kid birthday party etiquette?

[GreyhoundsRUs]

That's akin to my BIL/SIL putting a Dyson and a Le Cruset Dutch Oven on their baby registry (which they recently did).

Maybe the dutch oven was going to double as a bath for when the baby was little

Crazy, crazy people. I would just say not to go. If they are people you see a lot, go with what was suggested - get a small something for the girl like a book or gardening gloves for when you see them next. Yuck - it's more work than fun, which is a big "STAY AWAY" red flag IMHO

[Thirteen]

A big gigantic toy that lights up, plays music, etc.
Sounds good to me. *snicker*
In all seriousness - where I grew up, this would not fly. How rude of her!

[moonlight]

Maybe the dutch oven was going to double as a bath for when the baby was little

Crazy, crazy people. I would just say not to go. If they are people you see a lot, go with what was suggested - get a small something for the girl like a book or gardening gloves for when you see them next. Yuck - it's more work than fun, which is a big "STAY AWAY" red flag IMHO

This is the part that bugs me. She isn't taking into consideration what she is really asking me to do. I couldn't see myself in a thousand years asking another mom to go through all this trouble. On that note she emailed again today...

In addition to reminding us to bring food she wants us to remind her to take pictures or to just takes pictures for her (and forward them to her) so that she has some pics from the party. She says there will be lots of kids so she will put on a kid movie for them and also asked us to bring our own outside toys for the kids to play with. She summed it all up by 'reminding' us she has a big front and back yard and the kids will have plenty of room to play with outside toys we bring. If I've got this straight she wants me to:
1. Go to HER plant nursery and buy plants
2. Bring outside toy(s)
3. Take pictures of the day and then email them to her
4. Bring food and hope that it won't offend her diet restrictions

[scrub-jay]

A big gigantic toy that lights up, plays music, etc.
Sounds good to me. *snicker*
In all seriousness - where I grew up, this would not fly. How rude of her!

No...I think it should be one of those fake vacuum cleaner things, you know, the one that makes popping noises when pushed?

[SuzySunshine]

If I've got this straight she wants me to:
1. Go to HER plant nursery and buy plants
2. Bring outside toy(s)
3. Take pictures of the day and then email them to her
4. Bring food and hope that it won't offend her diet restrictions

Wow! I would totally not go or send a gift or anything. If she wants the kids to play outside the borrow or rent toys if she doesn't have enough. That is way more work then any GUEST should have to go through to go to a party.

[Meenah]

Wow, I don't even know what to say, but I do like GMW's advice! While Pollyanna's advice is probably the better idea, I would hope I could follow GMW's!!!!!!

I wouldn't go, but mail to the child an absolutely huge, outrageous, space-consuming TOY

[scrub-jay]

Wow! I would totally not go or send a gift or anything. If she wants the kids to play outside the borrow or rent toys if she doesn't have enough. That is way more work then any GUEST should have to go through to go to a party.

Kids are easy. Spend $15 and buy a bunch of bubble wands and let them blow bubbles. There are tons of games that can be adapted to outside... sidewalk chalk? hoola hoops? If you are HOSTING a party, you are required to HOST it.

[v-girl]

No way. What a nut!

[Vanquisher]

Post this on her e-vite:

"Wow, that sounds like so much fun. I am floored by your ingenuity. Next time ____ has a party, I'm definitely going to have my guests bring home decor items from the new Pottery Barn catalog so that I can decorate our living room. It's so much better than your child getting a bunch of childish plastic toys!". I wish I could make it, but unfortunately I have other obligations that day. It's too bad, because I have a great caterer in mind and a bounce house in my trunk that I could set up."


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[diggitydot]

Wow. I'd be declining that invitation and sending the kid a nice set of bagpipes or an accordion -- both of which are barely palatable even when played by professionals.

[GrayMatterWife]

double ditto that...

[Pollyanna]

You have two options here and they should be based on how important this particular moms group is. You will discover that there are lots of moms groups, some you will really click with and some that simply function as a way to get some adult conversation. If you really like most the ladies in this particular group then you should go bring something like I mentioned and snark with the other mommies that are like, "seriously, I cannot believe that invitation". If this is group of ladies is just a way to get some other mommy interaction then realize that the group as a whole will likely begin to bug the heck out of you from here on out. In that case simply send your regrets with wishes for the mommy to have a beautiful garden in the future. Welcome to the world of kids parties and mommy politics

[DCJenn]

Wow.

Does that mean that rather than buy all of my own landscape plants I should have had the neighbors bring their assigned plant when I hosted First Thursday? Damn.

I wouldn't go. Is she someone that you'd ever hang out with? Like go on a girl date with? If not, then I'd move along.

Jenn

[moonlight]

Wow.

Does that mean that rather than buy all of my own landscape plants I should have had the neighbors bring their assigned plant when I hosted First Thursday? Damn.

I wouldn't go. Is she someone that you'd ever hang out with? Like go on a girl date with? If not, then I'd move along.

Jenn

No she is not. Not at all. At first when we met I thought we were friends, but as things progressed I realized she really really doesn't like me. I think it's the first time I've ever known this to happen to me since middle school. My invite came along with the other group email list. I didn't really want to go to start with, but all her crazy demands have pushed me to not go at all. Besides it's Mother's Day weekend and I think we are going to do something during that time anyways. It's a very new group and I really really like all the other moms in the group. I never paid attention before, but with this party she is really showing me that she wants to be treated like queen bee. I'm not going to fall in line here just because I was invited. Thanks girls, you've given me a little back bone today!

[diggitydot]

She's a user. Cut your losses and move on. 100% irredeemable.