Yep it sure is a thing 😣 I was invited to a baby shower without being told until I got there that I had to pay $40 for my morning tea... this was in addition to the gift i had already bought... talk about being put on the spot!!! The baby shower ended up costing well over $100... when the baby was born I just sent a card...

It’s especially rude that it is tbc - how can you make a decision that you can afford it? It could be $10 or $100! Ridiculous

I am quite shocked that someone could even ask you to pay to attend a baby shower or any other party!

Have they given a location as to where it's being hosted? The only way I'd pay to go to a baby shower is if were in lieu of a gift (and depending on how much they wanted from me), or I had to pay for my own meal, such as at a restaurant or cafe.

Asking guests to pay to host a baby shower (or any function, really) is garbage.

Don’t attend ... they also miss out on your gift.
Rude rude!

They host you.
You don’t pay.
Ridiculous

No, it's not a thing, but unfortunately people are getting increasingly entitled in behaviour.

It's rude/cheeky to ask people to pay to attend & also bring a gift. I'd be holding off until I knew the cost & what it covered. It might be a $ contribution request rather than a gift, or at a cafe.