http://abcnews.go.com/Lifestyle/year-receives-invoice-missing-friends-party/story?id=28330445

http://i384.photobucket.com/albums/oo283/tzgames/35b32f71-06a1-42ef-b270-28f318c5bfad_zps7f3d750f.gif

This seems to be a major topic of discussion in the UK right now. I actually have some sympathy for the people who sent the invoice. The event wasn't cake and ice cream at someone's house - it was at some sort of theme park, and they had to pay up front per person. The parents of the kid who didn't show up don't even claim there was any emergency - they just decided to do something else. They didn't make any attempt to contact the host, even afterward to apologize for missing the party.

Anyway, if you agree to go somewhere you should show up. If something completely stops you from showing up, then you do your best to let the host know and to make apologies. If you know they put out money per head, you offer to reimburse their expense.

You're right, it was more than cake & ice-cream. According to the link, it was supposed to be at a ski resort. The thing is that the boy only verbally agreed to be there which most likely wouldn't be considered legal and binding in small claims court then again they should've at least them know that the grandparents were in town and that he wouldn't be attending. Looking at it again, I think it would be considerate on the parent's part to just go ahead and pay it but I don't think they're legally obligated to.

The invitee parents claimed they couldn't find the invitation. If they knew something about it, they could have called a neighbor, their son's school, some one who would have been able to give them the party givers phone number to say little Bobby won't be able to come. On the other hand, a theme park party for a 5 year old. What happened to cake and ice cream , or is that too old school?.