Help me write an whatsup message

[Pumpkinthedog]

My DD7 would like to invite about 7, 8 girls to the cinema, we are paying for it. It's not a party as such but I want people to understand that we are paying, without saying we are paying, if that makes sense? Also we won't be providing anything else (food or drinks) just the Cinema tickets.

English is not my first language so I'm not quite sure how to formulate it. I'm creating a whatsup group for the mums and send an invitation.

Can anyone help please? 😄

Hi! I'd like to invite your girls to the cinema on [day and date]. We're going to the 3pm showing of [whatever] at [cinema]. It's our treat, but do send the girls with pocket money if they'd like to buy any snacks.

Please drop off at the cinema by [time] and you can collect from [wherever] at [whatever time].
Do hope your daughters can join us.
Have a great half term

Wonderful, thank you! X

We;d like to treat dd and some friends to a cinema outing and would love it if your dd could come. Let me know if they'd be able to come on x date at x time. It would be great if they could bring some money for snacks/drinks if they would like to get some. Thanks!

Would they need to be dropped off/picked up by parents? Not sure how it will work so you'll probably need to put some more details in.

Thank you. That's great! Thats all i wanted. X

I'll add the drop off and pick up times and also I'll ask for another mum to stay with me to help with toilet breaks as I think an adult will need to stay with the girls in the cinema at all times. But I'll discuss that after I send the invite once we know who can make it.

You have got some great advice already, but I just wanted to highlight that phrase "our treat" or "my treat" - in English it's a really useful way of indicating that you are going to pay for something.

Thank you x

Also it’s WhatsApp not Whatsup although I think whatsup is a better name!

Ha! I was just thinking the same. We'd both reached for the same phrase.

Why don't you just grab a few big bags of popcorn to take with you and snacks.

As this could become problematic trying to balance everyone's money etc.

Some kids might not bring any and some may order but not have enough cash etc so you end up footing the shortfall.

Actually I was thinking about that, but do the cinemas allow your own food or shall I buy it in there? If I buy individual bags it's about £6 each, more than 50% the cost of the cinema ticket 😀

😆 oh gosh, sorry!

Yes, it's weird how saying, "Do you want to grab a coffee? I'll pay!" sounds really awkward, but saying, "Do you want to grab a coffee? My treat!" sounds absolutely fine!

Cinema food is so costly so yes, I'd be taking in my own. A multipack of crisps, few share bags of sweet and a multipack of drinks into a backpack.

I do always buy popcorn and drinks at the cinema but as one of my kids has a food allergy I bring sweets/crisps for them aswell. If anyone was to say anything I'd just be telling them of the allergy and how cross contamination is deadly for them.

It’s a myth that you can’t take your own food/drink into the cinema. I always take a pack of fruit shoots and a supermarket multipack of popcorn in with us. A fraction of the price once you are there.

I agree with bring your own! When we take DSs friends I normally use paper party bags (a great size!) and do fruit shoot/popcorn/mini bag of skittles/freddo/bears fruit snacks, all from a multipack. This way you can split it all up ahead of time rather than mess around inside!

Also OP, just a friendly reminder to check out any discounts you can get on the tickets ~ I often get 241 deals on money saving sites.

Even better if it's not a 'new' film you want to see, many cinemas do kids mornings and if you're flexible on timings these tickets can be about £2 each! (Normally weekend mornings)

Just thought I'd mention as you flagged cinema tickets at double £6 and I always cringe when I have to shell out full price!

That's a brilliant idea! x

I know this isn't what you asked but I'd invite fewer kids and feed them at the local McDonald's either before or after rather than invite 8 that you don't feed.

It is customary for a birthday outing to involve being fed and if funds don't allow feeding I'd invite fewer kids.

Thank you, I check out for discounts. Also I'll ask the cinema for a group discount, if they offer one.

It's going to be a new release so it's going to be pricey 😶. DH does take DD to older movies sometimes and pays £2.75 per ticket indeed. That's so good.

Can you make little 'party' bag style snack bags? Some crisps / popcorn, a drink, some party rings or something and some fruit if you want health? Cheaper way to do it than buying in the cinema

It's not a birthday though...just a half term treat 🤷‍♀️

Indeed, it's not a party. DD had her b-day party 2 weeks ago already, hence trying to keep it low key and cheaper.

Absolutely, will think about that. Maybe not sweets but definitely popcorn and a drink x

Like I said earlier it's not a b-day party plus we are inviting 8 but not sure how many can make it. So if only 4 can make it, then I'll think about buying more food x