https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 26 Oct 2026 04:24:33 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ftm-birthday-party-etiquette#post-1756938 Mon, 14 Jul 2014 10:32:01 +0000 jedeve 1756938@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think you are fine not buying tickets. If it was a second grade party that was really for the kids that would be different. But if I was bringing an older kid to a first birthday party I wouldn't expect the host to entertain them. I feel like first birthday parties are more about the parents surviving the first year! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ftm-birthday-party-etiquette#post-1756862 Mon, 14 Jul 2014 09:59:30 +0000 sapphire 1756862@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think I'd just warn people in the invites or in an email "there will be plenty of food and fun to share, but if your LO would like to take a spin on the rides, I suggest bringing $5"<br /> Whether it is "expected" or not that you pay, I think it's absurd that you would feel forced into spending money that you don't have. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ftm-birthday-party-etiquette#post-1756542 Mon, 14 Jul 2014 08:26:12 +0000 looch 1756542@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is a tough one, I mean, I'd accept tickets if you handed them to me, but I'd also be fine with paying for them if my son insisted on going on a ride or playing a game.</p> <p>eta: if this was me, having a party at this location, I'd have bought tickets for the kids only. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ftm-birthday-party-etiquette#post-1756504 Mon, 14 Jul 2014 08:05:31 +0000 ZombieBullfrogHoller 1756504@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thank you ALL for your replies!! I'm going to have to think about this now. Hmmm. :P</p> <p>I think I will try and buy tickets if able, but, like previously mentioned, maybe only for the kids in attendance. I don't foresee there being many, just cousin's children and the like. So there may be, let's say 10 kids between 1-7. </p> <p>How would I go about distributing tickets to them? If I did $3 per kid that'd be around $30 in tickets. A friend of mine recently had a party there for her 3 year old son and she was able to buy tickets for everyone (she paid like $200 in tickets) and had them in pre-made thank you cards which I thought was neat, but if not everyone is getting one I don't think that'd work well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ftm-birthday-party-etiquette#post-1756241 Sun, 13 Jul 2014 23:07:30 +0000 hummusgirl 1756241@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wouldn't mind paying my own way but it would be nice to have a heads up beforehand, either on the invite or through word of mouth. Just like, I'm totally cool with cash bars at a wedding but like to know in advance so I can have cash on hand. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ftm-birthday-party-etiquette#post-1756215 Sun, 13 Jul 2014 22:32:51 +0000 birdofafeather 1756215@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i would provide some other sort of activity and not ride tickets if i couldn't afford it. and i would ONLY buy tickets for the kids regardless. i don't need to pay for adults to ride rides. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ftm-birthday-party-etiquette#post-1756144 Sun, 13 Jul 2014 21:33:53 +0000 tysonja 1756144@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>for a bday party as you described I would not expect to have tickets given to me at the party!</p> <p>bring some bubbles for the kids to play with, and if older kids want to try a ride, their parents can buy them a ticket. </p> <p>if I were presented with free tickets at a party like this I'd definitely be surprised and it would be a fun extra, that's all! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ftm-birthday-party-etiquette#post-1756140 Sun, 13 Jul 2014 21:32:23 +0000 Corduroy 1756140@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If your family stays in the party area and isn't off riding rides during the party I don't see any reason to provide tickets. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ftm-birthday-party-etiquette#post-1756133 Sun, 13 Jul 2014 21:28:38 +0000 wonderstruck 1756133@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@locavore_mama: "If I have a party at home am I expected to rent a bounce house and hire a balloon artist, etc?"</p> <p>No, of course not...but if you did get a bounce house or a balloon artist, you wouldn't be charging the kids for it, right? That's how I see this. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ftm-birthday-party-etiquette#post-1756118 Sun, 13 Jul 2014 21:19:44 +0000 californiadreams 1756118@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wouldn't think twice about having to buy the tickets as a guest nor would I expect you too. Beyond food I normally see anything else as a bonus. