Ugh. It's an epidemic! Read this! http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/wayoflife/09/10/lw.pay.for.my.party/index.html
Now shake your head in disbelief.
I sure did shake my head. People are idiots 
I was watching Ace of Cakes last night, and they did an Alice in Wonderland cake -- huge cake table and then 4 or so large figures made out of gumpaste sitting around it, tea set, etc. So you know that cake was well of the $1000 minimum. Even I would charge $1000 for that cake, and mine would be terrible. Anyway, the cake was for an 11 year olds birthday! They showed the kid and her dad coming to pick up the cake, and when the cake is in the car, the dad says something like, yes, I told her there were other places we could get the cake, but it had to be from here. And he looked a little stressed. Well no kidding, how hard would any of us find it to tell our ELEVEN YEAR OLD no, you don't get a thousand dollar cake for your birthday.
Update! My friend sent her the CNN article "Welcome to my party...now pay-up" to a group of people, including the twins mom.
I was rolling on the floor. But she probably didn't even get it was really meant for her.
OMG - this one wins the prize!!
I have a suggestion for the mom of the twins...why not have the party down at the local food bank (free location), have people donate food for the food bank and a few munchies for the kids (free food), and have the preening little princesses sort the food for the people that really need the donations? (this could be free entertainment for them all night - by gosh, you could even plug in some music!). Wow, she could even start a new trend of helping others before yourself!! 
Update! My friend sent her the CNN article "Welcome to my party...now pay-up" to a group of people, including the twins mom.
I was rolling on the floor. But she probably didn't even get it was really meant for her.
Oh heck no she won't get it! Those kind never do!
I noticed years ago..... when the dept mgr would pull everyone together to give the standard speech about "some are not pulling their weight and that's not fair to your co-workers, so everyone needs to chip in as a team..." blah blah blah. I always noticed that the ONE person the mgr was actually talking about would be the ONE person who crossed her arms, threw out her chest, looked down her nose at everyone in the group and said very sternly and forcefully, "YEAH!!!!"
Makes ya just wanna beat 'em with a stick.
Wow, this woman is not only an idiot, she's got big brass you know whats to go along with her idiocy.
We received an invitation to a friend's dd's Wedding with a poem inside something to the effect of: "we didn't register anywhere since we've been living together for a while now we don't really need a toaster or sheets, we just need money to help pay for our honeymoon." I wish I had saved that one.
My friend was totally humiliated....she had no idea they were including this in the invitation.
The Nerve of some people . Asking other people to basically pay for her party . like if she was sometype of hobo that did'nt have ANY money
Wow. So disturbing. What bothers me more is that people actually signed up for this and went along with it. So, I guess the mom got what she wanted. What's wrong with people? If a good friend of mine was doing something like that I would simply tell her she's insane. If it wasn't a close friend, well, then....I'd just avoid going.
It's just ridiculous what people get away with.
angie
I guess you could tell her to look up the definition of "donation" in her Funk & Wagnalls. I am so tired of hearing these parents cry about the expenses of throwing a party for their kids who could really give a c$%p.
I see it all the time with bar mitzvahs and quincenaeras. These are religious milestones not what is the most extravagant thing I can possibly do!! All these people need to throttle back!! I have the same feeling after watching Bridezillas--where do they get these people????
Wow, this woman is not only an idiot, she's got big brass you know whats to go along with her idiocy.
We received an invitation to a friend's dd's Wedding with a poem inside something to the effect of: "we didn't register anywhere since we've been living together for a while now we don't really need a toaster or sheets, we just need money to help pay for our honeymoon." I wish I had saved that one.
My friend was totally humiliated....she had no idea they were including this in the invitation.
Things like this is quite common in oz. We tend to not register with places (some people do). We are a little upfront I guess. If it's one bill, one table it will be in the invitation, if it's byo meat or byo drinks then it will be on the invitation. It's also not a do or die situation. The party isn't doomed from the lack of an attendee and what they may bring to the party. My cousin recently got married and she registered with a travel agent so you could put in for the honeymoon which was a great idea for rellies and friends who wanted to get a gift but not to travel with something. I think a party where everyone puts in for the cost like the op's friend is a little excessive.
Amazing!! they have guts to throw a party and expect people to pay for it??
I once was invited to a wedding. The bride was the sister of a good friend of mine and it was her 3rd wedding. The invitation read: "Gifts are not required, cash donations are gladly accepted" --- my cash donation was exactly $1.00 and...I wasn't invited to her 4th wedding LOL 
OMG - this one wins the prize!!
