AIBU to limit birthday meal spend?

[HmmmIwonder]

Dd wants to go to Nandos for her birthday, wants to take X friends (exact number and identity will be next on the crisis list) Nandos isn't cheap, all those extras add up, so I want to limit the spend to £10 per kid (ideally less if I thought I could get away with it) . The kids would have £10 each to spend and then have to top up for extras. Is this completely mad/ unreasonable/too cheap to think of? (Sorry to post in two threads, I was looking for a Total Cheapskate thread but couldnt find one blush)

[JudysJudgement]

ring nandos and ask if they do a party thing

disclaimer: never heard of or been to nandos so have no idea who/what they do or dont do

[Pagwatch]

Don't try and impose an amount on the children invited.

Work out how much you can afford. Work out how many meals pus reasonable number of drinks that will pay for. Then deduct one more child.

Then tell her how many she can invite

[sb6699]

I think you would be better choosing a meal for them and saying that's what you're having - maybe a choice of 2 things.

That way you set the budget and dont have to ask parents to contribute.

[DurhamDurham]

You could control the cost by ordering some of the huge sharing platters they serve. Depending on numbers you would ony need 3 or 4 and some of the platters include the cost of drinks (which are refillable)

I'm shamesless, when I took my eldest daughter and her mates to TGI Fridays I said 'You can choose anything you want as long as it's from the cheap set menu!'

[HmmmIwonder]

Thanks guys. Guess the answer was yes, you're completely mad/unreasonable/too cheap to think of .

[cestlavielife]

did nandos for 12 for uinder 120 - just tell them you going to nandos and they will get chicken and chips. no posh wraps or anything.

then order x number of whole chickens plain (they can add pei peri to taste) per four guests plus x amount of fries (one large fries serves 2)
plus count in one soft drink (they get unlimited top ups) each.
plus couple plates salad and couple orders humus plus pitta bread.
done.

or if they young enough order the kids meals at about £6 each which gives pudding as well plus one drink each

[MistressFrankly]

I wouldnt think it was too cheap to put a limit - have you rang nandos to see if they do any offers or discounts for parties? They might have a set menu you could arrange therefore fixing cost.

My dd is only 10 m so not had to deal with this but she was invited to my friends dd's build a bear party. She did not limit the cost per child and i nearly fainted when i saw the bill. i dont think you are being cheap. If you were you wouldnt consider taking them out at all.

[FrameyMcFrame]

How old is DD?

[Hormoneoverload]

Just looked up nandos online and found 50 per cent off vouchers on a voucher site-worth a look? Nandos.dicountvouchers.co.uk

[HmmmIwonder]

you're all helping me enormously - thanks!! Cestlavielife you sound like a Nandos expert - exactly what i need.
i'm off to look for those discount vouchers............

[bubblecoral]

I would think that was a cheap thing to do, and would spoil the enjoyment. You invited them.

But I would ask if there was a set menu and get them to use that.

[HmmmIwonder]

Oh, sorry, she's 13.

[MorallyBankrupt]

I'm not a fan of the sort party that ends up with the parents contributing..... With the cost of a present it become pretty pricey for parents to let their child go to another Childs birthday which isn't great.

Limit the children, not the food I'd say.

[LoveBeingAbleToNamechange]

I would say have a look at the menu online and do a but of working out. Tbh most parties you don't get a choice so loads of platters and sides and let them get on with it.

[FellatioNelson]

The good thing about Nando's is that there is a very limited menu so it should not be difficult to go in in advance, have a look, and work out your budget from there.

The soft drinks are bottomless IIRC, which is good as it is usually the drinks bill that can run out of control. You could just pick two or three reasonably priced things (so either quarter of piri-piri chicken, or the chicken burger or the halloumi & mushroom thing) plus one side dish (either chips, rice, coleslaw etc) then bottomless frozen yoghurts all round if you can run to that. If not it won't matter, just give them all a bit of birthday cake and they won't miss pud.)

Print up the selections yourself on your own personalised themed 'DD's Birthday Party Menu' and give the children those. That way they have to pick from your pre-selected choices and you will know what the maximum spend will be.