Separate Invitations Not Needed for Siblings

Dear Dr. Dave and Dr. Dee,

This is my first time giving a block birthday party for my 5-year-old daughter. For brothers and sisters in the same household, is it necessary to send separate invitations? My sister-in-law thinks that kids should be treated as separate individuals, so I should send out separate invitations to each. It seems like a waste of time, energy, and money to me. But, I want to do the right thing.

Signed,

Overly Worried

Dear Overly Worried,

No, separate birthday party invitations are not necessary for siblings in the same household. The proper way to send siblings an invitation is to simply write their names on the same envelope with the oldest sibling first, i.e. "Jane, Michael, and John Smith."

The only time separate invitations are sent to siblings is if they are 18 or older and it's for a wedding.