What would you do about this fireworks get together invite?!

[Andjustlikethatihadnoclue]

In the summer a few of our neighbours had bbqs and we took it in turns to invite each other over. Bring a bottle and we provided all the food etc. it was lovely. An older couple who came who have no children and a smaller house and they want to repay the favour of the invite which is lovely. But they've invited us on bonfire night which would be ok as we'd go early doors and be back for the dog before the fireworks probably get going.
Now I've had a message from her asking me to bring fireworks and the other people going are bring some. I said ok thinking I could get a little box to leave with them as I make my excuses.

Now another neighbour has messaged asking me to drop off £40 and she will get the fireworks and that's what everyone else is putting in!!

£40 is a lot for me esp as I won't be there for the fireworks. My dog will be too scared on her own.

But I look really tight if I say I'm not giving it to her.

What should I do?!

You be honest and say ' i am really sorry, i can't afford to contribute 40 pound. I can give you the ten I was going to spend on my contribution?
Sounds like you're all going to town!'

Be dead straight and honest.

£40!!! They're being very cheeky. I'd just say you were popping along to be sociable but weren't planning to stay for the fireworks because of the dog. You're happy to contribute a small box of fireworks which you'd like to choose yourself.

Even if i COULD afford it, there is No WAY i would be chipping in 40 quid!

I wouldn't go. £40 is a lot of money to literally go up in smoke. Alternatively tell them you don't like fireworks and will be leaving before they start to be with your dog (as you intend). There's no need to contribute if you're not taking part in the fireworks.

£40 is a lot right?! For fireworks I think. But then I've never bought any before so I really have no clue. My little boy doesn't like the noise anyway so we'd get zero pleasure out of them!

Tell them that on principle you cannot contribute to fireworks, which are dangerous, pollute the environment, terrify animals and birds, and are responsible for countless livestock deaths every year.

‘Ah, sorry, hadn’t realised this was a serious firework ‘do’. Sadly we can’t take part as we need to be at home with the dog…because if the fireworks! Have a great night, everyone xx’

Say you’ll bring sparklers for the kids but that you can’t stay for the big fireworks because of the dog?

£40 on fireworks lmao she’s making a profit. I mean you could go to the Alton Towers display for about that much.

Say you have already bought some, take some silent ones and ask if they can be let off first while you are there as you will have to get back for the dog before the noise starts.

Bonkers amounts to spend on fireworks though 😲

Oh thank god I'm not alone with this. I feel really awkward about it!

… not to mention some heinous examples of animal cruelty.

www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/horse-died-after-breaking-back-in-fireworks-fright-now-widnes-woman-wants-reform/

Hi, thanks for the offer of letting me join the firework contribution. I won’t be staying for the fireworks as I need to be home for my dog so I’m planning on taking a small gift box as a token.

'Thanks for the invite but we never go out on that night as I have to be home for the dog who can't cope with fireworks'.

Just be honest and say your little boy doesn't like the noise and the dog will be frightened so unfortunately you won't be going.

This^
and £40 contribution is a lot. Are they having a full scale fireworks display!!

How many households is she extracting that from? What if next years hosts want to go bigger and demand a £60 contribution!

Thank you for the invite but we have decided not to come as it would be cruel to go out and leave our dog who is terrified of fireworks. Hope you have a lovely evening.

I would do as others have suggested and send a fairly breezy message back saying you're sorry but you won't be able to join that night because you're busy during the early evening and need to be home for your dog when the fireworks are going off. Don't mention making a contribution.

This

Out of interest how many neighbours are going - from your earlier post I'm imagining 4 or 5 couples at the original BBQs so that's perhaps £200 of fireworks ?

My DH did fireworks in the garden for the 1st time for our kids in 2020 as everything else was pretty much shut then!
He spent about £50 at the supermarket and we had at least 20 mins of fireworks for that. Sounds like they're planning over an hour of fireworks! Your poor dog

I would still go for the meet up but then head back before the fireworks, citing the dog. Tell the host your plans and then just say to the other neighbour that you aren't staying for the fireworks due to dog/son.

Just say you weren’t planning on staying for the fireworks because you need to be home for the dog. You can still go for food and drinks but make sure excuses before it gets underway

Definitely don’t pay if you’re not going to stay for the fireworks.
@BaffledShopper Thst horse owner had left the horse out in the paddock on bonfire night, having only got her the day before.
neither my cat or dog are remotely bothered by fireworks.
I absolutely love fireworks and I don’t see why they should be banned just because someone has a nervous animal.

This. ^^
Maybe you should suggest you could all go to a public display instead of pissing off all your neighbours and frightening their pets/kids etc