Uninvited siblings, late RSVPs, “no gifts” requests and increasingly elaborate celebrations are testing old birthday-party manners.
![Kids’ Birthday Party Etiquette: RSVPs, Siblings And Gifts [The Question]](https://patch.com/img/cdn20/shutterstock/790386/20260827/051946/styles/patch_image/public/shutterstock-758443186___27170514925.jpg)
Block parties can be fun — unless you’d rather skip the small talk, the potluck and the awkward questions about why you’re not joining in.
From a brand partner: T-Mobile's Friday Night 5G Lights returns with 1,000 $5K winners and a $1 million grand prize.
Through Zip’s Mailbox Club, this local dad has found a way to turn memories into an interactive story told through personalized letters.
My political analysis of the week's top stories
Classroom catches fire and, of course, the snake was blamed; human skull donated to thrift; ‘Chucky’ suspect nabbed; that’s a big fish, man.
Back-to-school costs are pushing some parents toward credit, side jobs, resale and even gambling as the annual school tab keeps climbing.
From a brand partner: New iPhones, Apple Watches and AirPods could be on the way. Here’s when and where to tune in.
From a brand partner: From making new friends to trying new things, readers offer words of wisdom for students heading back to class.
From a brand partner: From investing to cutting recurring costs, these strategies can help you put extra cash to work.
From a brand partner: At higher net worth, the value financial advisors may provide could potentially outweigh the costs.
The Supreme Court let President Donald Trump’s mail-voting order advance ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections.
More imported beef could ease record-high hamburger prices, but savings may be slim, and U.S. ranchers warn the plan could undercut them.
An estimated 38.4 million motorists illegally passed stopped school buses in 2025-26, violating laws nationwide meant to protect students.
About 96 percent of the moon will pass through Earth’s dark shadow, or umbra, in the “deep lunar eclipse.” Here are the best viewing times.
The condensed programs have exploded in popularity, with at least one college in 26 states offering them.
After first trying to ban AI use, a growing number of U.S. public schools are trying a new strategy: encouraging classroom experimentation.
Time is running short to impose major changes, as some states will begin sending mail ballots to voters in just a few weeks.
Readers agree unmanaged cats are a problem but split over roaming pets, feeding ferals, TNR and who should bear the responsibility.
Recalls have been issued or updated for frozen bars, dog food linked to illnesses, high-risk frozen berries, eye drops and vehicles.
My weekly analysis of the top political stories
From a brand partner: From beach-day classics to road-trip anthems, see which songs Patch readers say belong on the soundtrack to summer.
