Paying to attend a child's birthday party.

scotnan

raq wrote: »

Funny enough, my 12 year old is going to a party next week and the boy who is 13 is having a party and mentioned to my daughter he only wants "Hollister" items. My jaw fell to be honest with you.

What a wee chancer! Yeah in your dreams sonny :rotfl:

For his cheek, I'd be tempted to get him a plastic toy gun and when witnessing the disappointment on his face just say "isn't that what you asked for HOLSTER items"

CharlieRabbit01

I don't have children myself but I do have a much younger brother (6yo) and I cannot believe the kind of gifts and parties he and his friends have.

When I was that age my parents used to have a party in our lounge/garden decorate it themselves cheap party food from Kwik Save and old fashioned party games, I did one year have a magician but again that was hosted at our home.

My brothers latest party was at a soft play centre which my parents hired out with catered food and every child in his class was invited, half of which he didn't really talk to, and the gifts were so expensive.

Unsprisingly he was less than impressed with the 2 books I bought him compared to the scooter, video games etc etc he got from his class mates.

So I too would think it was a damn cheek to ask for money to attend a party.

My mum on the other hand thinks that is a good idea.

Janepig

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

DD's birthday is the last day of April and that's much better than poor DS - just coming spring to summer so she gets to have outdoor toys and stuff like that, just a much nicer time to have a birthday than flipping Boxing Day.

We bought DS a bike last year in the run up to the summer holidays because we thought it was pointless leaving it until his birthday poor thing when he wouldn't get the use out of it. At least it would have been a bit better if he'd waited for his actual due date at the end of January!

Jx

sassyblue

What a nerve! So basically they want you to pay for the party too?! :eek:

I'd be tempted to say 'sure we'll come but as I've got to take time off work you'll have to pay me £50 in lost wages'

Errata

It was only a matter of time before Bridezillas turned into Mumzillas:D

jackyann

My kids are now in their 30s, and I had never heard of this (until, as someone said, a group decision to do something for birthdays when they are old enough to sort it out themselves)
However, I recently bumped into a neighbour who moved some months ago. In the general "catch up" her 6 year old said that he had "25 friends to my birthday party" and I was surprised! Maybe this is how it was financed!

I observed over the years that many parents struggled to organise traditional parties, maybe this is how it ends up!

notanewuser

jackyann wrote: »

My kids are now in their 30s, and I had never heard of this (until, as someone said, a group decision to do something for birthdays when they are old enough to sort it out themselves)
However, I recently bumped into a neighbour who moved some months ago. In the general "catch up" her 6 year old said that he had "25 friends to my birthday party" and I was surprised! Maybe this is how it was financed!

I observed over the years that many parents struggled to organise traditional parties, maybe this is how it ends up!

I'm determined that DD's birthdays will major in jelly and blancmange for as long as possible.

Janepig

jackyann wrote: »

My kids are now in their 30s, and I had never heard of this (until, as someone said, a group decision to do something for birthdays when they are old enough to sort it out themselves)
However, I recently bumped into a neighbour who moved some months ago. In the general "catch up" her 6 year old said that he had "25 friends to my birthday party" and I was surprised! Maybe this is how it was financed!

I observed over the years that many parents struggled to organise traditional parties, maybe this is how it ends up!

Is this unusual then? Most of the parties DD/DS have been to, certainly in the "infants" years included all the children in the class (34 in DS's case), plus extra friends/family. As a rule they were either in a community centre/social club with bouncy castle or a children's entertainer or disco, with the sarnies, jelly, cakes, type catering done by the parents - or they were in soft play places where the venue catered. Most of the time they were joint parties where two or more children who had birthdays near each other would share and their parents would split the cost. Most of DD's and all DS's birthday parties have been shared events and I usually end up spending not much more than about £20-£30.

Last year he had a pool party with a friend, invited the whole class, we had the pool hire free as his friend's mother works there, and we provided hot dogs, crisps and cup drinks for the kids who all had a blast. Cheap as chips.

Jx

hayhay2010

I have never been asked to attend a party where I have had to pay to attend. Both my boys are 3 & 5.
my eldest (5) has a soft play party this year where I limited the number to 15. In his class when ever it is a child's birthday we normally all put in £5 each and ask the parent what big present the child wants, so we used the money we would of spent on a big present for him for the party & he still got what he wanted from his friends instead.
My youngest (3) on his actual birthday took him to the park after school run with some of the other mums and pre school age kids and brought them all an ice cream for him to give out. They loved it as hardly ever get treats at the park. Cost me a few pound for a pack of 6.
3 yo had his actual party on sat, borrowed the music, gasbo and even the cd player. Had a carnival themed party they loved it esp the tin can ally, Was great fun all the kids loved it. Lucky we just missed the downpour in the afternoon, If only I could control the weather I would have every party at home

bossymoo

I've had parties at soft play for DS a couple of times, and they are around £7 per child. I usually invite siblings if we know the family, but I wouldn't dream of charging them! That's the cost of a party! I would also be surprised at a gift worth more than about £5 - that seems to be the norm in our circle. I usually buy books as gifts, or craft sets.

Think its a bit rude tbh.