Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

Cost of husband’s 40th party

416 replies

naavaaira · 22/01/2026 16:23

Posting here for traffic.
I am organising a surprise party for my husband’s 40th. He is the kind who loves being centre of attention and would love the surprise! I have never ever organised a proper event like this so have no idea of average cost and your input would be appreciated. I’m looking to cater his favourite Turkish food, inflatable night club in the garden, alcohol, cake, nibbles, and other bits all coming to around £1200 for 16 adults and 8 kids. Does that sound average or a lot?

OP posts:
BlanketyBlankBlank · 24/01/2026 12:49

Griff1963 · 24/01/2026 12:49

Every day!

????

BlanketyBlankBlank · 24/01/2026 12:49

skippy67 · 24/01/2026 12:09

Huh??

Show quote history

She “works in mental health” apparently so knows what she’s talking about 🙄 ! Based on a few lines.

I think the next line might be, log it with 101, get your ducks in a row and LTB!

Griff1963 · 24/01/2026 12:49

Every day!

BlanketyBlankBlank · 24/01/2026 12:47

Griff1963 · 24/01/2026 12:14

I work in mental health, and extroverts hate not to be the centre of attention, and they are 99% me, me, me, and will sulk when anyone else gets the attention they crave.

Show quote history

If you work in me yal health and accuse people of having g mental health illnesses based on a few line, then you’re a disgrace and in the wrong job! I trust you’re not diagnosing or treating people!

HarvestMouseandGoldenCups · 24/01/2026 12:31

£50 a head seems reasonable

Onleemoi · 24/01/2026 12:20

Some of these posts! 😆

I hope the party goes well OP and your husband has fun.

Griff1963 · 24/01/2026 12:14

BlanketyBlankBlank · 24/01/2026 11:56

They’re not mutually exclusive? How often do you label people with a “mental health illness”?

Show quote history

I work in mental health, and extroverts hate not to be the centre of attention, and they are 99% me, me, me, and will sulk when anyone else gets the attention they crave.

skippy67 · 24/01/2026 12:09

Griff1963 · 24/01/2026 11:19

Why the f**k would you want to make him even more the centre of attention! That's a mental health issue right there!

Huh??

BlanketyBlankBlank · 24/01/2026 11:56

Griff1963 · 24/01/2026 11:26

The lovely hard working man, that loves to be the centre of attention??

Show quote history

They’re not mutually exclusive? How often do you label people with a “mental health illness”?

Griff1963 · 24/01/2026 11:26

BlanketyBlankBlank · 24/01/2026 11:24

What a weird response! What the hell are you talking about “mental health issue”, have you mistaken OP for being the wife of a totally controlling violent coercive man? Not the lovely hard working one she’s described?

Show quote history

The lovely hard working man, that loves to be the centre of attention??

BlanketyBlankBlank · 24/01/2026 11:24

Griff1963 · 24/01/2026 11:19

Why the f**k would you want to make him even more the centre of attention! That's a mental health issue right there!

What a weird response! What the hell are you talking about “mental health issue”, have you mistaken OP for being the wife of a totally controlling violent coercive man? Not the lovely hard working one she’s described?

jbm16 · 24/01/2026 11:23

Griff1963 · 24/01/2026 11:19

Why the f**k would you want to make him even more the centre of attention! That's a mental health issue right there!

There are some really strange people on this thread... It's a milestone birthday and the OP knows he would enjoy party with his family and friends.

Griff1963 · 24/01/2026 11:19

Why the f**k would you want to make him even more the centre of attention! That's a mental health issue right there!

miss79guided · 24/01/2026 11:06

naavaaira · 22/01/2026 16:23

Posting here for traffic.
I am organising a surprise party for my husband’s 40th. He is the kind who loves being centre of attention and would love the surprise! I have never ever organised a proper event like this so have no idea of average cost and your input would be appreciated. I’m looking to cater his favourite Turkish food, inflatable night club in the garden, alcohol, cake, nibbles, and other bits all coming to around £1200 for 16 adults and 8 kids. Does that sound average or a lot?

and other bits all coming to around £1200 for 16 adults and 8 kids

> For that, just HIRE somewhere

Community Centre, Sports Gym
> Get everythin delivered there

supersop60 · 24/01/2026 10:06

Placetobreathe · 22/01/2026 18:29

Oh my goodness. MN certainly highlights the them and us culture doesn't it?

