Paying to attend a child's birthday party.

cootuk

tbh it's expensive enough just buying small presents to give let alone paying an entrance fee.
If DD wants an expensive party activity then we limit the number of friends she can invite so the cost is capped, but no way would we have the gall to charge for attendance.

neverdespairgirl

Never heard of it - for birthday parties, weddings, or funerals!

When DS was a toddler, we didn't go for expensive venues, just a pile of sandwiches / biscuits / jelly / ice-cream, and birthday cake.

The last couple of years (he's now 8) we've had a swimming party, which is the use of the swimming pool for 2.5 hours, then a room near by for tea, which we've provided. THe cost of the pool hire was £45 for up to 20 children for 2.5 hours, room included in the price.

DUKE

I'd just tell them that I ain't going because of the price. The sooner people speak out the sooner this payment to party :eek: process will stop. I would imagine that most people would feel the same as you do, but are afraid to speak out.

jellyhead

I've got a 17 year old, and as susanc says, teens sometimes arrange a get together in an eatery/cinema etc. where they pay for themselves, however they don't tend to bring presents, or even cards.

I was going to pay for my son's 16th meal but he said it would be 'weird' so I paid for the drinks and the teens paid the set price for food.

A toddler party, where the parent invites guests and they bring a card and present, is totally different. It's also unnecessary - if you can't afford it you can just have a cake at home, and perhaps invite a few relatives or your friend's children. They don't need a proper party.

pollypenny

I've never heard of paying for a party, either. Blooming cheek!

And the only time I've heard of paying to go to wedding is on here, when someone asked our opinions on it!

LondonDiva

Janepig wrote: »

he never gets to go anywhere near his birthday though, being an awkward Boxing Day boy!!
Jx

So's my nephew! My SIL used to hold something for him on his 'half birthday' around June / July so that he could get together with a few of his mates with a special treat or meal at home to mark the occasion.

neverdespairgirl

My OH is also a Boxing-Day-boy. So his birthday tends to get "lost" around CHristmas.

jellyhead

LondonDiva wrote: »

So's my nephew! My SIL used to hold something for him on his 'half birthday' around June / July so that he could get together with a few of his mates with a special treat or meal at home to mark the occasion.

Half birthday's a great idea :T

I don't like my boys struggling as the youngest in the class but it's great having a party, new toys and spending money at the start of the summer holidays

notanewuser

jellyhead wrote: »

Half birthday's a great idea :T

I don't like my boys struggling as the youngest in the class but it's great having a party, new toys and spending money at the start of the summer holidays

DH has a new year birthday, so he always gets a half birthday too (nobody acknowledged his birthday as a child).

DD is an autumn baby, so any birthday money she gets gets kept and spent on outdoor toys for the following summer.

FBaby

Never heard of it either. If my kids received such an invitation, it would a 'no thank you' just out of principle.