Memorial Day cookout - charge guests for attending?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Inflation is through the roof. Would it be wrong these days to say charge $15 per family to attend our Memorial Day cookout. We will be serving good stuff like ribs, brisket, crab, etc. This stuff is no longer cheap. So why couldn’t you ask for something like $15 per family to help defray the cost? I mean where else could you go for $15 and feed your entire family, have to do zero food prep and cleanup, and leave zero tip? It’s a really good deal. What’s wrong asking for a little bit of help with outrageous grocery store prices these days?

I will go against the grain and say that it depends. If you are the one who hosts most of the time and these are good friends, I think it would be fine. I know my friends would be fine with it as well as offer to bring things. I would be fine if you asked me.

[Anonymous]

The $15 is a deal isn't a good argument.

If someone wants to pay $15 for an individual or family meal that's a choice for a specific thing. But a party is a social obligation, not a meal calculation. Very few people go to bbq parties for the food so it's not really part of the decision to say its a value - if they weren't at the party they'd be eating at home, not going to a restaurant.

Just do a sign-up potluck. Unless you're trying to make money on this, that should alleviate most of the burden.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Inflation is through the roof. Would it be wrong these days to say charge $15 per family to attend our Memorial Day cookout. We will be serving good stuff like ribs, brisket, crab, etc. This stuff is no longer cheap. So why couldn’t you ask for something like $15 per family to help defray the cost? I mean where else could you go for $15 and feed your entire family, have to do zero food prep and cleanup, and leave zero tip? It’s a really good deal. What’s wrong asking for a little bit of help with outrageous grocery store prices these days?

I will go against the grain and say that it depends. If you are the one who hosts most of the time and these are good friends, I think it would be fine. I know my friends would be fine with it as well as offer to bring things. I would be fine if you asked me.

Oh look, OP found another tacky cheapskate. You two can "party" together.

[Anonymous]

Lots of places you can go and for far better food than you are serving.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You cannot do this.

A single meal at chick fil A now runs almost $15. $15 for an entire family is an extraordinarily good deal, especially for way better food and alcohol. Name a single place in existence you could take a family for $15, stuff your face, and drink almost as much beer as you want.

not the point

[Anonymous]

You don't need crab at your Memorial Day cookout for the love. Just do burgers and dogs on the grill.

[Anonymous]

Is this a joke?

I would decline and cut you off permanently.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You don't need crab at your Memorial Day cookout for the love. Just do burgers and dogs on the grill.

this. if you can't afford it - don't serve crab and brisket.

[Anonymous]

Definitely not. Everyone we invite always asks what to bring. They usually bring the beer and sometimes dessert. I also now do smaller parties so i can do the brisket and tri tip etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lots of places you can go and for far better food than you are serving.

Name them and the price.

[Anonymous]

I'd provide burgers, dogs, buns, cheese slides, condiments, and lettuce/tomato/onion/pickle and make the online invite a signup where everyone can bring a drink and a side. Call it "taste of summer" and make it fun. If you're an alcohol-crowd, encourage people to bring alcohol.

[Anonymous]

If you hadn't already set it up like this (potluck or everyone chip in and I will do all of the work) I wouldn't ask folks now unless you know your audience will laugh and be like "girl you right!" and cashapp you the money. My people would but only you know if yours will receive it in the best way, pay and come eat and have fun without a bunch of drama.

[Anonymous]

$50/head minimum. You don’t want the poors coming.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Definitely not. Everyone we invite always asks what to bring. They usually bring the beer and sometimes dessert. I also now do smaller parties so i can do the brisket and tri tip etc.

I'm hosting a bbq on Friday and at least half the people attending have asked me what they can bring with no prompting or suggestion from me whatsoever. Just tell them to bring drinks or whatever you need.

[Anonymous]

Create a signupgenius sign up as your invitation.
Everyone who RSVP's yes must also sign up to bring a dessert or side dish--you can even specify a few like "potato salad" or "fruit salad" if you know there are specific things you will want there, but also leave a few more open ended "guest's choice" so guests can write in the comment section what they will bring.