Ask:
OK so we are having our 3rd annual Memorial Day picnic.
The first year was good, then the 2nd year we adding a pig roast (& ran out of food and beer at the end) and now we've added a band.
Frugalness aside- would you pay $10 to eat and drink and be entertained all day?
We've got a mini kiddie bounce for the kids, volleyball, quoits, horseshoes, the pig, 2 kegs, burgers/dogs, corn, clams, salads, etc. etc.
Alot of our friends chip in such as bringing all the clams (we had 1200 last yr) and buying one of the kegs or whatever, but with the rest of the cost, my dh wants to ask for $10 per adult to recoup some of the cost. What do you think?
A friend of ours said "where else can you go all day and drink/eat all you want for $10"
but I just don't know.
We have this party every year to catch up with all our friends and we are the only ones with a big enough yard for all this plus to park everyone.
Maybe $10 per family??
Answer:
Hummmm.....how are you going to ask for this?? On the invitations?? Or have the invites already gone out??
If people are already planning on attending and then you add " oh that'll be $10" they might be a little offended. KWIM??
BUT....if there is NOT already an expectation of it being "free"....then I say I agree with your friend...where else can you eat and drink all you want for $10.
However, if they are bringing food, I don't know if I could charge them.
Hope I made some sense here.....
Maybe you can put out a "donation" bucket or something....just a thought.
Answer:
By the way, sounds like a good time!! Have Lots of FUN!! Whatever you decide!!
Answer:
Nope. I wouldn't pay for it. It sounds to be just too much stuff. I like my picnics a bit smaller and simplier. That is just me.
Plus, if I was bringing food, I would be a bit insulted.
Answer:
I don't know. I do agree, where can you go for a day of fun for $10? but I think I'd feel funny asking people to pay to come to a party that I'm throwing. Why not just scale it down a little bit? If everyone brings something like you said they do and this party is to catch up with friends, why do you need a band? The band might make it so you can't hear each other talk not to mention, I'm sure it's costing a smll fortune. I think I'd just go without a few things before I'd ask guests for money
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I don't know, that's a tough one, especially if some people bring food and help with the keg. I like Bucsnpats idea of a donation bucket. Or, you could ask for everyone to bring a side dish, drinks etc. to help defray costs.
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We did a mass emailing of invitations indicating every extra and to please bring a covered dish or h'orsedouvres and/or $10 donation appreciated-that way it's not mandatory but would be great! My dh has been doing quite a few side jobs to pay for this, it is a small fortune, but definitely a great time. Of course my good time starts when the kids go to bed as soon as it gets dark! The band is free, dh worked on the lead singers chevelle.
I'm really just making some desserts and kid-friendly things. The only other expenses are the pig, roaster, beer, burgers/dogs and paper products. Thanks for your input!!
Answer:
We have friends who put on a pig roast every year. First it started out free and was a good size gathering. Then everyone started bringing friends and friends of friends of friends, got to the point where they didnt know some of the people there, and everything got expensive, so they started charging $5 per person. Nobody had a problem paying it. When you paid, you got a wrist band (which she got from oriental trading - cheap), that way she knew who paid and if anyone snuck in. Its worked out well for her. $10 per person is reasonable too if theyre going to be there all day eating and drinking. If theyre just showing up for a burger and one beer, then no. Have fun!!!!!!!!
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i like the donation. We do a fish boil every year at my brother's and we pass around a plastic cup that everyone throws in a few bucks to help pay for everything. If you don't have the extra money then it doesn't single you out or anything and then you don't lose out on any of the fun either.
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I have six kids....a picnic with them, my dh and myself would cost us $80. We definitely would not attend. I see your point 100%, but I think that it just part of hosting such an event. Now, $10 a family and bring a dish to share...THIS we would do!!