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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To decide I will not let my DD go to birthday party because invitation demands £5

221 replies

milliec · 22/09/2007 18:12

Message withdrawn

OP posts:
DottyDot · 23/09/2007 11:56

And at 2 years old?!!!! It really is outrageous. This year ds1 will be 6 and we're planning his first either party at home with school friends, or at a soft play somewhere. Have been putting money in a tin all year - going to open it in October!! But at 2, both ds's so far have had family birthday party with a couple of our friends who have children their age.

snig · 23/09/2007 12:00

i want you to go purely because i want to know what goes on at a £5 a head childrens party!

WendyWeber · 23/09/2007 12:07

Parents do normally stay at a 2-yr-old's party, don't they? Maybe the money is for smoked salmon and champagne for them.

(Not)

belgo · 23/09/2007 12:17

Hope the parents coming to my dd's second birthday party this afternoon aren't expecting smoked salmon and champagne! They'll get a bit of a shock if they expect that!

Ham sandwiches, cup cakes and ribena, and birthday cake. that's what they'll be getting

SSSandy2 · 23/09/2007 12:20

yeah but how much are you charging them belgo?

batters · 23/09/2007 12:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Troutpout · 23/09/2007 12:48

yanbu
blardy ell..an aibu thread that we all agree on!

Tommy · 23/09/2007 12:56

am speechless that
a)anyone can think they need to spend that much on a party for a 2 year old
b) anyone could be so cheeky as to ask and
c) that they didn't think people would talk about them if they did

I would politely decline this invite which would hopefully send the message that it unacceptable

belgo · 23/09/2007 12:57

sssandy2- I'm charging them nothing That's where I'm going wrong, obviously

belgo · 23/09/2007 12:58

yes this has to be the only AIBU thread where everyone is in agreement lol

TinyGang · 23/09/2007 13:00

YANBU

This is so cheeky it's almost admirable. I mean, trying to make a profit on your childs birthday party! Amazing!

Maybe it could start off a new trend. '£25 a ticket to our wedding' invitations perhaps?

TinyGang · 23/09/2007 13:01

Or maybe just start billing people as they leave. I know! Put the bill in the party bag!

belgo · 23/09/2007 13:02

lol tinygang.

zookeeper · 23/09/2007 13:02

I'd phone them up, say you'd be delighted to come but as you're a bit short on funds too would it be ok to just bring some cheap party nibbles with you instead.

If that's not OK run for the hills as they do sound odd.

FrannyandZooey · 23/09/2007 13:02

Oh do please go and tell us what it was like

we will stump up the fiver if necessary

bookwormtailmum · 23/09/2007 13:02

£25 being the basic ticket, paying more if you want to sit nearer the bridal table .

Summerdressesandlacyboots · 23/09/2007 13:03

you stll there millie?

How are you going to respond to them?

MaryAnnSingleton · 23/09/2007 13:03

YANBU - never,ever come across that before !!

zookeeper · 23/09/2007 13:07

have we all been missing a trick?

Slubberdegullion · 23/09/2007 13:14

Most odd, what a cheek, YANBU. Sad that people get so whipped up into the frenzy of expensive party throwing....and for a 2 year old.

This reminds me of when DH and I were worknig in Oz, one of the nurses invited us around for sunday lunch. At the end of it she asked us for 10 dollars each to cover the cost of the food. After gathering our jaws up off the floor we paid, for some time we were concerned it was an Australian tradition. Then we found out she was completely barking.

vacua · 23/09/2007 13:19

it just seems so rude doesn't it? I've had similar experiences with a couple who will invite their teenage daughter's friends to various events (theme park, concert, day out) and ask for a financial contribution before you even have time to offer. It really is off-putting and I almost always decline the invitation on principle. They are not poor, just incredibly tightfisted. Maybe I am just very English and uptight/squeamish about money but I couldn't bring myself to do that. I suppose if I was desperately poor and wanted to organise some sort of occasion it would be ok to ask people to bring a plate of food - most people automatically say 'can I bring anything?' if you invite them for drinks or a meal or whatever.

Sidge · 23/09/2007 13:33

I bet she's the sister of an ex-boyfriend of mine!!!

She used to invite people round for a dinner party or drinks, then as they were leaving ask them for a fiver towards the costs. Funnily enough she was loaded as well, probably because she sponged off all her mates...

And no, YANBU. I either wouldn't go, or I would go with a packet of biscuits as a contribution.

Majorca · 23/09/2007 13:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Peachy · 23/09/2007 13:40

Good lord above! how odd. really bizarre toa sk. We amnaged to cater a large Christening for £50.... surely one can amnage a small party for far less?

Peachy · 23/09/2007 13:42

(btw if I were asked to contribute a aplte i would do so with a full heart and make a real and genuine effort to ensure niceness of offering)