When is it Okay to Ask Parents to Pay When Invited to a Birthday Party?

[natty bumppo 289]

Highly tacky. +1, Amby.

I can't imagine a parent making such a request. Either host and pay for the party 100% or just forget about it.

sounds good to me ....

[Amby 490]

inexpensive party tips/ideas

http://www.kidspartyfun.com/pages/inexpensive.html

http://ezinearticles.com/?Inexpensive-Kids-Birthday-Party-Locations&id=276582

http://www.suite101.com/content/inexpensive-childrens-birthday-parties-a216022

here's a question I found on a mommy type thing. lots of them have never heard of it and most say it's tack to ask someone to pay.

http://mammaloves.blogspot.com/2009/04/kids-birthday-parties-parents-i-want.html

[one...two...tree 2,762]

It's settled. We're having the party at my favorite sports bar. The first round is on me, but after that, any of the kids that want to get plastered will do it with their own allowance.

Edited December 29, 2010 by 8TBVBN

[SuperDuper! 230]

Unconventional thinking alert on.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Unconventional thinking alert on.

You're bringing down the mood, man. Lighten up or light one up and enjoy the scenery man.

[sachinky 464]

When I was young, the parents usually footed the bill. Those were usually parties at home with food, cake, pinatas, party favors, some kiddie games, etc. As we grew older, the crowd shrank from 15-20 to more like 4-5 good friends and we'd usually get pizza or go watch a film. The birthday boy/girl paid for the shebang, since it was their 'treat' but it was never extravagant.

[sachinky 464]

No worries, once they're in college the spell will break when they're invited to their first "meet me at a bar" birthday party where they're expected to buy the host a drink.

I ran into this situation, my freshman year. I was new in college (I think my second week there ) and didn't really know anyone and was glad when one of the girls on my floor invited me to her "birthday dinner." I even bought a present for her, a book, I think, from the college store. The night out at a pretty high-end restaurant ended up costing me over $60 when all I ate was a $5.95 appetizer (splitting the bill for $40 steaks and wines I didn't taste). I took the gift-wrapped book back home in my purse in righteous protest. Over the next four years, unless it was a dorm-room-wings-and-beer-pong-type-of-thing (which, to be honest, was every Friday night), I always politely declined invitations.

[Fandango 1,439]

If it's only $5, then the host should pay. If that is not affordable, do something else or have a smaller party. Otherwise all of the other parents will talk about you.

Exactly.

Seriously, Steven, before you think of doing something like this, have a smaller party at your home which doesn't req an entry fee, if the cost is a problem.

[Fandango 1,439]

My parents took me and my friends on a cruise once for my bday...they paid for everyone. It wasnt a week long one though

[Fandango 1,439]

Talk about this materialistic society and instead the birthday party should involve volunteering at a soup kitchen. But don't tell the kids ahead of time. Just say "surprise activities" somewhere on the invitation.

I had a friend in primary school whose parents took us all to the beach for my friends birthday. When we got there, we found out that they had signed all of us up to help clean up the beach. Yeah, at 9 years old, efff that bull. I walked home.

If that happened to me, I'd probably stay and do it but would be annoyed inside the whole time.

???

[Jenn! 918]

I have never been to a birthday dinner for a grownup where the "host" pays the bill. I always expect to pay either a % of the total bill or for my own meal + a % of the birthday girl or guy's meal. I've also never felt compelled to bring a gift. The gift is the dinner itself. But these sorts of dinners are usually just a verbal invite. If I were to receive a mailed invitation to a birthday dinner, I would not expect to pay.

As for a Vegas birthday weekend extravaganza - I've never been invited, so I'm not sure of the protocol.

[Ban Hammer 12,853]

It's settled. We're having the party at my favorite sports bar. The first round is on me, but after that, any of the kids that want to get plastered will do it with their own allowance.

you're taking these kids to a bar and buying them the first round?

[^_^ 5,021]

I ran into this situation, my freshman year. I was new in college (I think my second week there ) and didn't really know anyone and was glad when one of the girls on my floor invited me to her "birthday dinner." I even bought a present for her, a book, I think, from the college store. The night out at a pretty high-end restaurant ended up costing me over $60 when all I ate was a $5.95 appetizer (splitting the bill for $40 steaks and wines I didn't taste). I took the gift-wrapped book back home in my purse in righteous protest. Over the next four years, unless it was a dorm-room-wings-and-beer-pong-type-of-thing (which, to be honest, was every Friday night), I always politely declined invitations.

Ha, this is exactly why I also stopped going to 'dinner' with people in college. Sparkling water, are you shitting me? Tap water too good for ya? Fucktards!

[chri'stina 190]

???

I was being sarcastic towards Steven in the first post you quoted. I would never seriously suggest a surprise volunteer clean up party or similar for a kids birthday party. Yes it's nice to help, but kids shouldn't be almost tricked into it. lol.

[^_^ 5,021]

nm.

Edited December 29, 2010 by \