Advice - asking for contributions for a friends birthday

[BoredAdminGirl]

My very good friend is turning 60 in October and I wanted to plan something nice but low key for him.

He loves Indian food so have set up a private group on Facebook informing others of the plans and the date etc - a meal in an Indian restaurant with his friends.

I have invited a mutual friend (I don't know her extremely well but enough to stop in the street and have a quick chat etc) and she has invited more of his friends that I don't know.

I want to order a birthday cake for him which will cost £45.00.

WIBU to ask others to chip in for the cost? I feel a bit cheeky but at the same time don't want to NOT give them the option to chip in!

There's a big difference between asking them to chip in and asking if they'd like to chip in. Yabu to ask, yanbu to tell them you're getting a cake and say if they'd like to chip in to let you know.

I think it would be ok to pin a note to the top of the group, inviting them to chip in if they want to, but make it clear they don't have to.

Having said that, you might get some people offering you suggestions for a different cake, if they don't like the one you've chosen for them all to give.