Is it okay to ask a great uncle and his family to bring an appetizer to your baby's birthday party?

We were asked by the father of the child to bring an appetizer for the child's first birthday party. We have never heard of this and we foot the bill by ourselves for the parties we give. Is this okay? And if I don't feel like I should have to help support the party, how to I kindly say no?


Mar 05, 2011
Birthday Party Appetizer
by: Wendy (Modern Manners and Etiquette)

Thank you for your question. This is quite a dilemma. As family it is great to be invited to a birthday party. It is fun to celebrate and share that time together.
I remember as a young couple it was difficult for us to pay for birthday parties for our children, so we needed to ask for help from our family.
There is a reason they would ask you to bring an appetizer. If you are planning on attending the party you should take one. If you are not going to attend the party, politely tell them you will not be able to.