My bf and I moved to a new city almost a year ago for school. His birthday is coming up and I want to host a little dinner for him. I wanted to invite some of his friends to a sushi restaurant (one of his favorite food). I’ll be inviting 2 childhood friend a couple of new friends he’s made, around 4-8 people, ik it’s a big difference but I’m just starting the planning aspect. Aside from his childhood friend I’ve only ever saw his new friends once or not at all. I wanted to reach out to them and ask them if they’re open to coming to his birthday dinner.
The thing is we’re all broke college students in our early 20s. I’m ok with buying the cake and paying for my bf and I but paying for all 8+ of us is not financially feasible whatsoever. House party is also not an option considering we’re all renting teeny apartments/rooms or dorming. Would it be weird if I sent out an invite stating that everyone will split the bill at the end minus the birthday boy?
So the question is would it be weird to invite them and say we’re all splitting the bill? Or should I just scrap the idea of a birthday party till I could afford it and actually be a host?
Thank you!
Comments
I’ve always assumed that if I am invited out to eat for a party like that, I will be paying for my own meal unless the host (or someone else) specifically states that they will be paying. I think you’d be safe just inviting them.
If you are inviting, you should pay. If you can’t afford that then maybe plan something different.
You can have dinner alone and then have a small party at home or something like that.
For birthdays with friends, we usually split the bill; except that everybody pays a little extra to pay for the cost of the birthday boy or birthday girl. If anyone in the group is not familiar with the restaurant, just let them know what the price range is for an entree, so they won’t be surprised when they go there.
If it’s at your house then yes, you should be paying for it cause you’re hosting. But if it’s at a restaurant, I wouldn’t really consider it hosting more like just planning the party. I go to birthday dinners with my friends all the time and we always split our portion plus the birthday girl’s meal. It’s unreasonable to assume the person who invites will be paying for it cause then no one will ever plan anything for anyone. Tbh I think they all would know you’re not covering dinner for everyone so you’re fine fine. But if ur worried you can include it in the text like
“Hi! I’m thinking of having a birthday dinner for (whoever) on (date/time/location/etc). I’ll take care of the planning, but the bill is going to be split depending on how many of us can make it. Let me know if you’re interested in joining!”
You should pay.
I would never invite people to a party and then expect them to pay. Maybe plan something you can afford.
You don’t host a party when you can’t afford to pay for every bit of it. Scale it back.
Just make sure to mention up front how you’re splitting the bill (each pay their own)
Edit: when you’re sending the invites, so they can decide they want to come or not
If you tell them you want to do a get together with them for his bday, you will cover the cake and decorations they know they need to pay so they can say yes or no.
I’m doing a bday I’m going to pay.
If I’m invited I’m not paying. If I’m invited and they tell me I take care of this and that then I know I need to pay myself