I have a suggestion for the mom of the twins...why not have the party down at the local food bank (free location), have people donate food for the food bank and a few munchies for the kids (free food), and have the preening little princesses sort the food for the people that really need the donations? (this could be free entertainment for them all night - by gosh, you could even plug in some music!). Wow, she could even start a new trend of helping others before yourself!!
I actually love this idea! How amazing would it be if everyone, on their birthday decided to volunteer for something, imagine what we all could accomplish. My son is about to turn one and my husband and I decided no matter where we are or what we have planned that on the actual birthday of either us, or our children we would volunteer for something. This year we're taking a bunch of toys, clothes, baby formula & cereal to a local thrift shop that sells at a discount and all the proceeds go back into the community. I hope to teach our children the "it's better to give than receive" philosophy so that they will NOT turn out like the kids in this post! Then of course, we'll have a great birthday party with LOTS AND LOTS of cake
They think we have magical butts...I told my friend if I was able to magically pull stuff out of my butt, I coudl explain it's size!
I am hurting over here.
I am hypnotized by this rolling smiley face.
The lady who threw the party really has some balls, and no class whatsoever. I guess they never heard of saving their money.
Wow, this woman is not only an idiot, she's got big brass you know whats to go along with her idiocy.
We received an invitation to a friend's dd's Wedding with a poem inside something to the effect of: "we didn't register anywhere since we've been living together for a while now we don't really need a toaster or sheets, we just need money to help pay for our honeymoon." I wish I had saved that one.
My friend was totally humiliated....she had no idea they were including this in the invitation.
Things like this is quite common in oz. We tend to not register with places (some people do). We are a little upfront I guess. If it's one bill, one table it will be in the invitation, if it's byo meat or byo drinks then it will be on the invitation. It's also not a do or die situation. The party isn't doomed from the lack of an attendee and what they may bring to the party. My cousin recently got married and she registered with a travel agent so you could put in for the honeymoon which was a great idea for rellies and friends who wanted to get a gift but not to travel with something. I think a party where everyone puts in for the cost like the op's friend is a little excessive.
Hi Lovely, I've actually seen a few couples register with a travel agency too.....that's not what surprised me about my story....the fact that this couple have been living together for a while and needed money for their "honeymoon" was the funny part. I'm not sure you'd still qualify the "vacation" as a honeymoon after living together for 5 yrs. That was why her mother was humiliated, it was like they wanted to go on vacation but couldn't afford it, so they decided to get married to fund their vacation.
I'm sitting here trying to figure out what I would say if I had someone send me a similar email - especially if it was someone I didn't know. If I didn't know the person, I would likely ignore them completely but if I did......even though I hope I don't have any friends that would ask this of me - I'd be sure to drop off the best Sara Lee frozen pound cake I could find along with a carton of DH buttercream then apologize that I was booked solid that day for people who actually wanted to PAY for my cakes.
Some people have NO tact. I would have liked to see the cake she did end up getting....
Aww. Now I feel bad 
When I got married, we asked for cash gifts. Well, we didn't ask exactly. My husband and I were moving from Mexico to Canada and our guests (close family and close close BFFs) called our parents and asked what they could get us. And our parents suggested that the most practical would be cash. The gifts covered the cost of the wedding.
It is actually very common to ask for cash as wedding and shower gifts in my town in Mexico (called an envelope gift). We don't really do the registry thing. And also for wedding shower some people do a "canned party" were ppl give something to fill the newlyweds' kitchen pantry. Oh, and in case you're wondering, we don't do Thank you notes either. Postal service sucks in mexico, so we say thanks in person when we receive the gift.
Cash is just more practical I think because you end up returning or exchanging half the gifts anyway. I feel tacky now
Aww. Now I feel bad
When I got married, we asked for cash gifts. Well, we didn't ask exactly. My husband and I were moving from Mexico to Canada and our guests (close family and close close BFFs) called our parents and asked what they could get us. And our parents suggested that the most practical would be cash.(
Actually, all the etiquette rule books state that this IS the proper way to let guests know that cash is preferred. Don't put it in the invitation, the couple should not ask for cash .... but family members can spread the word for the couple. Word of mouth is proper etiquette.
You did ok! 
In my area, I have seen a 'note' of sorts...at the very bottom of an invitation - usually to a shower - that a 'money tree' will be available. I'm not sure if that's appropriate or not, but I've seen it a lot. I remember the first time I went to a shower with a money tree...i was really young with my mother and I truly went looking for a money tree... 
