Want to do the right thing.....please help....regarding son's birthday party....

I have family in various parts of the country here in the US. I can tell you that this varies based on regions. Where I live, the way you have it planned is what we do around here. Personally, I agree with you completely. You have asked them to come enjoy themselves and help make it a fun day for your son. As an appreciation for their friendship and willingness to celebrate your son's special day with him, I would pick up the tab without even a second thought. I hope it is a wonderful day for your little guy! I am sure it will be.

Hi,Tina. WEll,if it's your son's party and you don't feel comfortable making the families pay for their meals,I would n't make them. It's your son's birthday and it should be done to what 's more comfortable for you.I hope the party comes out okay1 Let me know okay? Tell your son "Happy Birthday"

man if i were u i would certainly pay for everyone i invited in the party including the games children play.man u have invited them and they too are bringing gifts so there should be no doubt about u asking cash from them for ur son's birthday.

You should pay for it. You invited them and they are probably expecting for it to be all paid for. Every birthday party I have ever went to like this with my kids were already paid for. And when I did something like this with my daughter, I paid for everything. I never made my guest pay a dime. They shouldn't have to. I mean they will probably bring a gift, I'm sure. But its your part to pay for everything. Usually pizza places will have the person throwing the party buy everything up front. How I see it is if you don't have the money for your guests to eat on then don't throw a party like the one you are having. I did something like this with my daughter, I baught a party kit and they gave me a good deal on everything.

I believe that you are being a very generous person, If you have special food ordered and it is not to their liking then I think that they should pay for their own food, otherwise you would be paying for the food if you were at home or the park. You must have a very special little boy and I do wish him a happy birthday. and a big pat on the back to your self. You do what feels comfortable with you.

I know if I was having a party at a restaurant of any kind, I would pay the cost of meals for all of the guests. If I was invited to a party like that I would be assuming the meal was provided. Think of it like this, if you were having the party at your home you wouldn't ask your guests to chip in for having pizza delivered. I actually think you are being really generous by giving out the quarters as well but it's a good idea. My oldest daughter was invited to a birthday party at a skating rink once. All that the other parents provided was a cake and the admission fee (but not skate rental) for only the children they invited. So I had to pay for myself to get in since parents were expected to stay even though I was also 8 1/2 months pregnant and obviously had no intention of skating. They didn't provide drinks or quarters for games, just the cake itself which was about 1/2 the size it should have been for the number of guests. My point is everybody does things differently at children's birthday parties. I think what you are doing is good but it is more than some other people do. But it's your son and you have every right to do what you want for his birthday. It'd be nice if more parents were like you!

In my opinion, the person throwing the party makes the rules. If you did not make it clear that each family should pay for their own meals when you invited them then you should probably pick up the tab. There are probably some people who would have opted to not attend if they knew they would have to pay for their own meal. Don't sweat the small stuff. Do what you want to do and consider it a lesson learned. Your friend can make the rules when she throws a party. I hope you have a good time with your little guy!

I think that if u can afford it you can sure take the bill, if not I think it would be nice to infor the people ahead that they will have to pay. I am sure that most parents will not eat anyways, they are usually there just for the kids and the kids will usually not eat alot either. I would definately invite them and pay for it all, just as I would if i had the party at home.

I feel that you are stuck between a rock and a hard place hun. For what it's worth I would say that it is probably best to pay for what has been ordered but if anyone wants something different then perhaps they should pay for their own.

Boy that is a tough one. If I were invited to a party being held at a regular restaurant, I wouldn't dream of someone paying for it. However, when I would have parties at a pizza place, and go to one at a pizza place the people having the party paid for the pizza. If you feel more comfortable with buying it like you planned, you should. However, if someone wants something different then pizza, then they should pay for that on their own. It is hard to say. With that many people coming, I can't believe that everyone would expect you to pay for all of that. I know if I attended a party that big, I give money to them, to help them out. Good luck. You sound like you have a warm heart.

If you invited the families without specifing that they will be paying for their own meals, I think that you should pay for everyone. If I were invited to a party, I would think that the person who invited me was paying for the meals. I have had my kids parties at our pizza parlor also and would never even consider having the other families for their meals. I think you are right and your friend is wrong on this topic. Have a fun time:)

I've been to parties like this and they order so much stuff but most of the time its just for the kids. I think it should of been that the food is for everyone because like you said you invited them and they are bringing gifts. Why should it be different then anything else. Now if the person wants something then yes they should pay for it themselves.

i think you should only pay for them as you said because they are coming for your son and you have invited them...maybe they feel bad that you are asking them to pay and not enjoy the same way as they would have before...i think they are giving wishes to your son which should be the best thing on his b'day...so i guess you should only pay...i would have done this if i was in your situation..

I think the only meals you are obligated to pay for are the children invited. If you can afford to pay for all their families as well, though, it's a VERY nice extra. One word of advice re the quarters: give each child a set number and make it clear from the outset that there are no more. Otherwise, they'll break you.

I think that, in the light of your inviting them on the summise that you were going to pay for them, you should. If the parents make the offer of payment for their own kids, then perhaps take it, but if you were prepared to pay in the first place, I think perhaps you should. I'm sure, as you say, the other children will bring gifts for your son and your son will have a perfect birthday. I hope you manage to sort this out in your mind... Brightest Blessing on you and your Son for his Birthday! x

Happy Birthday to your son! Don't fret too much about it, what's important is that you celebrate this wonderful event in your kid's life. Now that all the arrangement's have been made, it would just be about settling the bill after right? I strongly agree with you that you should be paying for the food and the venue of the party. It's a large expense, true, but since you only have invited a select few [I say select because in my family alone I'm expected to invite most of my other relatives too, more than 50 people! well anyway] and I understand that these are very close friends of yours and your kid. So again, I believe it's okay to pay for the food and the place. On the other hand, I don't think you should be giving quarters for the kids to play the games. Doesn't the pizza parlor offer some party games or kiddie games? Here in the Philippines, most venues for parties also offer a short program with some MCs taking care of the games. You don't need to give out quarters, if your guests want to play, then they should pay for their own, the food and invitation is more than generous of you. Have fun! I hope I was able to help.

My dearest friend, I feel if you have invited the families and the kids and have not yet mentioned that they have to pay something to participate, you should pay for everything- I am sure the families would be happy to pay if they knew in advance - it does not look really nice to INVITE someone and then ask them to pay for something; of course, this is just my opinion... The party sounds like so much fun - you are one great mom!!!! I am sure your son will love it!

If you had planned to pay anyway, I would continue with that plan. If parents wish to make a contribution then you can either accept or decline! I personally am with you. If I invite people to a party I expect to the foot the bill. If I am expecting people to pay for themselves then I make this completely clear at the time of invite! Enjoy the party, and oh...... I just noticed this discussion is four days old! LOL! Now as I'm sure you didn't wait for my opinion, the party has allready gone ahead! I hope you sorted your dillema and your son had a lovely day!

If you can afford to do it than yes,but if someone wants extra stuff then you can tell them they will have to pay for it,and if anyone says they will pay you get the choice of taking it or not. I have been to parties that do both you pay for some (the kids) and the adults pay for the rest. It's always hard when deciding something like this. But you can call the people and ask them what they feel comfortable doing. I hope I was of some help and good luck,and tell your son I said Happy Belated Birthday!

You are the good parents fou your son,i think your son will like the party.If all friends off yous and your son's come to the party,it will be a lively and significance party.You should do that.