We're baptizing our baby this Saturday. We would like to go eat at a restaurant afterwards, but my husband has a big family..and that's cause we want to keep it as intimate as possible...but he has like 2 sisters, one with 4 kids + husband, ...then a brother and his g-friend, then my sister which is the godmother, and my parents...we had planned to pay for the 2 couples-parents, the godmother and ourselves, cause I honestly think it's too much to pay for all of them....and then theyre the type they wont even offer to help with at least 10 dollars at then end...theyre willing to go whenever anything is free... so where can we go so we wont have to pay a lot?? like a buffet, or should we go to a restaurant and order the same thing for everyone ... I just dont want to end up paying a fortune bescause of that... and no, I dont want to do anything at my house either...We will all be dressed up and its a day I want to enjoy and not go home and be serving everyone so any suggestions?
2006-09-20 03:30:03 · 6 answers · asked by Lorena 3 in Family & Relationships ➔ Family
We have the same issue- yet they don't want to pay and they have the money.
[suggested to me and worked]
We always put a flyer "program" with an detailed itenarary of the days events with times, (type of clothes) and directions on it, including the prices of the meals.
Example: Susies Baptism- Saturday, Sept nineth at 9:45
We are so happy you are here to share this formal blessing of our child into the precsious of our Lord and arms of his church flock.
9-9:30 arrive at church for meet and greet and take a seat
9:45-10 ceremony starts and will last 20 minutes or so.
10:30-11:30 Then we have photos with minister and baby
During that time coffee and donuts are served in next room or if you want to be in a photo all are welcome with their cameras.
11:30-12- in transit to resurant and time to change into casual clothes
12-1:30 Golden Corral for shared lunch time ($15 per adult $5 per child) We have a reserved table, so folks can come and go as they need too. Please bring something for the kids to do after meal, so we can have some time to visit.
2:00 Time to get the baby home for a nap, Please be sure to sign the guest book with address and current phone/cell numbers.
Make it simple and lots of open "white" space.
At the bottom give directions or copy up mapquest from the freeway to church to food and have them laying out at the event. Make 5-8 copies, since most will follow each other anyway.
YOU need to go to a resturant that is pay "upfront" like a buffet.
Please pull the folks you want to pay for together and in a group at the end of the line, so to greet and encourage others up front. That way the can file past you and hug/kiss before plates in hand.
DO-Call restaurant first (get manager only and take names) and reserve a large section of tables in special room ( normally free with dinner) if the room is enclosed, we acutally put kids at one table {assigned it to our preteen with a whisper of $5 dollars if you can keep the animals calm) and put out games (adult mid-meal) and then "if they were good they got dessert.
I always sent my bestfriend a head of time, right after photos with balloons and place cards to save "seats" for the family as a cluster. [dollar store stuff $10 bucks! the day before-prewritten]
I have used this exact same thing from HUGE events to Mc Donalds birthday parties. ITs a wonderful way to give direction, expectations, and Structure to any event in a polite and formal way.
Its not expensive, just get some fancy paper- at Walmart. Print it all up on the PC and you can actually email it to the folks before and hand out a copy at the door of the church, since you don't have time to mail it. People do want them as scrapbooks stuff.
Deligate the hard things to your best friend, confident in her and she will step up if you give her the responsiblity.
Best wishes. Have a wonderful time!
Sorry, to much text for spell check...
2006-09-20 04:37:01 · answer #1 · answered by Denise W 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have known people like your in-laws. You are going to get stuck paying for the dinner. Go to a buffet so that you don't get stuck with too high of a bill. It is ridiculous that you have to pay for his sister with four kids and a husband, but since it looks as if you are going to get stuck anyway, make sure the final bill is at least reasonable.
You might try this: when you get to the restaurant, say to the people (parents and God-mother) you want to pay for, "Your dinner is our treat." You still may get stuck paying for the others, but at least you have tried. BTW, this has never worked for me, but at least I gave it a try.
This is a difficult situation, but just make up your mind ahead of time that you will enjoy your baby's baptism and don't allow the dinner thing to ruin your day. The baptism is a very special time and you need to have wonderful memories of that event and not worry about the dinner. Have a wonderful time, congratulations on the baptism of your baby.
2006-09-20 03:40:09 · answer #2 · answered by Patti C 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If I was you I would go ahead as you planed for the parents and godmother ,tell them you plan to go out to dinner after if anyone wishes to come this is the price per person .you should not have to pay there way .and then they cant say they was not invited and it will be there choice if they do or dont come .and if that dont work with you and hubby try salad bar for all .that is the lowest priced thing you can do ,but I really think I would go ahead call one tell them to let the others know you are going out and if they would like to come this place charges-- ?for a plate .you are welcome to come .let one family memeber you know will pass it around you cant pay for everyone to eat .
2006-09-20 03:43:28 · answer #3 · answered by Holly 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can go to a buffet and have everyone self pay, If you go to a restaurant, the bill will be to hard to divide. A buffet charges you before you sit down. Just pay for yourself and then move on down the line.
2006-09-20 03:36:11 · answer #4 · answered by melodyzsong214 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You will just have to say that it's a pay your own way after the baptizim..........I dont see why you should be stuck with the bill for this. Just tell them straight, it's a pay your own fo rthe luch
2006-09-20 03:33:49 · answer #5 · answered by Linda 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
cook a simple meal like chicken,corn mashed poatoes and buscuits.everyone can go back to your house.you and your husband will be spending very well to feed people at a restaurant.you will have unexspected people show up looking for a free meal.
2006-09-20 03:36:49 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