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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To wonder if charging people to attend a party is normal?

309 replies

SittingOnIt · 22/10/2025 21:03

DC will be 5.

They are having a party in a hall. With a lunch castle, that type of set up

I have a text (WhatsApp) from the mum who invited us asking for a deposit of £5 for the Papa John’s pizza. And if DC had allergies, could we please send over the money for her own personalised small pizza?

Not a joke. But I thought it was some sort of odd text scam. Then realised it couldn’t be, as it was about the party? Same text style as the woman

Is this normal, to charge for birthday food now? Seems very, very odd!

Dessert is cake and no cost there requested. My own mum would be in fits of laughter to be told someone was hosting a party and charging for food

OP posts:
SteakBakesAndHotTakes · 22/10/2025 21:06

Crazy

aWeeCornishPastie · 22/10/2025 21:06

not normal. When I had a party for my daughter when she was about 3 I bought every kids an individual McDonald’s and wouldn’t have dreamed of asking for payment

SittingOnIt · 22/10/2025 21:06

Arlanymor · 22/10/2025 21:05

Yes very odd, but what's more odd is that it's a deposit - a deposit is usually a reservation payment. Do you pay more if they need a separate pizza but if they're fine with Hawaiian then that's the full cost? It doesn't make sense to me...

Good point. Hasn’t been clarified by her!

OP posts:
Bluehels · 22/10/2025 21:05

This has never happened to any party my children have been invited to!

LadeOde · 22/10/2025 21:05

Not normal at all. Some people have no shame.

goldenautumnleaves25 · 22/10/2025 21:05

No, not normal. 2 kids, millions of parties, never paid. We bring a present, that’s enough
you throw the party you can afford!

Arlanymor · 22/10/2025 21:05

Yes very odd, but what's more odd is that it's a deposit - a deposit is usually a reservation payment. Do you pay more if they need a separate pizza but if they're fine with Hawaiian then that's the full cost? It doesn't make sense to me...

HardworkSendHelp · 22/10/2025 21:04

That’s ridiculous, if you can’t pay for the party don’t have a party.

SittingOnIt · 22/10/2025 21:03

First sentence should say bouncy castle, not lunch castle!

OP posts: