party advice please

morning all!

next month we have Hs 40th and Connies 1st birthday on the same weekend. we have v little money but want to have a party so i'm thinking a garden party/bbq. However I really can't afford to buy loads of meat/alcohol! Would it be rude to ask people to bring their own booze/meat to a birthday party? I'll do salads and make a cake and a few desserts but i can't do much more. WWYD?

It's not rude. We never turn up at a BBQ without beers & steak- H insists! Have you thought about shopping in Aldi if there's one nearby? My sister always does her BBQ shopping there and it's so cheap compared to the big chain supermarkets.

WhiteSparkles:

It's not rude. We never turn up at a BBQ without beers & steak- H insists! Have you thought about shopping in Aldi if there's one nearby? My sister always does her BBQ shopping there and it's so cheap compared to the big chain supermarkets.

thanks WS - I will be shopping for the party bits in aldi! I'll get a few bits and pieces but even at aldi prices i can't afford to feed 40-odd people!

loobyg:

thanks WS - I will be shopping for the party bits in aldi! I'll get a few bits and pieces but even at aldi prices i can't afford to feed 40-odd people!

It might sound daft but if you can't afford to feed 40 odd people why invite that many? Why not invite less and then you could afford it? Although I think BYOB is acceptable

I wouldn't think it's rude. I think it's quite normal to bring drinks and food to a BBQ. As long as people know beforehand. We do BBQ parties and always ask people to bring their favourite drinks and meat (otherwise you end up either buying umpteen different things, not catering for veggies or only having sausages!)

loobyg:

even at aldi prices i can't afford to feed 40-odd people!

That's a lot of mouths to feed I'd just mention that you'd like them to bring their own meat/alcohol, it won't be a problem I'm sure.

Do you or a friend have a Costco card? Would make the meat a lot cheaper if you could go there.

TBH we do always take booze to friend's BBQs but never really meat. This may be just how it tends to work in our group of friends though.

I don't think it's a problem asking people to bring things but I would TRY and get enough for people to have say one burger just in case....

We always take our own booze to a bbq and what usually happens is whoever is hosting the bbq will go out and get enough meat for everyone and then we would all chip in to cover the cost but we never have that many people.

I don't think its a problem asking everyone to bring something along.

Pittabre:

It might sound daft but if you can't afford to feed 40 odd people why invite that many?

that is the lower limit! Because its a 'joint' party we have Hs a few of Hs friends (all of whome are married with a few kids apiece) then a few of connie's 'friends' from toddler group (most of whom will be bringing 2 parents plus a sibling) plus the inescapable family invites!

Thanks for your input everyone - I've sent out invites with 'bring your own booze/meat' at the bottom, our friends and family know that we're living only on Hs wage which (as he is self employed) isn't always a lot so they should understand! I'll go to aldi and get as much meat as we can afford too as well as salads, veggie kebabs etc too. Going to go to the local farm shop and see if they'll do me a deal too.

Hepburn: I no longer have a costco card plus the nearest one is so far i may as well shop at waitrose!

loobyg:

Pittabre:

It might sound daft but if you can't afford to feed 40 odd people why invite that many?

that is the lower limit! Because its a 'joint' party we have Hs a few of Hs friends (all of whome are married with a few kids apiece) then a few of connie's 'friends' from toddler group (most of whom will be bringing 2 parents plus a sibling) plus the inescapable family invites!

Show off I knew there was a plus side to being anti-social Just don't invite Connie's friends she won't know and in years to come point at pictures of random people and say they were your friends

Not rude at all. Its manners in our group of friends for eveyone to bring something to the party, and we always bring our own booze!  let me know if i can help any!! Wish I was closer! xx

I'd never go without booze and meat. Have you thought of farmfoods? They've normally got offers on like 50 burgers for £3 and stuff? They might not be the best quality but people aren't too fussed at bbqs

Enjoy x