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

I'd be more than happy to bring a plate. But being asked to bring a specific dish means that it would likely be cheap store bought food instead of homemade.

Well yes, exactly. If they’d even asked me nicely I would have complied no problem. But it was passed on from another relative that I have been assigned / responsible for contributing X food.

I’ll call in to the shops and buy stuff after work - I certainly won’t be going to any effort. The more I think about it the more cheeky I find it.

So cheeky.

You're either the host or you're not.

If you're not willing to do the prep work, don't put the event on.

They are hosting, they should cater.

I don't think I could get worked up about this tbh.

It’s called a potluck.

What have you been asked to contribute? If it's like crisps, sweets or sausage roll type things, I wouldn't be fazed.

If I was being asked to cook a meal, like a curry or something, I'd be a like ehhh no thanks

I'd be unable to attend. Let them sort out their own kids party. Very rude in my opinion.

I think it’s weird. If you decide to throw a party I think it’s up to you to assemble a buffet. Guests might bring nice ‘extras’ if they do please but asking everyone to bring the basics like sandwiches is just odd.

I think it’s completely normal for a relaxed event with family and friends. Go to as much or as little trouble as you want, OP.

I’ve only done this for events which don’t involve presents. My relatives in Australia seem to have parties/events with this way of organising quite regularly, even for Christmas. It’s good if everyone wants to have the party and so it means the person whose house it is doesn’t do all the work.

I agree with others that it’s odd to bring food and present. It should be one or other.

@berksandbeyond it's normal here. We always take a dish / contribution to baby showers / first birthdays. These are close friends - it's a pleasure, not an imposition, to be there, and catering everything is hard work and can be expensive.

I don't know why I find it so strange, if it was a BBQ I could see the point possibly. Something about it being a first birthday and expecting other people to bring food and gifts just doesn't sit right with me. I feel like if I'm doing a party for my child's birthday, in my house, then it's up to me to feed the people coming to celebrate with her and bring her gifts?

I think its odd. If you are hosting a general family get together because say you are the most central, have the best house to accommodate then everyone brings a plate, but if you are inviting people to celebrate your dc's birthday and asking them to cater, its rude and self indulgent.

Me too, often bring a plate. Just makes it so much easier (I wouldn't normally specify the actual food unless they offered/asked).