Birthday Invitation

Thats a tacky idea. You do not invite people somewhere and then ask them to pay for themselves. If you can`t afford it, don`t do it. Or ask his parents or someone really close to go in on a party with you 50/50.

If these are close friends and family that you want to invite, just explain to them the situation, and they should understand. Don`t invite anyone who could/would make you or your husband feel in any way uncomfortable because of the way you are going about the party. As long as your husband doesn`t pay for his meal, everything else should be just fine. Every year on my birthday, my friends and I go out to dinner. They pay for me but everyone else pays for themselves, and it works out perfectly as long as no one shorts you out on cash. Another thing is, when inviting them, call it a "get together" and explain to them that they must pay for themselves. If they say that can`t make it (some people won`t admit when they don`t have the money), and you think it is because they have to pay for themselves, then politely invite them over for cake afterwards. You could even have an afternoon lunch at a park that is free and have a BBQ. You can ask your guests to bring salads and such, while you supply the hotdogs and hamburgers =) Just a thought. Good luck!

I recently had a surprise 60th birthday party for my husband at a restaurant party room. The invitation said, Please join us for dinner to celebrate...I also added, Please no presents, just your presence. Dinner on your own. Dessert will be provided. Everyone came and had a good time and did not bring presents as directed. I think this venue is becoming more accepted. Who can afford it these days? What`s important is that the plan is SPELLED OUT IN ADVANCE. Then people are clear and comfortable and can make an informed decision. With 40 people, my bill would have been astronomical. I was able to pay for an Eastern Onion Telegram...a Santa Claus since it was December, and this was something that everyone, especially the kids, enjoyed, and cool decorations...life-size cardboard cut-outs of my husband when he was a kid that everyone got a kick out of, and blow horns. I served cake and ice cream after dinner. When someone else is footing the bill at a restaurant, people tend to order alcoholic beverages which can really run up the bill. No body seemed to mind the arrangement and wanted to be there for my husband. I thought my husband might not like the idea once he found out, but he was ok with it. Hope this helps!