My boyfriend's bday is this month, he is turning 30. For his bday I would really like to throw him a surprise birthday dinner and invite alot of his family. I want to make sure Im not getting in over my head before I do this so I need some help. If Im inviting everyone for the party, am I responsible for everyone's tab? If not, is a place that is around $10 a plate too expensive to expect everyone to come? I would really appreciate your input :)
2006-08-01 04:11:08 · 21 answers · asked by breeokc 2 in Food & Drink ➔ Entertaining
I would love to have it at my place but I dont have much room. I do have a huge backyard but here in Oklahoma its been up in the 100 degrees area and I dont have any seating for an outdoor BBQ.
2006-08-01 09:02:52 · update #1
I don't think you are resposible for the tab. If I was invited to a party at the restaurant I would not expect to have my meal paid for. I think $10 a plate is reasonable.
2006-08-01 04:16:15 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
I don't know what these other people are talking about but when I go out for someone's birthday celebration I pay my own bill and throw in money for the birthday person. If I am invited to their home I bring a bottle of wine or ask if I should bring a dish of food. This is a birthday party not a wedding.
2006-08-01 11:20:53 · answer #2 · answered by superrrmodel 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are having a party catered at your house or somewhere then you shouldn't ask people to pay. If you are having a dinner party where you are doing the cooking then ask people to bring food. Not everyone, just those closet to you like good friends, mother or sisters. This will probably be the cheapest way. If you go to the restaurant and have food pre order such as a buffet type thing then some people may feel as if they don't have to pay. If it's just a "hey come to such and such on Friday for John's birthday" then no you are not expected to pay
2006-08-01 12:11:59 · answer #3 · answered by the dirty south 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If I were you, I would contact his friends and relatives and find out if they would like to attend the dinner. Explain to them that you can't afford to pay for the entire party yourself, and the average cost of the meals are around $10. Obviously, you should pay for the birthday boy's meal. Try telling them that they don't need to bring a gift to the party, that you just would like to get everyone together.
If the first few don't think that it is a good idea, then throw the party at your home, and ask folks to bring a dish to pass. It is always better to check, than to offend.
2006-08-01 11:19:07 · answer #4 · answered by Tish 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A common practice when having a party at a restaurant is to have something along the line of "entrees range from $8-$24"
I have received many invitations with similar wording, which lets me know that I will be paying for my meal.
2006-08-01 16:15:07 · answer #5 · answered by jenna1384b2002 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, you should really have a backyard BBQ and tell everyone to bring a dish.
I did the "invite with stipulations for people to pay" and it was a disaster. Lots of people came, but ONE of the guests did much to ruin the day by complaining about the food (not the fact they had to pay) It's only takes one pissy wet blanket to ruin the fun.
2006-08-01 11:27:05 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I just had a b'day party for my daughter, and we invited a lot of her friends. We rented a Recreation Center through the Parks Department. It was only $150 to rent and it had a big area with tables and chairs as well as a kitchen with fridge and stove. I am sure the Dept of Parks and Rec in your area have similar facilities to rent.
I really don't think people should have to pay to come to the party.
2006-08-01 12:59:55 · answer #7 · answered by ~•over the moon•~ 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are you sure your boyfriend wants this? My wife did this for my 40th and I hated it it. I had the whole weekend worked out with a trip up my favourite mountain and a stay at the peak.
It was all blown because I had to sit in some stupid pub with a stupid badge on explaining how old I was and a bunch of relatives half of whom I didn't want to see and the other half of whom I didn't want to be with! It was a nightmare! At least I remember it I suppose?
The good thing about it was that it was the last time my wife will ever spring a surprise party on me again because I've told her next time I'm definitely going up the mountain!
2006-08-01 11:41:06 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
you don't really have to pick the tab for everyone. But you will have to specify that at the time you extend the invitation otherwise it is implied that you will be taking care of it. $10 a plate is very reasonable unless you are inviting some homeless and trailer trash
2006-08-01 11:17:05 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hmm... I would say it would probably be better if you paid since you're inviting everyone. Then again I'm sure they wouldn't mind paying 10$ a plate as long as they are there with their family to celebrate a relatives birthday.
2006-08-01 18:43:40 · answer #10 · answered by C-Baby 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