My goodness.
I understnad in this age of having ‘Insta’ worthy parties and settings etc but to charge people? Yeah, kinda tacky. If you can’t afford the aesthetic tou want, change your expectations. It is supposed to be a time to celebrate the pending arrival, not an Instagram photo shoot. ❤️

Not at all. This is ridiculous and very inconsiderate of people’s finances. I would reply that you would love to come but simply can’t afford that and send a gift instead. Imagine if these same friends organise the Hen’s night etc. What ever happened to a party at home and bring a plate? I don’t even like gift registers.

They are the ones being unreasonable as you have to take into account everyone elses circumstances. As others said dont go and either tell them why or just say sorry you’re busy but give a gift at another time if you want to. They seem very in their own world .

i would not go in this day and age we all have to watch our budget what happened to baby showers at home id buy her small gift , and again when she gets married

It sounds like the mum to be is going a bit over board and expecting a little much. Just because she has expensive tastes, doesn’t mean that all her friends and family are going to be able to accommodate them. She honestly should be thankful for what she gets and if she is having such an expensive shower, she shouldn’t expect gifts on top (which is kind of the point). I had mine in my own home with a nice cake and didn’t charge guests anything. I even did all the cooking myself. You can’t have everything.

I wouldn’t go, I’d buy a gift and visit the mum to be before the shower and explain “I’m busy that day” but wanted to bring you a gift and my best wishes for a great day!

I wouldn’t attend a wedding let alone a baby shower if I was asked to pay $140. Celebrations should be about sharing joy, not placing financial pressure on guests. I think it can quickly turn this happy occasion into an obligation rather than a genuine, heartfelt celebration shared with loved ones for some of the people invited.

This is unreasonable, but I suspect that someone who doesn’t have a tight budget has just gotten overexcited and not thought about anything except making mum to be feel great. Do you know the organisers well enough to express this concern to them privately? I would never have expected anything like this for myself.

Hell no!

She’s not being unreasonable at all. With the high cost of living, added fees, gifts, travel, and a wedding still to come, it’s understandable to feel pressured. Celebrations should be inclusive and joyful, not financially stressful. I suspect many guests feel the same way.

I don’t think it is unreasonable for you to think this way. I would be thinking this way if I was in your position. I think this cost is extreme and a little over the top for what is supposed to be a celebration. Not everyone can afford things like this. If the person organising wants the private room then they should be willing to pay for that themselves.

I don’t think your reaction is unresponsible. I would not be attending if that was the expectation. I would organise to catch up with the mum to be separately. I have always believed if you are hosting an event, you cover the costs – not the people you have invited to celebrate with you.

It would be a firm No as this is completely over the top. If you know your friend and they wouldn’t want others to feel under pressure, don’t feel obliged. Go and buy the gift you want her to have and make a time to catch up outside of this crazy Baby Shower. Fingers crossed these other friends of hers don’t mess up the hen’s night and you will get to attend that with her instead.

While it’s a vast shower I’m sorry but I would decline.
That money if I was to spend it, woukd be on a beautiful gift .
I think this is way over the top
And as you said a small group
Why the private room
Wow good luck and all the very best to this new mum
But money is better spent on the baby not private function room
Surly someone has a lovely entertainment area

It would be a hard no from me in ever organising or attending an event that cost so much money for a baby shower or any other life event. It really can exclude people from participating and attending events. There is never a need for big and expensive events for these life celebrations. It is important to be inclusive and ensure everyone can attend and celebrate what is most important.

Why do you have to pay to attend a baby shower in a private room in a hotel, when the baby shower can be held in a park or someones backyard or house. I know things are getting expensive now days but with how the cost of living is shouldn’t someone mention it to the people organising the baby shower letting them know it’s a bit out of reach for some people. If they change where it’s held let them know you can afford a better gift for the bub

Wow, I wonder if the Mum to be knows all the details. Maybe it’s like a hens where the friends/bridesmaids organise it without the person knowing? I feel like the $80 seems quite high but not the $60 room hire or present on top of that. It would cost minimum $140 to attend and that’s without a present. That is crazy especially with current cost of living. Most baby showers I attend you just bring a gift. You don’t have to pay room hire or for your food.