I can't even envisage a world where spending this much on a 40th birthday would be considered normal.

Entitlement and privilege springs to mind.

I probably wouldn’t spend that much, but there’s nothing entitled about it at all!
It sounds like a fun evening OP - I’m guessing my invitation is in the post????

XiCi · 24/01/2026 10:05

For everyone frothing about the noise for the neighbours, there's actually very little from the inflatable disco. There was a spate of dd and her friends getting them for birthday parties when they were 13/14 and the noise is very well contained inside the inflatable. They're really good fun.

I think your party sounds lovely OP. I would need more budget for alcohol but you will know best what your guests are likely to put away. I'd get extra just to be sure though. You don't want to be running to tesco metro for beers when the party is in full swing 😊

mambojambodothetango · 24/01/2026 09:35

I'm organising a similar party and it's costing c. £7k so I'd say that's reasonable!! But not quite the same - hiring a venue, band etc.

skippy67 · 24/01/2026 08:14

Placetobreathe · 22/01/2026 18:29

Oh my goodness. MN certainly highlights the them and us culture doesn't it?

I can't even envisage a world where spending this much on a 40th birthday would be considered normal.

Entitlement and privilege springs to mind.

Oh bore off misery guts.

Hopingtobeaparent · 24/01/2026 08:04

AppleDumplingWithCustard · 23/01/2026 20:58

It seems that some people can’t miss an opportunity to piss on somebody’s bonfire. There are some miserable sods on here. I hate noise and would object if I had neighbours who partied in their garden every weekend but this is a one-off special event. If OP wants to spend this amount, which imo isn’t excessive then that’s up to her. It isn’t ‘privilege’. She may have been saving for ages for all we know. And who cares if samosas aren’t Greek food, FFS! OP is doing a lovely thing for a much-loved and generous husband. I hope it goes well OP. I’m sure your husband will be thrilled to bits.

This!

Honestly, some people…🙄

Hopingtobeaparent · 24/01/2026 07:55

@naavaaira

Party sounds great fun! Well done you for organising, I hope he does indeed love it!

Have a great time! 🥳 🥂 🎂 🕺

Booboobagins · 23/01/2026 22:59

No idea where you are but I was looking at a Turkish restaurant (in Leamington Spa) for my birthday - food was a la carte c£35 a head - with belly dancing and other entertainment. Sure it's not a private affair, but had they been able to fit us in, it would have been great fun.

A private party at £50 a head sounds OK to me though you will need to clear up...

Greycatclub · 23/01/2026 22:28

Snakebite61 · 23/01/2026 19:35

I could go on a two week holiday for that.

But where to? I think I’d rather stay home 😂

MsDitsy · 23/01/2026 22:19

naavaaira · 22/01/2026 16:23

Posting here for traffic.
I am organising a surprise party for my husband’s 40th. He is the kind who loves being centre of attention and would love the surprise! I have never ever organised a proper event like this so have no idea of average cost and your input would be appreciated. I’m looking to cater his favourite Turkish food, inflatable night club in the garden, alcohol, cake, nibbles, and other bits all coming to around £1200 for 16 adults and 8 kids. Does that sound average or a lot?

Sounds fab and lots of fun. Just the right amount of guests too, some birthday parties ive been to have had a couple of hundred guests. Couldn't do the inflatable here where i live at this time of year. Feels like we are in a constant wind tunnel, its the reason we have so many wind turbines.

BlanketyBlankBlank · 23/01/2026 22:17

SemiRetiredLoveGoddeess · 23/01/2026 19:23

As Mumsnet is one of the homes of conspicuous consumption l wasn't surprised to see the projected cost of this 40th bash.

Your Turkish Caterers are well over the mark. They are taking the piss.

As for your Inflatable Night Club. I suppose you can inflate anything, especially the price.Concept sounds a bit childish and silly to me to be honest

I hope you don't have this party outdoors on a windy night. Mary Poppins beware.

Can you not hire a function room with drinks and catering?

Oh yeah a lovely soulless church hall would be just the fun venue for a party!

charlieandthechocolatfactory · 23/01/2026 22:07

So cheap