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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:
DuplicitousBitch · 15/04/2011 21:12

changing get with it. it is 9 o'clock on a friday - all bets are off.

teddy hope that wasn't your last glass

Georgimama · 15/04/2011 21:12

beesimo, it's his wife he's talking about. I think it is his business.

Judd · 15/04/2011 21:13

Aren't parties 2 hours tops? They are round here. I would have to have a hip flask for longer than a 2 hour party.
For a 5 year old, a hall with a bouncy castle and some food is definitely enough. Break into the bouncing every now and again with a pass the parcel, game of musical statues etc.

And do the food in the last 45 minutes and get the bouncy castle deflated whilst they are all eating. Then a few quiet games and then hometime.

Don't have a magician doing a slot ! They will get bored and be up and down to the toilet loads. Or trying to jump on the bouncy castle during his act.

Changing2011 · 15/04/2011 21:13

Ah, ok. Cunt.

coccyx · 15/04/2011 21:13

Catering????? open a bag of crisps and make some sarnies

Hulababy · 15/04/2011 21:13

Just trying to work out DD's party costs - she was 9y and had a climbing party a fortnight ago:

Climbing - £205 for 15 children, included 2 hours supervised instruction
Party bags - £25 for 18 children (inc 3 who couldn't come in the end)
Food - £40 for 15 children
Invitatons - £15 approx
Then cake, etc.

So, a bit under £300 for 15 children

We do only have one child though, so cost is more manageable as only have to do one a year.

LoveLeonardCohen · 15/04/2011 21:13

YANBU It is excessive.
In my view, personally, I think 2 hours is more than enough for a kids party. More than that they start getting overwrought, tears are shed.
As for the catering, you can go down the supermarket and but all the food; pizzas, veggies, hummus, party food etc, juices, water, cupcakes and the rest.
I would only have the entertainer for maybe 30 minutes, maybe attention spans will waver. And do some party games for the rest of the time. Besides the kids can play amongst themselves surely and don't need entertaining for the whole time.
I'm doing cheaper parties now while children are young, and do more expensive ones later when they are older.
I'm aware that I may sound mean and maybe it is the norm to spend a lot of money on parties but I am a great believer that kids will be happy with what they are given and play with their friends. I've had a couple of birthdays that have been picnics in the park with a bubble machine and food. My DS loved it, just ran around the whole time with his friends. Granted your DD is a little older but still....

Georgimama · 15/04/2011 21:13

Is she generally profligate OP? and have you ever bothered to raise this with her before?

Hulababy · 15/04/2011 21:15

Howver, just dawned on me that it is your wife ypu are talking about - if my DH ever posted anything like that about me on a public forum I'd be furious. Out of order and you could definitely have queried this better on here!

Needanewname · 15/04/2011 21:16

If you can afford it why not, if you can;t ridiculous! However my thing would be more about a four hour party - are you insane - they will go into meltdown after 2!!!

FlamingJamie · 15/04/2011 21:17

You don't need caterers and you don't need a bouncy castle and an entertainer.

I have done only ONE such party (others seem to do it every year) and the entertainer is the expensive thing, but well worth it if you've got one who manages the whole party.

You sound a leeetle patronising though.

FlamingJamie · 15/04/2011 21:17

yy 2 hours maximum

wannaBe · 15/04/2011 21:17

afaik op isn't a first time poster though.

And far worse is saiid about men on here.

Changing2011 · 15/04/2011 21:17

Hula baby - you obviously havent seen all the "My DP is a cunt" "my DP is a twat" "my DP is a total asshole" threads Hmm

needmyrootsdone · 15/04/2011 21:18

The parents (if they have to stay) will not be happy with a 4 hour party..that would ruin my weekend completely Grin

Hulababy · 15/04/2011 21:19

Changing2011 - I have been on MN for 8y so have seen many a thread thank you. Just because they occur doesn't mean that it is okay for the OP to write these comments either. Two wrongs don't make a right and all that Hmm

howdoyoueatyours · 15/04/2011 21:19

The wife???? Hahaha! Thinks money comes from the cashpoint fairy!!! I assume you think your kids childcare comes from the childcare fairy as you say your wife doesn't work.

Anyway if your that bothered get thee to a supermarket and buy some party food, wrap up some pass the parcels and get a bag of Haribo for party game prizes. And 4 hrs is way too long for a kids party - no-one will stay that long.

AnnoyingOrange · 15/04/2011 21:19

Jeez

I don't think I've ever spent over £150 for a kid's party

Changing2011 · 15/04/2011 21:20

I think OP has been quite nice compared to some vitriolic women I have seen on here. Ah well, another man bashing thread.

diddl · 15/04/2011 21:20

I also agree that if you don´t like it then cancel some things now, & next time get involved.

worraliberty · 15/04/2011 21:20

I think it's hilarious considering the abuse some women give their partners on here...but apparently that's ok because they've just 'come here to vent'

One rule for women and another for men...now that really is sexist Smile

FlamingJamie · 15/04/2011 21:20

OP - you could run the party, You have a good line in comedy

Flisspaps · 15/04/2011 21:21

What happened to four or five friends coming round the house for cake, sandwiches and musical chairs and pass the parcel, then being sent on their way with a party bag with more cake, a balloon and a pencil in?

FlamingJamie · 15/04/2011 21:22

Flisspaps - It still exists.

But musical chairs ... bad memories

Changing2011 · 15/04/2011 21:22

and HOW do people know this mother does all the childcare?