Birthday party donation

Snow_white

My family and I were invited to a birthday party and are now being asked to pay a 'voluntary contribution' towards the party. We haven't been given an amount yet and the party is for a close family member so it would be very awkward if we didn't contribute/contribute enough. Just wondering what people's thoughts are as never experienced this before. Thanks

kazwookie

Take a botle of wine or some beer or a cake, as a 'voluntary contribution' it IMO not have to be money.

Alter_ego

Never experienced it either,

gardner1

Snow_white wrote: »

My family and I were invited to a birthday party and are now being asked to pay a 'voluntary contribution' towards the party. We haven't been given an amount yet and the party is for a close family member so it would be very awkward if we didn't contribute/contribute enough. Just wondering what people's thoughts are as never experienced this before. Thanks

Cheeky ba5tard5

thriftylass

I'd understand it if lets say the children/grandchildren etc organise a party for extended family to celebrate one of their parents 90th or sth with sth special and have to hire a church hall to accommodate all etc. Otherwise, weird. Don't have a party you can't afford it, make it smaller. What kind of party is it (age, what will be held).

Snow_white

It's for a 50th Birthday which they invited us to

thriftylass

No-one in my family would charge for that. Not really special enough. What have they planned? Surely the church hall or similar plus a homemade buffet can't cost that much. Or is it in their house, a restaurant?

We took immediate family for dinner for my husbands 40th but wouldn't have dreamt of charging them.

Especially asking for money is weird. Fair enough bring a some beers, a bottle of wine or a desert or nibble.

LilElvis

Never, ever been invited to a special birthday/ anniversary party where the guests are expected to pay. It would be somwehat acceptable if you had been asked at the planning stage but not when the invitations have gone out.

hazyjo

I could understand it with say brothers and sisters organising a surprise party for their parent/s and one held it and asked the rest of the family for contributions. If the person having the party knows about it, or their other half has organised it, asking for money is just a tad weird!


I too would say you'll provide some drink or food rather than cash. Bit cheeky to ask you to pay for a party. Are you expected to take a present too? They'd have been better off selling tickets for it like we used to do when we had random parties as teenagers!

spirit

Is it for a meal out, or a party in a home location or similar?

Red-Squirrel_2

gardner1 wrote: »

Cheeky ba5tard5

What they said!

If you need help to fund a party, the time to ask other family members if they want to contribute is before you plan it not after you've invited them!