My wife says if we invite our friends and their 3 year olds to my childs birthday at a restaurant that its customary to pay for everyone. Is this reasonable?
My wife says if we invite our friends and their 3 year olds to my childs birthday at a restaurant that its customary to pay for everyone. Is this reasonable?
Usually the host pays. If it’s at a sit-down restaurant with a menu (where different food have different prices and people can order sides ans dessertand drinks and stuff) everyone pays for themselves… but surely you’re not having a kids birthday party at a sit-down restaurant? It’s a place that specialises in servicing children and hosting child parties, where you can order a buffet for everyone/the kids, right?
But as long as you communicate expectations clearly on the invite you can do as you like. For example: “There will be buffet style food served for the kids to eat. Accompanying adults can buy food at a café next to the playground.” Or “Entry to the jump yard is X:- per child. Since each family pays for themselves we don’t expect birthday gifts” (make sure your child knows this).
Parties can be made pretty cheap, so I would prefer a type of party that fits your budget rather than create an expensive party where some kids might not affort to join the celebrations. It’s not the location or fancy foods or special activities/entertainment, it’s the people and (for many kids) the theme, that makes it special.
Excellent answer.
And I really want to emphasize Location matters.
At a Chucky Cheese or a McDonald’s, I would be pleasantly surprised if you offered drinks. And any adults that dare can rummage through the leftovers from the kids if they are desperate or masochists. But, if we’re at a regular restaurant, then this is clearly not about the kids, this is an adult gathering with the kids as an excuse. There better be at least some kind of appetizers or light snacks. And they should have communicated that clearly. The amount I expect to be fed is directly proportional to how much I had to dress up. If I can roll up in my PJs, shove my child out the car door, and drive away, then I expect nothing from you. Sweatpants and whatever shirt I pulled off of the top of the pile of clean laundry? Then I expect a place to sit and some water. If I had to put on my good sweats and find a shirt without holes or stains, then we are entering charcuterie territory. But, if I need to put on a jacket and tie, then you can bet that I expect appetizers, a steak (or steak equivalent), and liquor or dessert.