YOU’RE planning a fun-filled day for your child at a birthday party, only to be hit with an unexpected request.
No, it’s not for RSVPs or dietary preferences – this time, it’s for cash.
A growing number of parents are encountering something surprising on party invitations: a request for tips.
From invitations with subtle “tipping encouraged” notes to outright instructions asking for cash contributions towards party expenses, this new trend has sparked some serious debate.
While some shrug it off as a modern-day practicality, others find it, well, a bit inappropriate.
Professional baker Victoria, known as ‘victoriascakes343’ on Instagram, shared a video asking her 41,000 followers for their thoughts.
She captioned it: “What do you think about tipping parents at birthday parties? Let’s decorate a slab cake and talk about it.”
Victoria explained that she designs cakes for parents hosting birthday parties for their little ones.
The baker revealed that she has seen parents asking for tips at their birthday parties, suggesting that if “you’re not giving at least ten dollars, you should not bring your child.”
Although Victoria says she does “not personally feel” that way, she has seen it happen at least three times.
She explained that she often sees a “little explanation” saying, “tipping is encouraged if you bring your child and they plan to eat and play.”
Victoria also noted other examples, including: “Please send along cash with your child for the tip bucket to go towards party expenses.”
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”Teen Mum Fights Back: Ceiryn Rose’s Journey” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6360695171112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]She then asked her 41,000 followers how they felt about this trend, before expressing her own opinion: “I think that’s not appropriate.”
The video received over 33,000 likes, with many people rushing to the comments section to share their thoughts – and many were in uproar over the idea.
One person wrote: “We are not going to this party.”
A second said: “Don’t throw the party if you can’t afford it.”
A third commented: “If I’m bringing a tip, then we’re not bringing a present.”
Someone else echoed: “If I’m bringing a tip, then we’re not bringing a present.”
Another added: “If you can’t afford to throw a party, don’t! Just do a family thing.”
An Instagram user also commented: “I think that’s tacky.”