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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I'm fuming because fathers in charge of paintballing doubled the cost of our joint party?

68 replies

curiouscat · 19/02/2009 20:49

DS just turned 11 and had a joint paintballing party with a friend. Other mum and I didn't go as have 2 dd's each to look after. We organised paintballing party expecting it to cost £400 which we would split between our two families. A lot but they were going to have a fantastic boys day out, 3 dads went and 12 boys. When they got back, they had bought more ammunition while there as the boys used it all up quickly. Now the total cost of the party was £880.

How can they be so extravagant? They all had a really great time, and the men said if they hadn't got more ammo they'd have had to come home after a couple of hours instead of being gone 830am-5pm.

I just feel the hosting dads were showing off to eachother in wanting to appear generous.

OP posts:
nickschick · 19/02/2009 20:52

£440 each for a party??????

Jesus that was some party .......

OrmIrian · 19/02/2009 20:54

Bugger me! A party that cost that much without champagne?

How stupid.

myfunnynametaken · 19/02/2009 20:55

Are you saying that the father of the other birthday boy spent £880 instead of the £400 you agreed?

How was the payment made to the company?

Lilyloo · 19/02/2009 20:56

OMG seriously £880 for a party for 11 year olds.....

Penthesileia · 19/02/2009 20:56

Hmmm - that's a lot of money - nearly £60 a head! And YANBU to feel cross if you'd set a budget of £400. However, presumably both DHs felt that they could afford the additional cost, and if that is so, then YABU. Sounds like they had a good day. But, if you/they can't afford that, then YANBU, and I too would be fuming.

I just hope that the DHs splash out so much on their DDs when the time comes!

AnyFucker · 19/02/2009 20:56

pillocks

myfunnynametaken · 19/02/2009 20:56

Or are you saying that your sons father was also there, and together they spent £880 instead of £400

rolereversal · 19/02/2009 20:57

bloody buggery bollocks, I would have a fit!!!!!!!!!!

I wonder why they felt the need to stay there all day, surely a party is only a couple of hours long?

Is there anything you can make the dads sell to pay for it?? or just tell them they cant have a drink till they've made up the money lol

SoupDragon · 19/02/2009 20:57

Well, it was the other boy's dad and your son's dad so they are jointly to blame aren't they?

SoupDragon · 19/02/2009 20:58

meaning I would give him hell and leave the other one to his wife.

MumOfBaby · 19/02/2009 20:59

Good God that's ridiculous. I'd be fuming. Think what you could have done with that money- a holiday, a plasma telly, loads of things.

But then, you should have looked into it a little more, as they do need to buy more ammo when they get there. That's usually in the small print.

Still silly.

myfunnynametaken · 19/02/2009 21:00

if my dh came home and told me that our sons birthday party cost £880 I seriously think I'd have heart palpitations and require medical treatment.

dearprudence · 19/02/2009 21:01

What's wrong with a party lasting a couple of hours? That's the standard length for a children's party. If they wanted to extend the time they could have taken them all for lunch/tea somewhere.

fattiemumma · 19/02/2009 21:01

and this is why you never leave anything to a man

Original poster
curiouscat · 19/02/2009 21:03

The whole shebang cost £880, so £440 for us and £440 for the other family. We've split the cost so it's not really a problem of owing eachother anything.

Yes, the dads felt it was fine to spend so much. Yes, we can afford it but I wouldn't have wanted to spend so much, and am angry it wasn't discussed.

The men were sheepish about it and what makes me mad is the 'hey the men and boys had a good day' so never mind what sensible things the wives might have rather done with the money. I would NEVER spend that sort of amount on a kids party. I think it's naff and showing off.

OP posts:
onepieceofbrusselssprout · 19/02/2009 21:03

What did the other child's mother think of this extravagance?

dmo · 19/02/2009 21:04

OMG i would be in shock!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ashantai · 19/02/2009 21:04

Bloody Hell!

£880 quid!! for a kids party???? I say again, Bloody Hell

onepieceofbrusselssprout · 19/02/2009 21:05

Perhaps your dh/dp could think about his "spending money" over the next few weeks. If it was my dp I would be expecting that some treats were proferred to me and the dds who remained at home if he feels he can just spend £440 without discussion. It just seems so wasteful.

Original poster
curiouscat · 19/02/2009 21:05

The reason it took all day is it's a 45 minute drive away, and the £25 a head planned budget included burger or hot dog lunch and playing all day. They should have champagne and caviar at that price ...

Obviously that's where the paintballing co's make their money. Be warned!!!

OP posts:
myfunnynametaken · 19/02/2009 21:06

how about you cut back next year - one friend at the cinema and a pizza afterwards.

twinsetandpearls · 19/02/2009 21:07

I love a big party but I am shocked at the cost especially when you look at the cost per guest.

Mintyy · 19/02/2009 21:07

I think you hit the nail on the head there curiouscat. It is indeed utterly naff and very much falls within the showing off bracket. What a pair of tossers. No wonder they were sheepish.

mej3 · 19/02/2009 21:10

I wonder if they would have spent that amount on any other type of party that did not involve the 3 numpties running round like big kids!

nickschick · 19/02/2009 21:10

Curious Cat - is there a hint of 'showing off' in your o.p??

if you can afford it
if you have already paid it
if you didnt read all the info properly and if you didnt discuss what the final cost would be with your dp/dh then maybe you just wanted to tell us that you can afford a £440 party.....

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