Baby’s 1st birthday party bring contribute to food

[JuniorTiger]

Is this normal? Both parents are in their 30’s, have plenty of time and are financially stable, having a smallish birthday (about 15 people) party for child’s first birthday. They have asked guests to contribute by bringing food for the party. I.e someone does sandwiches, someone brings cakes etc.
I find this bizarre, the mum is at home looking after the baby and has a close support network so probably could put a few sandwiches together. Also, the baby’s birthday party is on a weekday at tea time, most guests work and then are expected to prepare food.
is it a cultural thing? I wouldn’t dream of doing this, it sounds really cheeky IMO

Instead of a gift? Brilliant idea

Gift as well? Pushing their luck

gift expected as well

Never heard of that in my life, very unusual I would say.

Maybe they are crap at preparing food for 15 people. It is a bit cheeky to ask other people to do it though.

Is it not just a being a plate sort of thing? We’re having a bbq for my daughters birthday and everyone will bring a plate. That’s how we’ve always done it in my family.

And not usual.

That seems a little odd tbh! Are you in the UK or are they from a different culture where this might be common practice?

Yes me too. I think it’s irked me more as they haven’t even asked me directly, it has been asked through a different member of the family

I went to a few like this, thought it was lovely idea to be honest.

We are in the UK, the mum’s part of the family are religious and I think they may do this kind of thing for church occasions possibly?

offer to bring crisps ! sorted.

I think more people should do this! We did summer parties when ours were little, just as get togethers, those with the biggest houses/gardens hosted and the cost should fall to one person. A couple of quid each made a decent picnic! Definitely the way forward. You’d normally take the host a gift for dinner, and booze for a party - so I don’t see anything different.

But surely you would have the decency to ask / discuss it directly with your guests and not just expect the message to get passed on?

It's nice to bring stuff and share, although I'd ask people directly. Hosting is still a fair bit of work even if people bring stuff.

No, not normal. Don't go. Honestly first birthday parties are a pointless waste of time anyway

Very tacky imho

Don't go. I wouldn't!!

Bringing a dish to a BBQ or picnic is totally different from bringing a dish to an actual event, which should be catered IMO. Fair enough to ask family and close friends to help out (my MIL sometimes bakes cakes for my kids parties and I've helped my sister prepare a load of sandwiches for one if her parties) but you don't ask others to provide the food. Bizarre.

How do they even know who would bring what? They could end up with everyone bringing breadsticks and dips which is all I'd take

Yes it is a fair bit involved in hosting, but they’ve asked to have the party in another members house as it’s more spacious so not sure how much hosting they’ll be doing.

They’ve delegated who brings what

I put on some crisps, fruit, champagne and cake, and asked family to bring a dish for my DS' 1st birthday, not friends. They all offered. We didn't request gifts but most people brought one, which is normal surely for a birthday party. A kids book only costs like £5-8.

I don't think it's weird at all. Having a child takes up a lot of time! I totally understand not wanting to spend 2 hours buttering bread for sandwiches when you have a small child to mind and other party prep (decorations, games) to do.

That's weird, never heard of this
Have they nominated one of the guests to be the entertainer as well?

I'd bring what they request but that would be my gift. I wouldn't be catering their party (that they aren't even holding in their own house) and buying a separate present.

It's common in some families/cultures. My baby shower was a pot luck, the American way