PithupA parent's birthday brings the family chat to life. One household has children's activities on Saturday, another has a Sunday commitment, and a sibling is working a weekend shift. By the time someone has called everyone, the first schedule may have changed. This guide uses an illustrative family gathering.
Agree on who each response represents
If one person responds for a household, ask them to check with everyone in that household first. A response labelled with a family name represents that group's availability, not an automatically verified number of diners. Work out the restaurant headcount separately.
Include the birthday guest's own schedule too. Do not assume that the person being celebrated has no other appointments.
Offer two weekends with lunch and dinner options
The exact birthday may not be the only suitable date. Open practical options on the surrounding weekends, including both lunch and dinner when the family is open to either. A one-hour step can keep a meal-planning grid manageable.
Send one link to the family chat. People can respond without installing an app or creating an account. A household representative can use a recognizable label after checking the family's plans.
Separate certain availability from a possible change
Use Available for a time that works and If needed when it depends on changing another commitment. For example, a shift that might be swapped belongs in If needed until the change is confirmed. Tap cells or use the range selector on a phone.
- 1Collect household availabilityCheck everyone's plans before replying
- 2Compare definite and flexible timesLook for a practical common option
- 3Ask about a necessary adjustmentConfirm it with the relevant household
- 4Check restaurant availabilityConfirm the dining headcount separately
- 5Send one announcementInclude the time and location
Check the household that needs to adjust
There may be no time that is definitely free for everyone. If a candidate could work after a flexible response is confirmed, Pithup can show that option and draft a request. Ask the relevant person whether the change is actually possible rather than asking the whole family to vote again. The request is not sent automatically.
Book the table and share the plan
Once the family agrees, check the restaurant and book through its own process. Send the date, time, location and actual number of diners in the family chat. If you entered a location in Pithup, people can also see it when they reopen the invitation.
Children's schedules may make lunch and dinner very different options, so check both when appropriate. A new event can be used for another family occasion, with fresh dates and replies instead of assuming that this gathering's availability still applies.