Too. Many. Babies.

[Angel Chicken]

Every one I know is having a kid.

My best friend's daughter is having a baby boy.
Another co-worker's wife is having a baby girl.
My sister is having a baby boy.

all three of these people have volunteered me to be the shower planner.

I'm broke. I have a hellish credit card to pay off. I can't afford to spend hundreds on parties.

*Sigh*

Why do they volunteer me? I know I throw some kick ass parties, but come ON! I can't do them all!

/rant

 

[noludoru]

Umm.... don't you just plan the party and they pay?

 

[Dizzy]

Every one I know is having a kid.

Are you pregggggers??!! :yikes:

i didn't know.




ETA.

Ok, you aren't preggers but I NEED GLASSES.

Moving on, nothing to see here.

 

[Angel Chicken]

Umm.... don't you just plan the party and they pay?

Nope, never had anyone do that... I plan, buy the food, decorations, music, games... EVERYTHING is up to me.

I hope they aren't expecting something extravagant, I just can't afford it.

 

[PoodleMommy]

i would just be honest and upfront about the whole thing.

tell them that while you enjoy planning parties you just dont have the financial means to do it right now... if they would like to bankroll the event you would be happy to plan if for them, otherwise they will have to look elsewhere this time.

good luck

 

[~Jessie~]

No wonder everyone wants you to throw their parties... you're good at it, AND you pay for them!

Seriously, why don't you explain to them that you can't afford to do them? It's completely reasonable.

 

[Angel Chicken]

Wow, it's not normal for one to pay for the party?

Good news though, Wilma called everyone and said if they can fork up some moolah, then I can throw the party. We'll do one for 2 of the people, then I'll plan my sister's for later down the road.

 

[happyhound]

Wow, it's not normal for one to pay for the party?

Good news though, Wilma called everyone and said if they can fork up some moolah, then I can throw the party. We'll do one for 2 of the people, then I'll plan my sister's for later down the road.

I think it is normal for whoever is hosting the party to pay for it.

But I think expecting you to pay for 3 parties so close together is expecting way too much from you -- regardless of if you can afford it now or not. But if you are willing to pay some, maybe you can explain you are hosting a total of 3 showers and will be willing to pay for a percentage of each shower (assuming they don't want to spend an exorbant amount of money on it).

Could also just decline to host entirely or do host/co-host to defray the costs.

Also, I think it is a major etiquette faux pas to volunteer you for the position. The host should volunteer themself!

 

[Dreeza]

hmm...if they ASK you, i think they should be offering to pay...

if you threw a party for them/you suggested it, i think then its more acceptable that you'd pay...

I would def ask them to help out...thats ridiculous for them to expect that from you!!

 

[chanda]

just tell them that you can help them plan some kick ass party but they have to shoulder the expenses....

 

[ACooper]

Also, I think it is a major etiquette faux pas to volunteer you for the position. The host should volunteer themself!

Yep, absolutely right.

And yes, it is completely NORMAL for the host (you) to pay for the shower........food, decorations, etc.. BUT it's normally because it is for someone VERY close to your heart and YOU volunteered to do so, NOT because YOU were volunteered by them or someone else, LOL

Don't know about the other two, but the one for your sister sounds like a shower YOU should throw.........perhaps even in a co-host with your mother.

 

[bubbatd]

Can you combine the three ??? I personally can't believe what people pay today for showers !!! Or spend on them . ! Showers in my day were just fun get togethers , no high priced items ! I think that you are being used !!!

 

[zoe08]

It is normal for there to be several hosts...so you should have a couple other people helping out to pay for part. Then usually the hostesses go in together and get one of the bigger items they need. That is how I did both my sister's wedding and baby showers. I had about 3 other girls helping host the shower.

 

[sparks19]

the truth has nothing to hide... be HONEST with them.

Perhaps even call the mother of the mother to be.... perhaps they would be willing to help out.

I just could never imagine someone saying "here you are organizing my party and paying for it"

You have to be honest and truthful.

if they get mad because you are honest and say you can't afford to shoulder the cost.... then I wouldn't want to throw them a shower ANYWAY

My MIL decided she wanted to throw a baby shower for me.... I NEVER asked. As far as I was concerned I wasn't having a baby shower. I told hubby to tell her many times that it was not nessecary... she insisted and insisted that she pay for it... but I would NEVER have asked her to throw the shower and pay for it.

 

[puppydog]

I agree with everyone above. It is rude to ask you to throw it and pay for it.
What we did with my sister was, each guest was nominated a food or drink item to bring. My mother supplied tea and some cakes. I did two platters of finger foods and we didn't have those silly games. Those are just tacky and embarressing. We did the guess what is in the present game but that was it. It was actually a very nice party.

 

[Baxter'smybaby]

sounds like pot luck event to me--everyone brings a dish to pass, and a gift!

 

[Samantha's pet]

You can't ASK someone to throw you a baby shower! Thats just rude. Specifically b/c the host is uspposed to pay for it.

 

[sparks19]

sounds like pot luck event to me--everyone brings a dish to pass, and a gift!

OOOH now THAT is a good idea. I LOVE a good pot luck.

 

[Adrienne]

At my work my co-workers are doing a baby shower for me but we are going to do a bowling party. Everyone will pay 12$ for two hours of bowling, pop, and pizza. My friends will still be getting the invitations and gifts for the games we play but that way everyone can have a great time, you don't have to clean it up and it saves a ton of money.

 

[aarathi]

Please tell them why they spend money on unnecessary matters. Use the money for proper matter.