To not know which to do?

[catgirl1976]

Its my DMs 70th birthday next weekend

I am paying for a party in a naice hotel for 50 guests with food plus cake, balloons etc and I'm pretty much up to over my budget

I haven't done anything about drinks and I'm a bit eeek about spending anymore money. I cannot afford wine for the tables but am considering some other options

I am feeding people but would you expect at a birthday party

a) a drink on arrival
b) drink for toast
c) both
d) nothing - there is food and tea and coffee and you'd be happy to pay for your own booze

I don't want to make a terrible faux pas but I really have spent a fortune already

Would you judge if there was no booze and if I went for one option (and skinted myself) for drink what would be the most hospitable?

You won't win either way. For a lunchtime do, tea or coffee would suit fine. Perhaps a few jugs of tap water? As long as they have access to a bar if they really can't survive without a drink or soda.

You're providing food, they can buy their own drinks 😊 dont skint yourself!

I think you’ve done more than enough by hosting and paying for the food for 50 people for your mother’s birthday! Tbh I would only expect food and drink to be paid for at a wedding. Perhaps make it clear on the invites that it’s food only so people anticipate having to pay for their own drinks? I guess if you think about it, most celebrations for birthdays etc if it’s at a restaurant most people would expect to pay for their own food/drink so the fact that you are paying for food I think is more than enough