Aww. Now I feel bad
When I got married, we asked for cash gifts. Well, we didn't ask exactly. My husband and I were moving from Mexico to Canada and our guests (close family and close close BFFs) called our parents and asked what they could get us. And our parents suggested that the most practical would be cash. The gifts covered the cost of the wedding.It is actually very common to ask for cash as wedding and shower gifts in my town in Mexico (called an envelope gift). We don't really do the registry thing. And also for wedding shower some people do a "canned party" were ppl give something to fill the newlyweds' kitchen pantry. Oh, and in case you're wondering, we don't do Thank you notes either. Postal service sucks in mexico, so we say thanks in person when we receive the gift.
Cash is just more practical I think because you end up returning or exchanging half the gifts anyway. I feel tacky now
Oh no...please don't feel tacky. I am totally okay for a wedding gift. My outrage was due to the mother didn't want to pay ANYTHING. I donate (on occassion) for graduations, college graduations, stuff more educational. If you would have seen the way the twins acted on a normal basis, you would be appauled also. So please don't feel tacky. I would have done the same thing in your situation.
I'm sitting here trying to figure out what I would say if I had someone send me a similar email - especially if it was someone I didn't know. If I didn't know the person, I would likely ignore them completely but if I did......even though I hope I don't have any friends that would ask this of me - I'd be sure to drop off the best Sara Lee frozen pound cake I could find along with a carton of DH buttercream then apologize that I was booked solid that day for people who actually wanted to PAY for my cakes.
Some people have NO tact. I would have liked to see the cake she did end up getting....
You know, I thought about that. Going to CostCo or something to find the cheapest sheet cake I could find and say here...here is the cake donation. And me and my friend were going to split the cost. 
BTW...They didn't get a cake. From what I know, they only had Nachos with can cheese from Sam's. And bottled water. Yet..they drove up in a Chrysler 300 limo.
Hopefully the mother will realize since we (me the baker..and my friend the bbq caterer) did not donate..it will make here think twice about doing it again.
But I guess I will not find out by email anymore since I BLOCKED her emails from coming through. I don't even want to do business with a person like that.
BTW...They didn't get a cake. From what I know, they only had Nachos with can cheese from Sam's. And bottled water. Yet..they drove up in a Chrysler 300 limo.
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAA!
Oh man, the mental image this generates is hilarious!
Sure hope someone remembered a can opener. 
Aww. Now I feel bad
When I got married, we asked for cash gifts. Well, we didn't ask exactly. My husband and I were moving from Mexico to Canada and our guests (close family and close close BFFs) called our parents and asked what they could get us. And our parents suggested that the most practical would be cash. The gifts covered the cost of the wedding.
Hi Meegh, this doesn't sound unproper at all...your friends and family knew that you were moving and $$ gift sound to me like the proper thing to do.
I am from Mexico too (but lived in the USA most my life) and I know what you mean about the postal service in Mexico--'thank you' cards are just not the thing.
I had a huge quinceanera party for my daughter 5yrs ago. It never crossed my mind to ask for help from anyone not even family. So, at the party one of the guest asked me: you paid for the whole thing by yourself? what a fool! nowadays you get sponsors for your big parties 
...this is the same guest that throws pot-lucks for her kid's b-day parties.
Well, maybe this is a new trend, but I'm old fashion...if I can't afford a party I just won't throw it...very simple
Aww. Now I feel bad
When I got married, we asked for cash gifts. Well, we didn't ask exactly. My husband and I were moving from Mexico to Canada and our guests (close family and close close BFFs) called our parents and asked what they could get us. And our parents suggested that the most practical would be cash. The gifts covered the cost of the wedding.Hi Meegh, this doesn't sound unproper at all...your friends and family knew that you were moving and $$ gift sound to me like the proper thing to do.
I am from Mexico too (but lived in the USA most my life) and I know what you mean about the postal service in Mexico--'thank you' cards are just not the thing.
I had a huge quinceanera party for my daughter 5yrs ago. It never crossed my mind to ask for help from anyone not even family. So, at the party one of the guest asked me: you paid for the whole thing by yourself? what a fool! nowadays you get sponsors for your big parties
...this is the same guest that throws pot-lucks for her kid's b-day parties. Well, maybe this is a new trend, but I'm old fashion...if I can't afford a party I just won't throw it...very simple
Amen to that!! It is bad enough that weddings are soooo outrageous now, but birthday parties for a kid?? Whatever happened to just cake and ice cream, pin the tail on the donkey and a pinata??
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