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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to not provide loads of alcohol at a party?

113 replies

Scruffles · 02/09/2016 23:04

We're having a christening party at home, there's going to be about 35 adults plus children. I have no idea how much alcohol to provide! When I was talking to a couple of friends about it they said that people will bring a bottle of whatever they drink so don't worry about it but I'm not sure. It doesn't feel right to assume people will bring a bottle and not provide much but I'm putting on a big buffet so don't want to spend loads of money on alcohol that won't get drunk.

Do people normally bring a bottle for something like this? Beginning to wish I'd just gone for somewhere with a bar now!

OP posts:

PinkPomeranian · 03/09/2016 21:43

Hedda, yes really! Unless asked to bring my own I assume the hosts have chosen their own wine to serve. I wouldn't expect people to bring their own booze to a party I was hosting either. I'd rather they didn't because it avoids the awkwardness of having to serve something brought by your guests rather than something you've specifically chosen. In our circle this is very much the norm.

That's not to say I attend a party empty handed though. For a dinner party I'd always bring flowers and/or a thoughtful gift along the lines of a candle or a bottle of fizz for the host, plus a box of nice chocs or biscuits which the host could choose to serve or keep for themselves. For a BBQ I'd always offer to bring a meat dish and a side or a dessert. For a birthday party, housewarming, engagement party, wedding, christening etc I'd bring a gift. I'm not much of a drinker though so maybe that's why a bottle isn't something I'd immediately think to bring.

Things were different when we were students and recent graduates and couldn't afford to pay for everyone to get pissed, but at this stage I do think people generally expect to cover their guests' alcohol at parties.

ComputerUserNotTrained · 04/09/2016 11:31

Pink I'm a professional (allegedly) in my 40s, as are my friends (except those already in their 50s). I wouldn't ever turn up at a house party empty handed, and nor would they.

A christening might be different though op - it's just occurred to me that I've never been to one! We're a bunch of heathens, clearly

ljfarminer · 04/09/2016 14:10

After my first daughter's christening we hired a hotel function room and had a meal. I only provided prosecco/juice, but people could buy drinks from the bar if they wanted anything else (some did, some didn't).
After my second daughter's christening we hired the church hall instead and provided a buffet ourselves with tea/coffee/soft drinks. Nobody minded about the lack of alcohol and if I was doing it at home I would do the same :-)

BennyTheBall · 04/09/2016 14:16

I would provide at least 20 bottles of fizz for the first few drinks as well as wines/beers etc. A christening is not the sort of event where people bring a bottle.

I am totally paranoid about under catering.

theelectricmichaelangelo · 04/09/2016 15:33

Its not a party though is it - its a Christening which is different. And in the afternoon so i assume its a family affair with children aswell?

I'd always without fail bring alcohol /wine to a party whether told to or not but a Christening - no way. I wouldn't expect it.

This is a celebration about a child. It feels a bit tasteless to me to get pissed at a Christening. If you want to appease those who need to have a drink in the afternoon then I'd do some Pimms and lemonade and a few cold beers and leave it at that. If people want to get drunk after it they have the choice to disappear off to the pub.

Don't get me wrong - I love a drink or 3 but it doesn't feel like an occasion for it- at least not on a big scale. Its a shame sometimes that our big drinking culture causes such confusion.

MsGemJay · 04/09/2016 17:14

We held my daughter's Cheistening in a bar (well a night club venue) the bar was open and had 100+ adults to share her day.

Lots of food and if people wanted to drink they had that option. Many had soft drinks or tea (it was July) but her dad and friends didn't.

I don't see why it matters. We celebrated her day and everyone enjoyed x

SouthWestmom · 04/09/2016 17:22

Mid afternoon?

2 til 5 I would expect sherry or prosecco and then tea, coffee, cake and sandwiches.

Anything later and I'd expect beer, wine and soft drinks to be available.

Tbh christening a tend to be afternoon tea with a bit of fizz ime

PrimalLass · 04/09/2016 17:41

Sherry?

stopfuckingshoutingatme · 04/09/2016 17:46

I would expect a glass of prosecco or something at a christening too

Maybe keep receipts ??

Hulababy · 04/09/2016 20:26

theelectricmichaelangelo - its perfectly possible to partake in a drink or two without getting drunk. There is nothing tasteless about enjoying a glass or two of wine, whilst toasting a new baby.

NeverNic · 05/09/2016 11:03

Also most christenings I have been to have included a short toast, so I would expect an alcoholic drink for that, if you were doing one.

SouthWestmom · 05/09/2016 11:30

*Primal
*
I love sherry! I spent a lot of time with the elderly congregation and developed a bit of a taste for it...

Hulababy · 06/09/2016 19:03

A chilled dry sherry is lovely. We keep a bottle of dry sherry in the fridge.

A sweet warm sherry far less pleasant!

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