Cost of husband’s 40th party

[naavaaira]

Posting here for traffic.
I am organising a surprise party for my husband’s 40th. He is the kind who loves being centre of attention and would love the surprise! I have never ever organised a proper event like this so have no idea of average cost and your input would be appreciated. I’m looking to cater his favourite Turkish food, inflatable night club in the garden, alcohol, cake, nibbles, and other bits all coming to around £1200 for 16 adults and 8 kids. Does that sound average or a lot?

"I would happily stop if pp would stop throwing nasty comments my way."

Why is that a condition? Why can't you disengage yourself?

Well I do give presents. And we do do special things on birthdays and other occasions. But they aren't necessarily of much monetary value at all.. The presents and any special outings are related to our interests and things we enjoy.

And no i don't like parties. Believe it or not there are a lot of people who don't. You appear to have a very narrow view of what " fun" is.

It is utterly bizarre that people who have more disposable income are expected to just never talk about anything to do with expenditure for risk of causing offence.

Sounds fine OP, it’s basically the cost of a meal out per person.

Use Paper plates rather than plastic

Why don't you address that question to the pp, including yourself, who are persisting in sniping at me ?

That’s usually us too. Things we’re interested in. But for ‘big’ birthdays I’d push the boat out a little more, just to make them more memorable.

I wouldn’t say I was narrow-minded, just curious as to how others celebrate. I’m always looking for new ideas.

Fully catered with drink, and all the bits, sounds ok. My 40th coat about £1000 and I split with a freind and had a joint party and that didnt include drinks it was venue, cake, food, dj and decor.

At the risk of getting shot down in flames again I expect the assumption is that those who have a larger income and resources have the self confidence that usually accompanies wealth and money. And therefore don't need the validation of others to tell them they are doing the right thing.

To reiterate:
why can't you disengage?
you're stated your opinion and have been told it was unwanted.
you insist on pushing it.
why?
what are you getting out of it?

Oh, youre one of 'those' people that thinks adults shouldn't celebrate birthdays. Only found in Mumsnet land. Thankfully I dont come across any miserable arses like this in real life.

You’d love your neighbours to set up a full outdoor nightclub in their garden on the off chance you’d be offered a free drink??
Takes all sorts, I suppose.

Christ on an actual bike.

I've just been out for a meal, came home and caught up and you're still banging on?! 🤦‍♀️

Is your life really this bad?

Best. Response. Today. 👏👏👏

People who have wealth and money can still seek advice (not validation) from others. If that’s the believe here then naively you would assume someone with a higher disposable income would never do a price comparison for a product, or search for a discount code and so on.

Yes personally I could afford a £1k plus party too, or more tbh, more equally I wouldn’t pay more if you can get the same outcome for less based on others experience. Let’s remember this is for a one-off event, not an everyday life choice.

Some people's lives are this bad.

I get that so maybe I shouldn't have sounded so flippant about it, but even if it is, it's not the OP's fault.

The poor woman just wants a bit of advice on throwing a party.

She has stated she's an egalitarian and a socialist. 🍿

This thread is crazy over a birthday budget 😂
1200 on a birthday party is really not much in the scheme of things. I understand thinking an outlandish million that some celebs have spent might be crazy, but to them it isnt.
1200 with an inflatable nightclub in your garden is hardly flaunting your wealth. And in anycase 1200 is well within reach of the majority of the population if they save for it. OP might have been putting away money for this party for the last ten years. Or sold a family heirloom to pay for it.
Nothing about her post screams insanely rich and flaunting it.

Also, we had an inflatable nightclub for a work do once and it was brilliant. The put an inflatable pub next to the inflatable nightclub in a field and we had a great time and all stayed in caravans around the field. Amazing night. So all those looking up inflatable nightclubs, look for inflatable pubs too, you will be amazed!!

A kebab with your friends and family in your own garden is ostentatious?!!

That's a bargain and im a tight bastard.

You're embarrassing yourself

Please for the love of god, get a selection of beer. People will be drinking all night and will be trashed on spirits and wine. Beer is the kinder choice 🤣

The budget sounds brill. Have you got him a birthday present?

Remember booze keeps. We have a Christmas party every year and always over buy alcohol but assuming you aren't tee total (or you don't entertain at all) it will get used so it can't hurt to have it.

My neighbours recently had a big party - and a silent disco!

No it's not ostentatious.

However there are generally 2 themes on MN regarding birthday's:
The sad fact that some OP's don't get their birthday's recognised at all by those who are supposed to love them.
Or. The OP's who expect multiple holidays and gifts for their birthdays and who are outraged when they dont get what they think they are entitled to.
So I was making reference to the second attitude to birthday's, not to OP.

I'm sat at home recovering from an operation atm so yes it is.