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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think this is a load of middle class toss?

203 replies

CUKAmbassador · 15/04/2011 21:05

Daughter is 5 next month. The wife(who doesn't work but think's that money is something that the cash point fairy just conjours up) has booked the local church hall.

4 hours at £15 per hour. OK. Sorted with that.

And hired a bouncy castle. £60. Fine with that

And booked a children entertainer and magician. £200 for two hours. WTF! £100 PER HOUR!!

And paid caterers to do the food £120!!!! WTF £120 for the a childrens * party!

£440 for a four hour childrens party!!! WTF!!!!

Is this excessive? She thinks that's what it should cost!

OP posts:
GypsyMoth · 15/04/2011 21:07

ah,she's joining in with the competitive school gates mums stuff!!

beware,there will be worse to come over the years

springlambkin · 15/04/2011 21:07

Sounds excessive to me but me oldest is only 2 so I don't know if that's 'normal'.

Actually, I don't care if that's normal - that's a ridiculous amount of money for entertainment.

YANBU

(you might get flamed for what you said about your wife though!)

caughtinanet · 15/04/2011 21:07

I think its way too much but your sexist comments will ensure that you're going to get a bashing.

The hall and bouncy castle costs aren't too bad but an entertainer and caterer are ott imo.

nancy75 · 15/04/2011 21:08

we had an entertainer last year - he was £270 for 2 hours! he was good if that make you feel any better?

JustAnother · 15/04/2011 21:08

it does seem a bit OTT for a 5 yr. old. I don't generally worry much about money and rarely spend more than £200 in birthday parties for DS, and that is including the party bags. Entertainers can definitely be cheaper than that if you shop around, and catering is a waste with that age group.

thaigreencurry · 15/04/2011 21:08

Yes its a load of middle class tosh but if you have an issue with your wife not working perhaps you should discuss it with her?

springlambkin · 15/04/2011 21:09

£270 you say nancy?

GypsyMoth · 15/04/2011 21:09

whyy would he get a bashing?? why? worse is said on here about dh/dp's....

Hulababy · 15/04/2011 21:09

That does seem very expensive.

A 4 hour party seems very excessive, esp at 5yo.

I would do an either or on the bouncy castle and entertainer, and would only have one type of entertainer full stop.

TBH the bouncy castle hire sounds very good value ime.

The entertainer seems dearer - is it two or one person who does both? Round here it is about £120-150 for up to two hours.

Catering cost - depends on how many children I guess. Seems a lot of money though. Getting them all a Maccy Ds would be cheaper Wink

Changing2011 · 15/04/2011 21:09

YADNBU and you have probably indulged your wife in the past (judging by your barbed comments and her head in clouds style party planning).

DuplicitousBitch · 15/04/2011 21:09

hopefully it actually cost £100 and she is spending the rest on hard drugs to help her cope with being married to a cunt

KaraToytown · 15/04/2011 21:10

Never mind the cost - a 4 hour birthday party? Are you fucking mad?

dexter73 · 15/04/2011 21:10

4 hours is far too long for a 5yr olds party - 1 1/2 hours max!! But yes it is too much!

nancy75 · 15/04/2011 21:10

springlambkin - I thought the same - however after the party I realised I couldn't have kept 35 5 year olds entertained for 2hours even if you paid me a million£!

ChairOfTheBored · 15/04/2011 21:10

YANBU on the party thing, it sounds bonkers to me.

(But man alive, if I ever saw my DH write about me like that... ouchy. OP is brave/daft/not terribly fond of his testicles)

worraliberty · 15/04/2011 21:10

I'm trying to find a sexist comment in the OP but so far...zilch? Confused

TeddyMcardle · 15/04/2011 21:10

DB I just snorted wine all over my keyboard Grin

pineappleupsidedownpudding · 15/04/2011 21:10

She's barking, can't you cater yourselves that is what we always do. and remember to add the cost of the party bags on top of that.Enjoy!!

beesimo · 15/04/2011 21:11

Honey it is none of your business what another Mam chooses to spend on her bairns. She is actually helping the economy by spending the money. She is going to provide employment for the entertainer and the caterers. If rich people never splashed their cash many small businesses would be totally banjaxed.

Changing2011 · 15/04/2011 21:11

DuplicitousBitch that was totally uncalled for!

BelleDameSansMerci · 15/04/2011 21:11

Kara my thoughts exactly...

And, I would think the OP would be more likely to be flamed for the stray apostrophe than the comments about his wife's attitude to money. Grin

needmyrootsdone · 15/04/2011 21:11

Totally ridiculous and no need for that expense.

2to3 · 15/04/2011 21:12

Church hall, fine. Bouncy castle - not essential, but OK. Magician etc. = nuts. I can't see why so many people think they need to pay someone else to entertain small children, when all they really want are a few rounds of musical statues, a hot dog, a piece of cake and a little party bag at the end. I did a party for 11 kids in our tiny house this year and yes it was madness for two hours but we all had fun and it's only once a year. It cost about £50 all in.

diddl · 15/04/2011 21:12

Sounds a lot to me, but at that age we were still doing parties at home for half a dozen children.

Perhaps if you don´t like it though, you can do next years?

Surely there´s only a problem if you can´t afford it or she has done something that you don´t both agree on.

But if you´ve left her to organise it, then them´s the breaks!

WillYouStewTheLambShankOh · 15/04/2011 21:12

My brilliant SIL enquired about a kids' entertainer and was quoted £160.

She said at that price she would expect a bit of cunnilingus at the end.

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