Would you find it acceptable to ask money to attend a party?

[Keytochebakia]

Everyone has a job, including the hosts, all adults in their twenties (25 to 28).
Hosts are requesting a £5 contribution per guest that would cover food, decoration, game (themed game party) etc...

It's only a small party in a flat, no hall, max 20ish people.

Would you accept the invitation and pay or would you find it cheeky?

Thank you

Depends if its a party being planned by host for there birthday or some celebration or if its a big get together (piss up) for no real reason party for host no I wouldn't pay just a get together piss up then yes I would pay.

Ask for contributions in kind (bring a bottle, bring a plate, anyone got balloons or bunting etc) but not money. Often people would ask what they can bring.

No but I was invited to a bbq once where the host asked everyone for 5 pounds towards the food.

I hold a lot of social things, and yes do charge my guests. Never make a pound profit and often at a loss to myself. All guests happy to pay, and no they don't organise anything and so are very happy with this arrangement!

No - but it’s not hard to cater very cheaply for a party, and everyone will bring drink.

Let us know your budget and whether you are doing snacks or a full meal,

No I find the entire idea of throwing a pay for it yourself idea bonkers. I’ll spend my money on things of my choice thanks

Students or very (very) early career guests, perhaps (eg in my early 20s there was a craze for those murder mystery cosplay nights.) Baby shower, yes but it’s the friend group/host organising for a special guest. Tell everyone it’s BYOB and/or being a dish.

I was going to suggest this. I am in a couple of friendship groups, none of whom are hard up, and we often have faith suppers where everyone brings a different dish for the buffet. It's not religious, it's just a term that is in common usage.

So just ask everyone to bring a bottle and a plate of food.

It’s quite fun to ask everyone to bring a dish/snack either to do with the theme or another theme. I’ve seen on socials parties where people bring food from a designated country or something that starts with the first letter of their name.

Also if needed ask to bring something they like to drink.

I would not go.

Ummm it depends on the circumstances.
Normally we would take stuff to a party, food, drink, flowers maybe. Are you asking for a £5 contribution on the assumption that people then won't bring anything?

We're going to a friends for NYE and they are going to order in caterers and we will contribute an amount per head for that. That's no different really.

No i wouldn't pay.

I do however remember it was the norm years ago to ask guests to bring a bottle or a plate of food.

No, I wouldn't attend.

'bring a bottle' -yes, absolutely, but no I wouldn't pay to attend someone's house. Either they want to throw a party for their friends or they don't.

A quick trip to the cash and carry for crisps, soft drinks, some beer, and a wine box or two won't cost them much.

I wouldn't mind paying £5 to a friend but it isn't the norm for my friend group.

We would typically say BYOB & provide crisps or snacks of some sort 🙂

In the past I've done a cold buffet for my b'day get together which I covered the cost of

You could have a BYOB party where you provide food, which you can absolutely do inexpensively, and your friends bring their drink of choice.

The "paying" aspect is what's rather distasteful. If the invitee's are good friends, there are lots of ways to have an affordable party.

OP you don't need to spend a lot if it isn't a dinner party. Making it a byob party will save a lot of money.

Are you thinking afternoon or evening party?

Your guests will bring more than £5 contribution on their own if you ask them to bring a bottle.

Most bottles of wine or packs of beer cost more than £5. If they add in snacks they could easily be contributing £10 to the party or more (eg DH and I would usually bring one bottle of cheap fizz, 6 beers and nuts, crisps, cheese, or a desert to a house party).

So you’ll get more if you don’t ask!

TBH it is usual in my circles to BYOB to parties even though we are retirement age. While none of our friends are skint people still bring drinks to parties.

If you've chosen to host and invite people, it's not right to ask them for money. Something more usual would be to ask if everyone can bring an item of food or whatever they want to drink.

I would. It’s only a fiver and it can expensive to put in a themed party.

My friends used to do wine tasting parties and everyone happily chipped in £15 to cover the cost of that.

I’ve been to a party like this once and it worked because the group had come up with the idea together- let’s get together for Christmas, we could go to a restaurant. Or how about someone’s house with catiering? Great we can all chip in. We can do it at my house if you like etc.

I don’t think it works Iif someone just decides to throw a party and charge everyone, but I wouldn’t be a dick about it.

I think like others have said, it depends on the circumstances -

Is it an event specific to you, ie your birthday - You pay

An event you've been planning as a group, and your place is the best - I don't see any harm in asking for a contribution

No, that would not be socially acceptable in my group of friends. Everyone has hosted at some point, so we've all contributed to get-togethers.

I would much rather pay £5 or more than have the stress of hosting

I think it’s fine especially in your 20s to have people bring things but cash towards decorations you choose, you own and no one else cares about is a bit much.