We were invited to the park. Should we have paid for the tickets?

[Colourworld]

Ok, the other day our family of four was invited to the wildlife park to celebrate a birthday party oo a little girl. We bought a present which costed £25.00. The tickets for 4 would have costed about £28.00. The family booked a table for the party for one hour and there were snacks. We did not pay for the tickets and now I am worried that we should have done it. There were like 5 families. I guess only the tickets costed them more than £150.00 plus the room rental. I do not know whether the other parents paid for their tickets however. Do you think that the family should not have expected other guests paying for the tickets as we had been invited by them or am I wrong? I absolutelly do not know how should it work. It would have been too costly for us to pay for the tickets but if we had too or seen other parents doint it then we would have paid. The family did not show they expected others to pay but the mother mentioned she wished she just had a party at home as her little girl did not really care about it. She said that her husband decided to make a party.

[SixtyFootDoll]

I am not too sure about that one. Maybe just ring the host and tell her you have been worrying about it and ask outright.

[curlymama]

They invited you to a party, so no, you shouldn't worry about paying for the tickets.

The mother suggesting they should have had a prty at home may have nothing to do with the cost.

[GlitteryBalls]

The probably bought a special party package or soemthing and got a group booking discount. If they didn't ask you for the moeny then don't worry.

[SuePurblybiltByElves]

Did they invite all four of you? If some of you tagged along then I think maybe you should offer. If it was a clear invitation then no, you shouldn't pay.

Can you not ring and say that you've been worrying about not having given them anything for the tickets and do you owe anything?

[diddl]

I think it´s very tricky when adults go as well, isn´t it because it hovers somewhere between a birthday treat for the birthday girl & a few families meeting up together.

I think I would expect to pay for myself, my husband & the child who wasn´t the firend of the birthday girl.

[diddl]

"firend"??

[Colourworld]

May be they did have a special discount as they are regular visitors to the park. I cannot call her as of course she will say no. We were all invited to the party. I think, may be we will get them a nice Christmas present.
My husband would not have paid for it and would tell me to get lost. But I am always like that. I would rather had stayed home than have all these worries now.

[diddl]

Well if you were all invited to the party/celebration rather than just there to look after your own invited child, then I think they should pay.

[Colourworld]

"I think I would expect to pay for myself, my husband & the child who wasn´t the firend of the birthday girl."

We do see each other from time to time. Our kids play. I sometimes do not know whether she is happy about the presents we give her. They give us presents us well. May be they can afford more than we can but usually we would spend on presents more than £10.00 for one child. I for example would tell her how happy my child is with her present given by them. I do not think we give some rubbish, so I do not know whether it is just her personality or she expects more. Their family earn more than us; I think we spend more than we can. But we are not stingy, always return their kind gesture. This time, however, I do not know how we should have behaved.

[ApocalypseCheese]

Whereabouts are you ?? Have posted a thingy in Chat about the zoo in south lakes it's freee

[Colourworld]

Well, it reminds me of the weddings. Obviously, you would not expect your guest to pay for the venue, right. We could not have afforded a similar birthday party. However, if we did invite other parents than we would pay for everything. So, may be I should not worry much about it. We will get the kids a nice Christmas presents.

[grumpypants]

I think you sound lovely and should not worry anymore. If she is funny with you later on, you could say something but if she carries on as normal, then you will have no need to worry. We do not judge our friends by what they buy the dcs. (Except my childfree cousin who recently invested in a microphone plus stand and musical backing track. )

[Colourworld]

ApocalypseCheese, we too far from that place. This zoo is free. How do they manage?

[Colourworld]

grumpypants, I know it is not nice to judge our friends but soemtimes I wonder what is wrong. Or may be I am just thinking too much.

[2rebecca]

I think this sort of invite is difficult. I would expect the person inviting to pay as this probably isn't something you'd choose to spend your money on otherwise and it's alot of money. If you were expected to pay I'd expect a "would you like to come with our family to celebrate Tarquin's birthday? It will cost you £ though so we understand if you choose not to" type invite. It seems a bit OTT for a birthday to invite all those families though. I've never had a "whole family" invite, they're usually drop and run in our area. 5 families sounds alot to keep together in a wildlife park.

[ApocalypseCheese]

Think it's because the animals need to be fed etc anyway so they may as well make money in the cafe/gift shop and skating rink. Bloody good idea, he's kept the heated indoor picnic areas open tho, we always go at christmas, it's really lovely and the kids get to do a nativity seen (with real animals!!!) in Santas lodge.

Have met the owner a few times, he hosts a lot of charity nights and does dreamnight at the zoo (a special night for children with disabilities where they have a barbecue, get to feed the animals etc) he's a decent enough guy and the zoo is lovely.

[Goingspare]

I would think it was a party rate that was paid by your hosts. There is a farm park near us which charges about £10 per head for each child at one of its parties (minimum 10 children), but for each paid-for party guest, one adult is allowed in free. This includes a tour and various activities and a party lunch or tea for the children, and as much tea and coffee as the adults need.

It's horrible when you get that sort of 'have I done the right thing here?' feeling after the event. I'd be surprised if you were expected to pay though. And you gave a generous present.

[c0rns1lk]

I would expect the host to pay. £150 is about right for a birthday package IME