Should I buy food at a friend's party?

TBagpuss

rachiibell wrote: »

I don't think it's necessarily a bad thing to ask guests to contribute to the cost of a party although it should be agreed in advance.

When I was a student I organised a Christmas party for 10 people, cooked a roast dinner and made some mulled cider and everyone paid £3 to help cover the costs. At that point in our lives no one could afford to host the whole thing but we still wanted to do something all together.

I think this is a valid point. We did the same at Christmas as students.

And i think even for older people it can be valid - the golf example is a good one, and I have been am member groups where one couple almost always hosted because they had a lager house/ garden or were otherwise in a better position to provide a venue. Agreeing in advance that everyone will contribute is a way to make sure that the parties can keep happening, as the hosts don't feel taken advantage of.

However, any party where I have been asked to contribute was on the basis that that was made 100% clear at the time the invitation was given.

To me, the worst thing here is that the 'host'invited people first, and only later said they planned to charge. That is just plain rude.

Ebenezer_Screwj

What a ridiculous and ill-mannered proposition having already invited you to a party! Is he charging for the drinks as well? If this were me attending, I would turn up with a packet of sandwiches and some cans solely for my own consumption and watch in quiet satisfaction as this pompous idiot's "signature dish" goes horribly wrong. Alternatively, I would turn up and after ten minutes leave, explaining that I couldn't afford his prices and was visiting the chip shop - on the way home.

forzaitalia

I've never heard of such a thing! What we tend to do if we have a large party is ask people to bring something food wise or drinks and then it's up to them. If they bring something that's great, but if they don't well there you go, although I have never had anyone bring NOTHING to the party! I usually get flowers, chocolates, drink or food. Maybe my friends are just nice?

RuthnJasper

Talent wrote: »

Whoa, hold on a minute, some of us have signature dishes and don't have to be Michelin starred chefs!

Mine is Alphabetti Spaghetti on toast that lets you spell out my name, luckily there is never an anchor, plenty of W's though.

Wahey! All round to Talent's tonight then!! If I give you £27 can I have a fried egg on mine...?;)

Ames

Maybe MSE Nick is the friend, trying to find out if he can charge before going ahead and losing all his friends.

pippinpuss

Love to come but I'm on a diet so won't be eating. See you at 7.

minicooper272

That is a bit cheeky.

In my experience, we always pay our own way if we meet friends for dinner, or go for a BBQ in the park, and I mostly expect to pay if we go to a friend's for takeaway. But if I invite friends for dinner, or a friend invites me for dinner, the host should be the one to pay for ingredients. In my poor student days, I suggested we host 'everyone bring a dish' dinner parties, which went down well, and that was a good way to spread out the cost when we were hard-up. Now we would usually bring a bottle of something.

To be cheeky in return, I'd argue that you can pay for a takeaway with that £7, or eat in a very cheap restaurant / pub, and have free choice over what food you get. If he wishes to charge you, I'd put in a request for your preferred main - maybe a lasagne, or a sirloin steak? That or just say your not going, and explain why!

ceh209

My OH and his friends do this when they have a poker night.


BUT...


- They all know about it when its arranged
- It's about £4-5, for at least 2 courses
- It's the same group of mates on a regular basis, but they don't all have a large enough home to host, so it would be unfair if they didn't as it would never even itself out


£7 for one dish, not told in advance, for a one off party is just ridiculous.

onesixfive

£7 a head for party food !


I suggest everyone takes a little something to nibble on & say "brought my own!"


When he's left with his "Signature dish" to eat up himself - maybe he will get the hint!

BoJangles_2

I'd say it is difficult to judge whether £7 per head is too much to charge seeing that we don't know what the signature dish is and how many people are invited.