Inspired by the tipping thread -- birthday party tip?

[cgcw]

The tipping in restaurant thread got me thinking. Did I do right in this situation??

My DS5 had a birthday party at a local gym. We attend classes there twice a week. The party was 2 hours on a Saturday afternoon. The party was run by one of the gym staff and a teenage helper. They kept the kids busy during the party -- doing different activities, playing games, parades, etc. We had pizza delivered and the gym staff took care of serving the kids the pizza as well as cake. Presents were sent home with us unopened (strange, I know, but I thought we were going to do them at the end and that's not how it worked.)

The cost of the gym was $250. We paid separately for the pizza.

Before I say what we tipped, I'm curious. What would you have tipped?

Thanks for any insight. I've always felt awkward in these type of situations. Just wondering if I did right or not.

Cindy

 

[cepmom]

I never would have thought to tip in that situation. I would have just assumed the $250 covered everything ~ no tip. I have had a child's party at a local children's museum and never tipped the people working there.

 

[Hillbeans]

Usually the "tip" is calculated in at the end, separate from the $250, however i'd probably say you tipped $25 per person?

I know, it sounds crazy, but here in the Northeast that's the norm for a party at a MyGym or Little Gym.

 

[ChristmasElf]

$25.00 tip per person? That seems a bit high to me. I think I would have asked if tipping was generally done and if yes, I would've left 20% on top of the $250.

 

[gina2000]

I would have tipped a total of $25. These people make a wage and it's usually part time help. If they were really, really good, I'd probably tip a bit more....$40.

 

[cgcw]

I gave them $60. I figured 20% would have been $50. I probably over tipped but I'd rather over tip than under tip.

They did have a little sign made up stating that "tips were appreciated".

I just never know what is appropriate.

I know, it sounds crazy, but here in the Northeast that's the norm for a party at a MyGym or Little Gym.

We had the party at My Gym.



Thanks!!

 

[wdw4us2]

My teenage DD sometimes helps out at the local Bowling Center when they do birthday parties. The Bowl provides food, drinks and cake as part of the package. The teenagers serve the food and drinks, help out with the bowling and gifts and pretty much do whatever the parents of the birthday kids ask. The parties last 2 hours and have from 8 - 15 kids generally.

That being said, she has received tips of anywhere from $0 - $25. Not surprisingly, the rudest people are usually the worst tippers. Back when our kids had their parties there, we tipped from $10 - $20 depending on how many kids were at the party.

 

[KirstenB]

I tip $25.00 to the person who helped our group at Chuck E. Cheese. This is the only place we've held a birthday party, so I'm not sure about other venues.

 

[powellrj]

we had a pool party last year at our gym for DD and tipped the girl $20. She really seemed surprised. Not only that we tipped her, but that we talked to her. She said most parents act like shes not even there and ignore her. She was a sweet kid and really seem to enjoy her job!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I was an instructor at Gymboree about 5 years ago. When I did birthday parties I think I was there for a total of 2.5 hours (30 min. to set up, 1.5 hours for party, 30 min. to clean up) and we were paid about $50. I can remember getting tips of up to $20, but they were the exception. Most families didn't tip, and I don't think a tip was expected. We most certainly did NOT have a sign about gratuities!

I have had parties at Chuck E. Cheese where I think we did tip but it wasn't 20%. We also had a party at the bowling alley and again, I think we tipped, but it wasn't 20%. I think $10-$20 for the "party helpers" is plenty if there are parents helping or if it is designed to be a "drop-off" party.

 

[momofmikey]

I just had a party for my boys this past weekend at the Little Gym. I had called beforehand to ask about tipping, and was told by the director that tips normally range from $20-$50 per person. I had two people at my party that did an amazing job, and I tipped $25 each.

 

[KarenC]

My daughter worked as a Birthday Party leader at our park district community center. She and a co-worker would lead parties of up to 40 kids for less pay ($8 hr) than she makes babysitting a single family ($10 hr). Sometimes people would tip $10 to $20, and the costs of these parties is comparable to what the OP paid at My Gym. The park district decided that accepting tips violated the Illinois Gift Ban act, so the Bday party leaders weren't able to accept tips.

 

[aprilgail2]

My daughters past bday parties have had 2 helpers and I gave them 20.00 each.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Our oldest ds 17 works at the bowling alley and he does parties besides being a coach. He only gets paid minimum, like $6 or whatever it is. There are usually 2 teens assigned to each party. He has to do all the bowling, they get shoes, food orders, do presents, not to open, just to move and store in party room, has to serve food etc. Sometimes he works really hard and gets 0, that was from someone we knew who abused his wife, most times if one gets the tip, they must split it equally. It usually is $10-$20 each. He likes the adults who get drunk because they give him $50 plus tips, He did get a $50 the other week. Also if some little "angel" happens to kick my ds in a not so nice place while they are bowling, he is always assured of a good tip