Shocking! Discover the outrageous cost one host demanded from party guests

When it comes to celebrating milestones and special occasions, Australians are known for their love of a good party. From backyard barbecues to elaborate dinners, we cherish the chance to gather with friends and family, share stories, and create memories. But what happens when the cost of attending these celebrations becomes a barrier to participation?


Recently, a story surfaced that left many of us at the Seniors Discount Club shaking our heads in disbelief. A party guest was left horrified after receiving an invitation to a friend's birthday celebration that came with an extortionate price tag. The host had the audacity to charge friends a whopping $499 to attend, with any plus-ones priced at an additional $250. This incident has sparked a conversation about the etiquette and expectations surrounding party invitations and the costs involved.


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The birthday invite included some prices, which raised people's eyebrows. Image Credit: Reddit/maricvz


The invitation, which was shared on Reddit, revealed that the birthday bash was scheduled for a Monday evening, from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. The steep entry fee left invitees stunned and confused, especially considering the event's short duration. The host, who had recently been elected to city council and purchased a new home, seemed to think this extravagant charge was justified.


In a follow-up comment, the invitee explained that their partner had previously supported the host's political campaign by offering private spaces for events and meetings. However, when the host requested to use the space again for the birthday event and was questioned about where the contributions would be going, they declined to disclose any details. As a result, the partner decided not to offer their venue for the celebration.

The situation escalated when the disgruntled invitee posted about the invitation online, expressing their dismay at the exorbitant cost and the lack of transparency. The event was eventually moved to a downtown pub, but the damage was done. Many speculated that the birthday party was a guise for a political fundraiser, although the original poster insisted that was not the case.

This story is reminiscent of another incident last year, where a man attended a 40th birthday dinner and was later billed an eye-watering $1,100 for his and his wife's meal. The couple had expected to pay for their own dinner, but were shocked when the host's wife paid the bill and then sent out invoices for an even split of the total cost.


These tales of costly celebrations raise important questions about social norms and the pressures that come with them. As seniors, we've seen our fair share of parties and understand that hosting can be expensive. However, there's a line between covering costs and taking advantage of guests' generosity.

So, dear members, have you ever encountered a situation where you were asked to pay an unexpected amount to attend a party? How did you handle it? And what do you think is a reasonable contribution when it comes to sharing the costs of a celebration?
Key Takeaways

  • A woman was shocked to receive a birthday party invitation from a friend demanding a payment of $499 to attend, with additional guests costing $250 each.
  • The expensive invitation led to speculation that the birthday event might be doubling as a political fundraiser, especially given the host's recent election to city council.
  • The party, initially planned to be held at a private venue offered by the invitee's partner, was moved to a public pub downtown after the host declined to disclose where the contributions would go.
  • The story ignited discussion about the appropriateness of charging for attendance at personal celebrations, with users sharing similar experiences of unexpectedly high costs associated with events.
Let's open up the discussion in the comments below. Share your experiences and thoughts on the etiquette of party costs. After all, we're all here to support each other and ensure that our golden years are filled with joyous, not costly, celebrations.
 

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If I was invited to a party & had to pay for my own meal, then I would accept the invitation. But, being asked to pay almost $500.00, then I would decline the invitation.
Come on……. That amount of money for each guest is just rediculous. That’s like a couple of weeks grocery cost. I think I would take a step back from this “friend”.
 
Got better things to spend my money on. No way would I be giving somebody that kind of money to attend their Birthday Party.
 
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Reactions: Macarj and PattiB
Gee. I can stop the guilt trip now.
In keeping with his wishes, I held a gathering rather than a formal funeral to say goodbye to my John.
Neither of us have ever drunk alcohol, so I supplied soft drinks, tea/coffee and food platters.
If they wanted alcohol, I showed them the way to the bar, and there were no dramas.
We did not want it to be an excuse for a booze up, and there was a good vibe during the event.
I would never even consider attending a snooty birthday party regardless of who is being honoured. I'm surprised the birthday person didn't send a list of preferred gifts as well.
 

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