Not sure what to make of this

[pinenuts75]

My friend is having a fireworks party at her house , she will be making some food as well, she has asked people to contribute £15, is this reasonable?

Oh, gosh. No.

I would find this odd and would decline to attend

I would pass. I am done with these forking outs.

Not unless it's lobster and caviar (or charity)

It’s reasonable for her to ask towards costs. It’s also reasonable for people to say no thank you.

I’ve paid it now, I mean she does do a good party but I just feel it’s wrong expecting people to pay, and I know fireworks aren’t cheap, plus I will have to get a taxi there and back.

15 for a family or each?

I wouldn’t personally charge but actually with the cost of living this wouldn’t bother me.

Hosting is expensive, but it’s nice to spend informal relaxed time with family and friends and she’s offering her house for it.

Maybe bring a plate/bottle would have been better.

Nope. I don't agree with fireworks anyway, especially now that they're so extremely noisy, they're a nuisance. I wouldn't pay to watch my money go up in smoke with a loud bang. If you can't afford to pay for a party, don't have one.

Each.

Fireworks and entertaining are expensive, I don’t think it’s unreasonable but maybe your friend should have made it clear from the onset that she would host but be asking attendees to contribute.

I think this is ok. Fireworks are expensive so I think that makes this different from a normal occasion.

I think it depends how it came about.

Friend group - what’s everyone doing for bonfire night this year, friend - I don’t mind hosting if everyone is happy to chip in for fireworks. This feels fine.

Hi friend - we’re having a bonfire party, please join us, ok great thanks we will. A few days later, we’re asking everyone for £15 each for the fireworks, erm ok. This doesn’t feel so normal.

If yiu invite someone you usually expect to.foot the bill. I do, however, ferl it would be better if there was a list where everyone chose their food contribution to provide. Alcohol should be taken.if desired

I think a contribution to fireworks if she gets a lot is acceptible. They’re not cheap.

I think £15 per person is a lot personally? Hosting is expensive so in our friend and family groups we usually would split it up so everyone brings a contribution. Somehow it seems much better to say "Sophie, can you bring some crisps and nibbles.......Kate, can you bring cheese and crackers etc" than asking everyone to hand over money.

I would think it’s more towards the fireworks than food though.

£15 pp?

so £60 a family of 4?

That seems very excessive and I’d decline the invitation.

£15-25 per family would be fine for me.

Sharing the cost sounds fair ... fireworks cost a bomb!

I wont make this a thing about nationality but in Ireland where I am you either host a party and pay everything yourself or expect people will bring a bottle or some snacks but asking for money towards a party you choose to host is just not a thing so on that alone I would feel slighted and not go on principal. That said I absolutely hate fireworks so avoid them at all costs anyway but I honestly would not attend a party I had to pay towards. Sure that money for a family of 4 say would pay for a meal out somewhere instead.

Ridiculous on every level.

I wouldn't go to a fireworks party on principle because of the distress fireworks cause to wildlife and to domestic pets. And the upset they cause to people in the neighbourhood who just don't want the noise.

It's a disgrace fireworks sales haven't been banned in general. They are in some localised areas because of the anti social use of them .

So if this person is selfish enough to think a fireworks party is ok in the first place it doesn't surprise me she wants to charge people for going.

Me too actually. A friend of mine did this for a few years (i think we all chipped in 20 per family and also brought sparklers etc) and we were grateful to her for hosting.

I wouldn’t pay £15 for an organised display, let alone in someone else’s backyard.

How many has she invited? Was the request for money laid out at the time of invitation or did it come later. Are you expected to take a bottle too?

Yes - that is a lot to pay and a bit cheeky of your friend. If it was me I would ask people to bring a dish or bring some fireworks if I needed contributions.

I agree with this