I've always thought people who invited the entire class were nuts (I couldn't afford it OR deal with the noise myself), and I think parties should be with friends. I tell my parents at the beginning of the year to do their invitations by phone and give out a phone list. Only 1-2 give them out at school. I think the parents were in the wrong here - they didn't ask for RRSP as the big mistake. I always do. My son's birthday is in 2 weeks. He's inviting 3 friends that he plays with all the time. Last year he invited his best friend we did a bunch of stuff instead of a lot of friends doing one thing. I also agree with Mimi - and rarely let him go if it's not someone he plays with.