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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:
nulliusxinxverbax · 15/04/2011 21:30

Haribo, Im not some kind of gypsy

Hilarious ha ha

Georgimama · 15/04/2011 21:30

Christ, you have to be pretty bloody bored to post on a board called ContractorUK, let alone organise a board raid from said board to Mumsnet.

FlamingJamie · 15/04/2011 21:31

HE'S A TROLL, foll de roll. And he'll eat you for his SUPPER

Hulababy · 15/04/2011 21:31

Well found merryleggs!

Oh dear OP Hmm

greenlotus · 15/04/2011 21:32

Is it the first proper party? OP's DW has definitely gone OTT unless you live in Kensington or somewhere like that. Hall is OK, 2 hrs is usual time, either bouncy castle OR entertainer would normally be OK, catered food is quite a bit on top of that (but am Envy as I have DS's party next week). Plus cake, party bags and new "birthday child's mum" outfit Wink.

Don't worry the whole experience will be so traumatising that the next five years of parties will be four best friends and some popcorn. I think you just have to be there for her, she will work it out herself in the end.

Is she a frustrated former-executive stay-at-home-mum who is desperate for any meaningful project to get her teeth into and has gone too far? (I remember having leanings that way too while on mat leave Blush)

Vallhala · 15/04/2011 21:32

howdoyoueatyours, yes you can because the OP is.

Amusing though, in a "we've heard it all before dearie" kind of way.

BTW CUK, I find it amusing that we can say "cunt" on here but you can't say it on your forum.

Original poster
CUKAmbassador · 15/04/2011 21:33

Right. Regardless of the fact the thread started on CUK and I was told to piss off and post it on Mumsnet (Nice spot BTW Merrylegs)

I think it's excessive. Surely £400 for a kids party is too much.

Either a bouncy castle or a childrens entertainer. Right?

OP posts:
Changing2011 · 15/04/2011 21:33

Well I dont beleive in childcare and farm my little darlings out to magicians at a bargain price of £400 an hour - they throw in boden overalls and crack for kids haribo vol-au-vents its really quite reasonable and I can work ninety hours a week which keeps us in Ocado deliveries.

Ormirian · 15/04/2011 21:33

Yanbu. It is a load of mc toss

FlamingJamie · 15/04/2011 21:34

greenlotus. He lives in Sunflower Valley with his girlfriend Wendy.

FlamingJamie · 15/04/2011 21:35

X post - right. I plump for the entertainer. Mr Marvel is good

nulliusxinxverbax · 15/04/2011 21:36

We shall not answer with our wisdom now you have betrayed us with your Troll-ness.

Shame on you :(

greenlotus · 15/04/2011 21:36

x posted with about the last 20!

It's OK I work in the building industry I have no fear of contractors

emmy12 · 15/04/2011 21:37

Haven't read whole thread but yes at 5 somehow you are kind of looking at inviting the class, so your own home won't do. To entertain that number of kids needs at least 4 or 5 adults I would say and someone quite good at reigning them in. Did you offer to organise the games? Personally I find the games bit horrifying. The food I could have managed. Unless you offered to take charge, I don't think she is unreasonable - apart from the food bit. Anyone can make sandwiches and jelly.

ChaoticAngelofchocolateeggs · 15/04/2011 21:39

The wife?!?!?! Is she your partner or your possession? Hmm

Wrt you don't need the hall for 4 hours, 2 will do so you can half that cost. A bouncy castle and some party games will do so you can cut the entertainer too. As for the food, tell your wife that you'll do that pizza, sandwiches, sausage rolls etc will be considerably cheaper than the caterers.

Merryleggs · 15/04/2011 21:39

YY it is too much. And too long. Obviously. It will be an unmitigated disaster and a complete waste of money. blah blah blah

Now.

Tell us why you are really here....

greenlotus · 15/04/2011 21:40

In fact the over inflated price and specification should have alerted us to the OP's line of work in the first place

harecare · 15/04/2011 21:40

A 4 hour party for 5 year olds? Never mind the cost, you want 2 hours tops.

Original poster
CUKAmbassador · 15/04/2011 21:44

Again. We have the hall for four hours. Two hours for the party.

It gives us time to set up the bouncy castle and for the magician to set up and hide the ponies.

I think I might ditch the caterers though. As someone pointed out, sandwiches from the supermarket aren't that bad these days. I think we'll use Marks and Spencers though just to be on the safe side.

OP posts:
harecare · 15/04/2011 21:44

By the way £100 for an entertainer is very reasonable when you think how much work they have to do to produce a show for an hour and can't do another job that day or at least half day.

Changing2011 · 15/04/2011 21:45

"safe side" - its sandwiches and crisps - what can possibly go wrong? What do you eat at your house normally???

harecare · 15/04/2011 21:47

So you have an hour long magician show, a bit of a bounce and then eat. Why do you need the extra entertainer?

Newgolddream · 15/04/2011 21:47

Yes that amount for caterers is mad OP. Just put out some sugary crap food children will be interested in and bobs your Uncle.

harecare · 15/04/2011 21:47

ponies????

nulliusxinxverbax · 15/04/2011 21:48

You complain about middle class toss then insist childrens sandwhiches are from saintly M&S????

Narrowing my eyes suspiciously at you......