Is this tight?

[Ivygarden]

Having a barbecue for DDs 1st birthday this weekend. Gone all-out on food (chicken, sausages, ribs, burgers, salads, potatoes...i.e. not just burger in a bun type-thing) and made puddings etc. Invited about 20 friends with their children. As it’s DDs birthday, I would suspect everyone will bring her a present so would I be unreasonable to ask people to ‘bring a bottle’? Opinions please.

I would provide some squash and juices and ask everyone to bring a bottle. Have fun :)

Not at all!
Hope the sun shines and you have a lovely day

With close friends or family I think this is absolutely fine. Anyone you know less well I think it's a bit rude.

No, this is fine. I expect most people would bring one whether you ask them to or not.

Yes, it’s close friends and family only. Thanks everyone

That’s fine. Have a couple of bottles just in case.

Just say soft drinks will be provided and get some cans of soft drink in.

Neither my husband or I drink so when we bbq this is what we say. People never object (partly because if we bought wine or beer god knows how dreadful our selection would be!)

I agree with waiting - close friends and family yes I'd ask. But I would also have some in for others (couple of bottles of wine/lager)

Most people would anyway.

That’s a good point LoveInTokyo- i’d actually rather not mention it and hope people would bring along something to drink. Will obviously buy drinks for the kids.

I think it's fine. I usually find that people ask if they should bring anything anyway and then you can always say something like "we've got most of the stuff but if you want anything specific to drink maybe bring a bottle"

People usually turn up to ours with cider/ beer/ spirits etc. So we mostly buy soft drinks and a few bottles but not loads.

I'd get in a few bottles of wine and some "stubby" beers - the 4% French lagers they have in Lidl or Tesco. They cost less than a fiver for 10 and are really nice. Mind you everyone I know would do this, and we'd all bring our own too without asking.

Are you asking them to bring a bottle instead of a birthday present for your daughter? or are you just sending a quick message saying you're not providing drink but people can bring their own? The second one I wouldn't blink at the first one I would.

I would never turn up to a BBQ empty-handed, so I think it will be fine, but I would not hesitate to ask family and friends to byob

I tend to say to people, I’ve got x,y and z to drink if there’s anything else you fancy feel free to bring it along.

Ok, of course I’ll get some wine and beers in, but just didn’t know how much. I’m just not convinced that as it’s a party, I think people will turn up with a present and not a bottle. In every couple, one person will likely to be driving so how much do you think I should get for say 10 drinking adults?

For 10 adults drinking, in my family that would mean about 6 bottles of wine (3 of each) and a slab of 20 lagers plus some G&T stuff

I'd provide some soft drinks and a small amount of wine and beer. I'd also be prepared to nip out an get top ups if needed.

Thanks DragonMamma, that’s about what I was thinking so I’ll go with that

Why not say you will do Pimms for everyone and if they want something different to bring with them.

Pimms is a good idea! Goes a long way! Thanks vbd!

We don't drink so when we go to things like this, we take a nice selection of soft drinks which we then hide from the kids

Save money by getting Lidl or Aldi's own Pimm's.
I make mine with ginger ale, lemonade and lots of fruit. For a non-alcoholic version, use apple juice instead of Pimm's and let it sit with the fruit for an hour before serving. Just don't mix them up as teen DD claimed did.
Add ice last, or it just melts.
:)

I’d suggest they bring a bottle or “bring a tipple” as I’ve seen it nicely put. I’d want to bring a bottle but as it’s a child’s birthday I’d be worried whether I’d be the only turning up with one.
Id have some spare drinks in case you run out or people don’t bring much and then you can drink it over time so it’s not wasted money. Unless you don’t drink then no one would expect you to provide it.

Ginger ale! That sounds amazing!