Mums spark fury by asking parents to TIP for kids’ birthday parties & demanding they ‘stay at home if you can’t pay’
YOU’RE planning a fun-filled day for your child at a birthday party, only to be hit with an unexpected request.
No, it’s not for RSVPs or dietary preferences – this time, it’s for cash.
A growing number of parents are encountering something surprising on party invitations: a request for tips.
From invitations with subtle “tipping encouraged” notes to outright instructions asking for cash contributions towards party expenses, this new trend has sparked some serious debate.
While some shrug it off as a modern-day practicality, others find it, well, a bit inappropriate.
Professional baker Victoria, known as ‘victoriascakes343’ on Instagram, shared a video asking her 41,000 followers for their thoughts.
She captioned it: “What do you think about tipping parents at birthday parties? Let’s decorate a slab cake and talk about it.”
Victoria explained that she designs cakes for parents hosting birthday parties for their little ones.
The baker revealed that she has seen parents asking for tips at their birthday parties, suggesting that if “you’re not giving at least ten dollars, you should not bring your child.”
Although Victoria says she does “not personally feel” that way, she has seen it happen at least three times.
She explained that she often sees a “little explanation” saying, “tipping is encouraged if you bring your child and they plan to eat and play.”
Victoria also noted other examples, including: “Please send along cash with your child for the tip bucket to go towards party expenses.”
She then asked her 41,000 followers how they felt about this trend, before expressing her own opinion: “I think that’s not appropriate.”
The video received over 33,000 likes, with many people rushing to the comments section to share their thoughts – and many were in uproar over the idea.
One person wrote: “We are not going to this party.”
A second said: “Don’t throw the party if you can’t afford it.”
A third commented: “If I’m bringing a tip, then we’re not bringing a present.”
Someone else echoed: “If I’m bringing a tip, then we’re not bringing a present.”
Another added: “If you can’t afford to throw a party, don’t! Just do a family thing.”
An Instagram user also commented: “I think that’s tacky.”
Should you invite the whole class to your child's birthday?
School mums are facing a new dilemma when it comes to their children’s birthday parties.
According to a recent discussion, inviting the entire class to a birthday party has become a contentious issue.
Some mums argue that it’s the polite thing to do, ensuring no child feels left out.
However, others believe that inviting the whole class can be overwhelming and unnecessary, especially if your child isn’t close to everyone.
Here are some tips to navigate this tricky situation:
- Set Clear Boundaries: Decide on a reasonable number of guests and stick to it.
- Invite Close Friends: Focus on inviting your child’s closest friends to keep the party manageable and meaningful.
- Consider a Small Gathering: Opt for a smaller, more intimate celebration if a large party isn’t feasible.
- Communicate with Other Parents: Have an open conversation with other parents to understand their views and preferences.
- Alternative Celebrations: Consider alternative ways to celebrate, such as a special day out with just a few friends.