Child's birthday party- Is this tacky?

[merrily]

I am planning my son's 9th birthday party. We are having it at a local movie theatre. It will be a private screening of Shrek 2 with unlimited popcorn and soda for all guests. This our first non home birthday party and I am afraid of getting stuck paying for extra guests ( I read another thread here about that topic). Would it be tacky to put on the invitation that if parents or siblings wish to attend the movie that they would need to pay their own way ($7.00)? If it would be okay to put that, how should I put it? Or should I just pay for everyone if additional guests show up?

 

[grinningghost]

Well, because I would consider it tacky if they come and bring extra guests that weren't invited, AND expect you to pay, I don't think it would be tacky on your part to request that additional people pay their own way.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Sounds good to me. I definetly would include that. A private screening of Shrek 2? Woo-hoo!
How many extra guests can you accomodate? Hmmm...you might have ALOT show up if you add that.

 

[Mskanga]

No I do not think it's tacky. If they bring siblings or the parents stay , they are warned , they have to pay their own way.

 

[Roemama1]

You could just say something like...additional individual admission is available at $7.00 per person...

 

[HollyJoy]

I don't think that's tacky at all! I can't stand it when people show up with extra people..that's just rude. We will be having a pool party for my oldest daughter this year, and we have to pay for non pool members. However, in our case it's only $2 per person, so I don't mind paying for them... in your case, it's quite a bit more expensive.

 

[Gupsmom]

I would word it a bit differently.....

 

[Gupsmom]

I would word it a bit differently.....

Siblings and parents are welcome to stay. Extra tickets are $7 each.

Or something along those lines....

Jess

 

[Roemama1]

Originally posted by Gupsmom
I would word it a bit differently.....

Siblings and parents are welcome to stay. Extra tickets are $7 each.

Or something along those lines....

Jess

OOOH, that's good!!! I like that much better than mine. (I knew what I wanted to say...just could make it come out right). Yes, use this one.

 

[stinkerbelle]

Originally posted by Gupsmom
Siblings and parents are welcome to stay. Extra tickets are $7 each.

I think that's perfect!

And, additionaly - what a COOL party idea!

 

[Keli]

I don't think it's tacky at all if you word it as Gupsmom said. Actually I think it's a very kind gesture to give the option to parents and siblings of your guests to stay and see the preview also at their own cost.

 

[kpgclark]

Instead of putting the party hours say as 2-5, I would write "drop off at 2" and "pick up at 5". This way parents will get the hint. I think it would be difficult to ask other guests to pay. When the parents RSVP I'd say something again reinforcing the fact that you would prefer just children like "the kids are going to have so much fun having their own 'kids only' screening."

 

[izzy]

Originally posted by merrily
I am planning my son's 9th birthday party. We are having it at a local movie theatre. It will be a private screening of Shrek 2 with unlimited popcorn and soda for all guests. This our first non home birthday party and I am afraid of getting stuck paying for extra guests ( I read another thread here about that topic). Would it be tacky to put on the invitation that if parents or siblings wish to attend the movie that they would need to pay their own way ($7.00)? If it would be okay to put that, how should I put it? Or should I just pay for everyone if additional guests show up?

First of all, this is such a neat idea for a birthday party!!!

If the extra people show up and pay the $7 a head, how are you going to handle the unlimited popcorn and soda for guests, or does that $7 include the food? (If it does, then you really got a great deal from the movie theatre!) If it doesn't, knowing the price of food at a movie theatre, this could get pretty expensive for you for the "non-invited but paying" guests.

Honestly, while I think you're a sweetheart for trying to think of others members of the invitees' families, I think I would just put on the invitation that due the nature of the party, you won't be able to handle uninvited guests. (Yes, I am now donning my flame-retardent suit!)

 

[missyc]

Originally posted by kpgclark
Instead of putting the party hours say as 2-5, I would write "drop off at 2" and "pick up at 5". This way parents will get the hint. I think it would be difficult to ask other guests to pay. When the parents RSVP I'd say something again reinforcing the fact that you would prefer just children like "the kids are going to have so much fun having their own 'kids only' screening."

I agree. Some will assume that they are WANTED (as long as they pay their own way). I hate when people do this! Especially when you don't know the family, like if it's a classmate. So rude. Even for the $2 pool party. If it's not your party, don't stay!!

On the other hand, if you truly don't mind lots of other people at the party, then just put the note about the individual cost.

This could create an akward moment though. My sister had a similar problem w/a pool party. She let everyone know ahead of time that they had to pay if they wanted to stay. There were whole families that tried to get her to pay! We had a list of the invited kids at the entrance for the employee to use. People were telling him just to add their names to the list! Luckily the guy at the entrance was good enough to politely let them know that since thier names weren't already on the list they would have to pay their own entrance fee or he could send for my sister if they thought it was an error that they weren't included on the list. Of course no adult would actually do that to her face so they either left or paid! Although they did expect to be fed with the rest of the party.
Rude people really amaze me sometimes!
Be prepared! They'll try to get ya!

 

[klmklm]

maybe you could print up a "ticket" with "Admit One" and the invited child's name on it...

 

[angel's momma]

Originally posted by Gupsmom
I would word it a bit differently.....

Siblings and parents are welcome to stay. Extra tickets are $7 each.

Or something along those lines....

Jess

I'm concerned that people would twist this to mean that siblings & parents are free, and extra people that they want to bring are $7.

 

[Gupsmom]

maybe you could print up a "ticket" with "Admit One" and the invited child's name on it...

If you don't want additional guest (as opposed to just not wanting to PAY for additional guests), then I think this is an awesome idea!!! I'll have to remember that one...it couuld be used for almost any party idea (skating, laser tag etc). Truthfully, you could even combine that with "Parents and sibs are welcome. Additional tickets are $7."

Jess

 

[stinkerbelle]

maybe you could print up a "ticket" with "Admit One" and the invited child's name on it...

good idea in theory...but how many busy mom's will actually remember to bring this ticket?

just throwing that out there...

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Just wanted to add if my dd was 9 I would NOT expect to stay for this party. However if you throw in the "added bonus" I would probably have changed plans to go.

How about...."Parents and siblings are welcome to join us at $7 each." Please call if you want more info.

 

[missyc]

Better yet...how 'bout "We'd rather you didn't, but if you insist on staying too your ticket will be $7". LOL