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ftm-birthday-party-etiquette#post-1756115 Sun, 13 Jul 2014 21:17:42 +0000 jessibear 1756115@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: Interesting. I can understand providing entertainment. I personally just consider it more of an "extra" to the event and wouldn't want a friend or family member to stretch themselves financially for my sake, whether I was aware it was a stretch or not. I also wouldn't want someone to not have a party because they can't avoid additional activities. Maybe I'll have different views and experiences as my daughter gets older, but I also live in an area where most people are just struggling to live paycheck to paycheck, so parties tend to be more backyard affairs and people/kids entertain each other. Maybe not a regional difference as much as a socioeconomic difference. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ftm-birthday-party-etiquette#post-1756106 Sun, 13 Jul 2014 21:15:16 +0000 Chuckles 1756106@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it would be nice to have some tickets for just the kids but not totally necessary. As a guest, I would expect at least a few tickets to be provided for the kids, but I think I would actually be surprised if there were tickets for the adults, too. That, to me, is totally not necessary. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ftm-birthday-party-etiquette#post-1756097 Sun, 13 Jul 2014 21:09:30 +0000 regberadaisy 1756097@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ZombieBullfrogHoller: If I were coming I would NOT be expected to be presented with tickets for rides. I'm coming to celebrate your child's birthday; not get free rides to the amusement park.</p> <p>If it's not in the budget then don't provide ticket booklets.</p> <p>If I have a party at home am I expected to rent a bounce house and hire a balloon artist, etc?<br /> The only birthday parties wehre I have attended where this is PAID entertainment provided or specific entertainment like that are for older kids. It's a first birthday party! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ftm-birthday-party-etiquette#post-1756068 Sun, 13 Jul 2014 20:53:36 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 1756068@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jessibear: I have attended kid parties in 3 states that cross two US regions and the host always provides entertainment whether DIY or part of the venue. For instance tokens are given to kids at an arcade party/ Chuck E Cheese or the costs of participating at a trampoline place or if it's bead making at the mall are picked up by the hosts. </p> <p>I wouldn't know my friends' and family's financial situation that intimately to know that entertainment wouldn't be covered at a party they hosted. As others have said I wouldn't mind spending the $5, however, a heads up is always appreciated. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ftm-birthday-party-etiquette#post-1755985 Sun, 13 Jul 2014 20:06:48 +0000 wonderstruck 1755985@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you're hosting a party at an amusement park, I do feel that as the host it's your responsibility to provide the kids with some tickets - sorry! Particularly when you're not paying anything for the pavilion or any sort of entrance fee. I don't think everyone needs a ticket booklet, it seems that one per family would suffice, or you could just buy them for the kids. If you can't afford to do that I would just have it at a regular park.</p> <p>For me, the $5 wouldn't be a big deal - but I know that wouldn't be the case for all of my friends and family, and I would hate for anyone to have to decline, or attend and their kid not be able to do rides while all of the others are having fun on them, because money is tight for their family. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ftm-birthday-party-etiquette#post-1755916 Sun, 13 Jul 2014 19:13:32 +0000 jessibear 1755916@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@blackbird: +1 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ftm-birthday-party-etiquette#post-1755906 Sun, 13 Jul 2014 19:08:04 +0000 blackbird 1755906@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Meh I don't think it's necessary at all. In fact, if I knew the host was tight on money to pay rent and buy food, I would feel guilty. Priorities. Don't forget them :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ftm-birthday-party-etiquette#post-1755875 Sun, 13 Jul 2014 18:53:27 +0000 Foodnerd81 1755875@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ZombieBullfrogHoller: I think buying tickets for just the kids would be nice, but not totally necessary. Buying for everyone is definitely not necessary. I'm with @mae:, if I was invited and had to spend $5, I would not care. I actually feel like if you bought a whole bunch of tickets many would go unused since not everyone would use them probably. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ftm-birthday-party-etiquette#post-1755860 Sun, 13 Jul 2014 18:43:36 +0000 jessibear 1755860@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Is this maybe more regional? I would never expect the host of a birthday party to pay for our ride tickets or really anything beyond providing something to eat. I ESPECIALLY would not want them to provide something that was a strain financially, I would feel awkward. I say do what you can easily manage financially and don't spend a second feeling bad that it's not "enough," people are there to celebrate your child, not receive something in return. But I feel the same way about party favors. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ftm-birthday-party-etiquette#post-1755835 Sun, 13 Jul 2014 18:19:04 +0000 Mae 1755835@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If I was invited to a birthday party and had to buy a $5 book of tickets for games... I would not care at all. I don't know the etiquette of it, but I feel like providing food is enough. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ftm-birthday-party-etiquette#post-1755825 Sun, 13 Jul 2014 18:13:09 +0000 Boogs 1755825@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would see if you could maybe get a group discount price to give just the kids some tickets. Parents want some or kids want more their parents can pay. Alternatively, can you have your party at another free place with free entertainment like at a local park maybe? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ftm-birthday-party-etiquette#post-1755821 Sun, 13 Jul 2014 18:10:25 +0000 LemonLong 1755821@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it usually is expected for the host to provide entertainment or pay any costs associated with the venue. Can you provide your own entertainment? Something inexpensive like bubbles, relay races, water balloons, etc? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ftm-birthday-party-etiquette#post-1755724 Sun, 13 Jul 2014 16:42:07 +0000 Kemma 1755724@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ZombieBullfrogHoller: can you talk with staff at the amusement park about giving you some kind of discount on the tickets? Otherwise I'm like you, it would never occur to me to buy everybody ride tickets! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ftm-birthday-party-etiquette#post-1755692 Sun, 13 Jul 2014 16:28:00 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 1755692@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Does the amusement park have any free rides? I think there is am expectation for the host to provide the entertainment especially for the kids. But, if your budget doesn't allow for it don't force it. Perhaps you can buy a ride ticket just for the kids. Each kid can get on one ride or two. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ftm-birthday-party-etiquette#post-1755690 Sun, 13 Jul 2014 16:26:52 +0000 MrsH 1755690@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ZombieBullfrogHoller: I think just giving tickets to the kids is fine. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ftm-birthday-party-etiquette#post-1755681 Sun, 13 Jul 2014 16:16:23 +0000 ZombieBullfrogHoller 1755681@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@swedishfish: If his birthday wasn't in the summer and I was working both my jobs and could afford it, I would be more than happy to! I wonder if it would acceptable to just do like $3 in tickets for any of the kids that come. I may be able to swing that, versus every person. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ftm-birthday-party-etiquette#post-1755669 Sun, 13 Jul 2014 16:08:12 +0000 swedishfish 1755669@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it would be a nice gesture but if you can't afford it then it's a moot point. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ftm-birthday-party-etiquette#post-1755664 Sun, 13 Jul 2014 16:06:03 +0000 ZombieBullfrogHoller 1755664@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Will there ever be an end to feeling like I have no idea what the hell I'm doing? haha. What have I gotten myself into?</p> <p>LO is turning 1 in exactly one month! Aaaah. So we've been planning a birthday party for him with family and close friends. We decided to reserve a picnic pavilion at a local amusement park. One of the deciding factors of this was that reserving the pavilion is *free* (score) and admission to the amusement park is also free (double score!). You can purchase books of tickets to ride rides and play games and so forth.</p> <p>So my budget is seriously weak. We're struggling to come up with money to meet rent, our bills and just food for this shindig. Thus imagine my panic when a friend of mine mentioned that I was expected to buy everyone tickets for rides/games. I had no idea. None. Kids parties are a completely new scene for me. :S</p> <p>Is this a legit expectation? I'm not sure how I'm going to swing with buy $5 books of tickets for everyone. Admission to the park is free and I plan to feed everyone. I did the whole controversial "no gifts" request, too (which I also had no idea was an issue until doing it). :P </p>