What a great response to the challenge Natalie. I am with you 100% on numbers 1-4.
#5 is trickier: let me explain why.
I absolutely agree that it was outrageous of your neighbour to invite you to a gathering and then suggest contributions to the cost of the food and that people bring their own drinks. Outrageous.
But . . . here is the thing: when I lived in London we had a residents committee that was formed after the council knocked down some beautiful old cottages and moved all the elderly people who had been living there far away: most of them died from the shock of it. We were so appalled that this could happen we set about finding a way to ensure we would always be notified of any changes locally so that we could fight them. I was not the main player but we did some good work, including getting the council (who came one day and removed all the old streetlights and put in modern motorway type ones) to reinstate Victorian style lampposts in keeping with our lovely road. When we organised to all get together we did it this way: someone offered to host and everyone who attended was asked to bring their own drink and glass. The host was allowed to offer crisps and nuts but no cooked food, and there was a strict 6-8pm time limit.
This format made it effortless to host and those with less money did not have to worry about stocking up on different drinks to please all. The gatherings were always great fun.
When i moved to Cornwall and wanted to create a sense of community on the road where we lived, I introduced the idea of a bring your own drink and glass party. There was some resistance at first but most embraced the idea and before long everyone was attending and people who had lived on the same road but never met all began to communicate. I set up a group email that became invaluable during lockdown to ensure everyone (there were lots of elderly people) got their food and prescriptions. The bring your own drink and glass format meant that those who couldn't afford to buy lots of alcohol and didn't have that many glasses felt able to host a social evening without pressure.
The millionaires would bring champagne and the sober people would bring orange juice!
It became so successful that one couple (friends of neighbours) deliberately moved to the road as soon as a house came up for sale so that they could be part of the community spirit. We left the road a much better place because of it.
So I agree wholeheartedly that your neighbours should not have invited you and then later suggested you bring your own. BUT I think there are occasions where asking people to bring their own drinks can work really well.
Lots of hearts to you (and thank you so much for the shout out), A💚💖💓🤗
