My daughter (will be 5) wants to have her birthday at ice rink. We cannot afford to pay for everyone to skate. I was thinking of having party at home with games, cake, and ice cream from 6pm to 7pm (Sat.) and then going to rink afterwards (from 7:15pm to 8:15pm). We are not able to provide full transportation (only room for two more in our vehicle) or admission. What should we do? We plan on inviting 8 children (friends) and 8 adults (family and friends). (Would it be rude to let her have one or two special friends come?) What should we put on invitations?
2007-10-10 09:44:57 · 32 answers · asked by saint_iniquity 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
I think we will have the party at home from 2 to 4pm with cake, ice cream, games, and favors. I am still going to take her skating at 7pm. Family will be going skating, should I mention to friends that if they'd like to come, admission is $6 (including skate rental), but they need someone else to bring them?
2007-10-11 05:25:27 · update #1
I think you should decide between only having the party at your home, and maybe extending the time so the kids can have their fun, or go skating but asking that parents pay. Or that parents pay a percentage of the cost, so they don't think your being totally unfair. Id say those are your two choices, because your already gonna be out a good chunk of change because of cake, ice cream, decorations, presents etc., it would be unfair to you to pay for 8 children and 8 adults to skate, which I would assume is going to be upwards of 150-200 dollars; atleast around here. Good luck. Happy birthday to your daughter.
2007-10-10 09:51:14 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
OMG, you do not EVER ask guests to pay for a portion of a birthday party! Yes yes it would be the rudest thing ever!
I realize your daughter would like to go to the ice rink, but if you cannot afford it for everyone invited, then it's a no-go! These rinks usually have birthday party plans that are a better deal than full admissions times multiple people, have you looked into that?
This is something inappropriate for friends, but have you considered asking family members to all go in on the rink party in lieu of buying gifts because that's what your daughter really wants? And not just be the money tree but to help out in planning and such? That way there would be several hosts instead of just you, their gifts would be the party, and your daughter would still get wrapped presents from the friends.
Failing that, what you may need to do is have a traditional party at home (with an ice skating theme maybe?) and then take her to the rink for a family-only trip the next day or something.
Good luck!
2007-10-10 10:25:14 · answer #2 · answered by AJ 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
You can:
1. Invite all the people to the party and separately (and quietly) invite a few to go to the rink with you and you pay. This will be difficult though to have the kids keep quiet about it.
2. Invite only a few people to the party and take them skating too
3. Do the skating party on another day.
I think some people will take the "pay your own way skating" invite badly. I wouldn't but I think some would.
2007-10-10 10:10:36 · answer #3 · answered by Gary B 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Maybe they could get there own transportation and that and only have a few friends over... Just the special ones can go to ice skjating as it would be really rude to say hey come to ice skating for my bday.. but you have to pay..
Plus she is only 5 (hope that doesnt sound rude) so having a big party at home and big party ice skating would tire her out...
Good Luck and hope your daughter has a happy birthday =]
2007-10-10 09:52:51 · answer #4 · answered by Hanarr x] 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are hosting a party at an ice rink, you should pay admission for the guests. So, the ice rink idea may need to wait for another year?
If you do choose to have the skating party, you should make certain to indicate that each guest will be responsible for his/her admission to the rink. That way there will be no embarrassing misunderstandings.
2007-10-10 09:50:02 · answer #5 · answered by artistagent116 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I can understand your situation & the want to please your daughter, but I do feel it would be rude. You are having a party for your daughter & inviting others to it. I feel that you are responible for paying for the admission to the ice skating ring. If I were you, I would do like that one girl advised, in your invitation, that there will be an after party event at the ice skating ring. That way, if the parents want their children going, they will be responible for paying their way in & for their transportation there. It solves both problems without making you look rude or thoughtless.
For my children's second birthday, we had it at a local burger joint & paid for the children, not adults. There was only 4 children that showed up. Good luck.
2007-10-10 10:19:28 · answer #6 · answered by shameless412 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You should stick with the original party plans. Cake ice cream favors at home. Take your daughter and one friend out skating sunday afternoon. If you go past your budget you may cause problems for your bills and needs later. Also you are teaching her awfully young about extravagence than isn't necessary. Skating parties are better for ten and up anyway. Save to have the party next year if you have to. Offer, if you can, to pay for one friends skating on sunday afternoon. A friend party on the night before and family party next day. Enough said. Good Luck and thank god for dollar stores for favors for the kids....it will all be ok...
2007-10-10 09:53:52 · answer #7 · answered by creamiehumper 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well, it would be best to have the skating after, but only if theres one of two special friends going to skate. It's... 9 dollars to go skating usually, so it's not a big deal. If you can't afford it and more than that number of people are coming, have the skating before the party.
2007-10-10 09:49:36 · answer #8 · answered by Bella 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you should put the price of admission on the invitations and request volunteers to drive OR rent a van--'Rent-A-Wreck' is very reasonable
6-7pm 7:15-8:15pm? kinda late for 5-year-olds
discuss your situation with skating rink manager--possibly could give you a group discount and the birthday girl should receive FREE stuff
2007-10-10 09:54:20 · answer #9 · answered by RozPot 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, as long as you state that you are just "reserving the time" at the ice rink or some such, and that everyone will need to pay the normal fees to skate, and transport themselves. Also that "light refreshments" will be served at the prior house party.
Honestly? You are asking your guests to do too much to participate. Either limit it to the house party, or choose a number of guests that you can afford.
2007-10-10 09:48:09 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