Party

Some few years ago a lady I know had a 'big O' birthday meal in a local hotel. Guests told me afterwards that they paid for their own meals /drinks.

PS I wouldn't want to do that. I'd prefer a smaller gathering and I would foot the bill.

I couldn't do that, even if I had to do the catering myself.

Oohhh I love a good thread on this topic. There’s loads on MN. Seriously I think in general you should celebrate your birthday in a way you can afford to pay for yourself. With real friends ( and who wants any other kind) they’d be as happy with a simple afternoon tea party as anything else to join in your celebrations. I’d hate all the sorting out of money afterwards and the dreaded ‘shall we spilt the bill between us ‘ usually proposed by the person who drank the most and had the most expensive items on the menu. I went to one celebration where all the drinks were paid for, it was a set meal so all paid the same per head and transport to and from the restaurant was organised and paid for. That worked well but I’d still go for what I could afford to provide for myself. But we all know our own friends best and what we think is acceptable in our own circles though don’t we ? I would just never want to financially embarrass a friend or put one in position of not being able to come

If I invite people then I will pay for their meals but I do know some who ask their friends to pay for themselves. Just a personal choice I suppose.

I once went to a very small wedding and we had to pay for our own meals.

Definite no no for me. Tailor the celebration to what you can afford comfortably.
I agree with suziewoozie all that sorting out of payment afterwards takes the pleasure out of the occasion. There is always someone who wants their bill accounted for down to the last crumb.

People inviting you to a party at the moment !!
Oh please - so wrong on so many levels .

What a bluddy cheek ,pay for your own meal ? NOOOOO.
Happy birthday but won`t be attending or sending a gift.

Same here. either pay for it all yourself or son;t invite so many. Like EV, I'm most likely to cater myself - wear myself to a fraszzle and not enjoy the paryt!

I'm trying to figure out how this works. Does one pay a guesstimated price in advance or is the bill divvied up on the day at the occasion? Somewhat messy and celebration crushing to my mind. However, I've never received such an invitation and really don't expect to but..... who knows?!!