Paying to Attend a Birthday Party!
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Would you be upset if you were asked to pay a £42 fee for your kids to attend a birthday party?
One mum is fuming over this charge, raising questions about party etiquette and expectations. What do you think—fair or too much? 
Source: metro.co.uk/2024/08/04/mum-outraged-asked-pay-42-fee-kids-attend-birthday-party-21357414/
I wouldn't be upset because I wouldn't pay, I have lost count of the amount of party's we've had for our children, never charged a penny, some of the party's we've had where expensive , I wouldn't dream of charging, it's my youngest daughters birthday party next month it's free for all the children invited, and the cost of hiring the same venue we normally use has doubled
That is awful. I had some outrageous and awesome parties for my daughter when she was young and never asked any of the other parents for a penny. How would this child feel if no one came to celebrate her birthday rather than pay to do so.
No I don’t think you should be asked to pay to attend a birthday party. However I have offered to make food. I read some parents also have present lists like wedding lists!
Pjran Maybe the present lists are so they don't end up with things that the child isn't interested in?
I simply wouldn’t go. When you’re invited to a party that is because the host has asked you, meaning they will provide whatever is at the party. If they can’t afford it then don’t throw it. I never charged a penny for my children’s parties and likewise I was never asked to pay for any that they went to.
DeniseMason It used to be free to attend a children's party hosted by another parent , and that's the way it should be
As long as they receive a decent gift that should be enough and the fact you are giving that child a birthday that they will not forget by being there
The same goes for weddings, paying to attend someone else's celebration ???
It used to be that a wedding gift was enough , its like being taxed twice 
Think the reason for that could be that they don't receive any gifts not wanted so instead of getting a gift or present just pay and then they could spend on what ever they prefer
'Paulyousef28 In the past it was enough for your friends and family to attend P , there was no thought of the value of the gift or if you got something you didn't want , you were just grateful people came to show you their support
And if you kept the receipt you could always get another gift if it was a duplicate, most people offered to do this and kept the receipt for this reason, at least people i knew
Now it is all about money and paying your way , how values have changed
The argument might that now that weddings are more expensive, but no, they are not, if you use inflation as a factor to compare they are probably near enough the same as years ago
My daughter 's old school friend once bought our daughter an expensive present
I thought there had been a mistake so asked the child's mum..
The child wanted our daughter to have the same as her, we went out & bought the child a Dance Mat to make uo the difference in gifts, she loved it!
I wouldn't host a party if I couldn't afford for all kids to come and as for sending a wishlist, I'd be far to embarrassed!
SamGoodship that’ll just be rude - it’s not standard etiquette to know how much you’re gifting someone. It’s meant to be the thought that counts
When we had a party for our daughter we invited her cousins, so many of her school friends & other friends, I gave out party bags to everyone at her party & some sweets to their siblings.
We usually had it at a nice but not too expensive venue...
No I certainly WOULDN'T have paid for our daughter to attend a children's party & I wouldn't buy an over the top gift either...
Not upset, but I wouldn’t pay! If you send invites to a party it’s because you’d like them to come and celebrate with you or your child. It wouldn’t enter my head to charge - ever!!!
Never ever.We had sarnies and lemonade, jelly and home games like pin the tail on the donkey ,blind man's buff and pass the parcel.
I still find it ridiculous in this day & age that Lucky spends £500 to £1000 on her 6 & 11 year old children's EXTRAVAGANT parties when there are so many children with NOTHING.
I would SHARE & spread some HAPPINESS if that was me..
I would never dream of charging for a kids party. Especially that amount.
Last year I hired a bouncy castle and had a party at home, done games and done a buffet and cake myself
Our son had a party last year for his birthday. We paid for the venue and all the food and drink and each child got a party bag. I even told parents they didn't need to buy him a present as his birthday is a month before Christmas. I would never dre of charging people to come to a party. If I was presented with a £46 bill for a party I wouldn't go.
Kids enjoy the party a d it's as much for your kid as it is the others, if you can't afford a party don't have one have a few friends come for tea do something that you can afford charging is just damn right rude and also excludes others that can't afford it not that I'd pay even if I could.
There's no way I would consider this if you can't afford the party your child doesn't have one. I would say £42 per child is also a vert expensive party
I've never heard of it and certainly wouldn't pay that amount and have to buy a present as well. What happened to a good old party in your garden.
This seems ridiculous. In my younger day, you took in turns, everyone came to yours and you went to theirs. When I was in my teens it was chose a couple of friends to do an activity with and again vice versa. For £42 I’d be expecting a lot, I know my parents wouldn’t have paid that and certainly I wouldn’t have gone. I think the world’s gone a little bit weird. If you host something your guests shouldn’t have to pay!
It's very sad that children's parties are subject to oneupmaship and have got to look better than anyone elses. But to charge the attending children to pay for the privilege is wicked. If you can't afford it then don't do it. one of lifes lessons to teach your children
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