for people involved but even then I figure people all try to do more than they can do and get stretched to thin. The spirit is willing and the body takes a nap. If pressed for a yes or no, a person picks one arbitrarily.
Last gathering I had was just 3 people but the one before that was ambitious and for every no or maybe or no answer I got, I invited someone else. Except some who said definitely no, came. Some who said maybe came, and some didn’t and some who were definite yes, didn’t show. (shrug) Peoples. They’re strange. it’s nothing personal.
I would have loved to come if I wasn’t still recuperating!
This sort of rsvp’ing is heartbreaking. Recently my brother threw a summer party at his house. 30 people rsvp. 20 of them where my boyfriend and I’s friends (which are friends with him too), 0 showed up from my brother’s only side. He was heartbroken. It was really frustrating and sad to see.
I think people should just not confirm to go, if they aren’t planning on making it. Point finale.
Awww I feel so guilty now. :( Although I literally slept through it I know that is no consolation when you are expecting me to show up and school everyone on cranium playing.
I wasn’t trying to single anyone out, I just thought it was really sad that so many didn’t show. I read on your twitter stream that you also slept through the Sloan concert (which I’m guessing would be way more important to you than a Cranium party), so exhaustion is definitely a valid reason.
Actually I was MORE looking forward to the cranium party because I can listen to Sloan songs anytime and no one ever wants to play Cranium with me!