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Original poster

Annoyed at DD's friends birthday party on Christmas Eve

253 replies

ShabbaRAnkzz · 23/12/2024 20:26

DD has been invited to her friends birthday party tomorrow (Christmas Eve). It's from 12-4 and parents have been asked to attend / stay with the children.
This takes out a block of Christmas Eve when I've got so much other stuff I need to do.
Its one of my daughters clotest friends so I will need to attend.
AIBU to this it's a very inconvenient time?

OP posts:
Bannedontherun · 23/12/2024 21:03

My daughter (adult now) was born Xmas eve.

I recognised that if i wanted children, to come once she was of school age, i really needed to make it appealing to parents so they could get all their last minute jobs done. Whilst their child was entertained elsewhere.

So roped my family in to helping and hubby always took Xmas eve off as well.

And it was also along party 3 -4 hours so it made it worthwhile for other parents.

I think it unreasonable to expect parents to stay.

Maybe talk to her about next year?

Tricho · 23/12/2024 21:02

I assume you only found out about this today?...

StMarie4me · 23/12/2024 21:02

DoubleFunMum · 23/12/2024 20:28

Are you joking? The poor child has their birthday at Christmas and you want their parents to have their party at some time that is more convenient to you? Right! YABVU in my opinion. Be glad it's not you trying to throw a party on Christmas Eve.

No that is not what OP said. To expect a patent to lose 4 hrs (which will be 5 with travel) on Christmas Eve is ridiculous.

Op why do you have to stay? I don't understand this modern trend as when my kids and grandkids were little parents never stayed! Also 4 hrs is way too long!

It's all crazy!

therewasafishinthepercolator · 23/12/2024 21:01

Because it's MN I should clarify that I am joking.

I think. I am heavily under the influence of many many cheeses. I don't know what I do.

TeenLifeMum · 23/12/2024 21:00

BettyBardMacDonald · 23/12/2024 20:49

Agree. Poor planning by the parents. Why not last Saturday?

Show quote history

We were busy over the last weekend before Christmas, Christmas Eve would be far better for me. We’re just going to the cinema tomorrow as something fun to do. A birthday party sounds fun 🤷🏻‍♀️

Original poster
ShabbaRAnkzz · 23/12/2024 21:00

therewasafishinthepercolator · 23/12/2024 20:59

Take a bag of spuds and your sprouts with you, sit yourself at the buffet table and start peeling.

If they've got a trifle nick it.

Great idea.....

OP posts:
therewasafishinthepercolator · 23/12/2024 20:59

Take a bag of spuds and your sprouts with you, sit yourself at the buffet table and start peeling.

If they've got a trifle nick it.

AnyoneSomeone · 23/12/2024 20:58

I'd think it was a great idea tbh. Something for the kids to do instead of being all hyper at home.

Tarraleah · 23/12/2024 20:58

As long as there's enough warning, it's a lovely idea. I would be pretty annoyed if I got the invitation this weekend, but generally we get Christmas time invitations around a month in advance.

What's the problem? I plan the day around it, no real difference from booking some Christmas activity, we would have done them at the weekend or today instead.

If you really can't make it, you decline when you get the invitation?

Parties are great for the kids, who would resent their children actually having fun on Christmas Eve?

Brefugee · 23/12/2024 20:56

ShabbaRAnkzz · 23/12/2024 20:36

Sleeply at 4pm??

Show quote history

so when did you receive and RSVP the invitation?

YABU unless they invited you today

theeyeofdoe · 23/12/2024 20:55

JubileeJuice · 23/12/2024 20:37

I would absolutely not be doing this on Christmas Eve, no matter how close friends they were. We have family traditions that we participate in on Christmas Eve and I prefer it to Christmas day. Ridiculous day to have a child's party.

We would decline too.

Sometimeswinning · 23/12/2024 20:54

mathanxiety · 23/12/2024 20:29

It's just plain rude to ask parents to stay with children at the best of times. If you can't manage a small crowd of children (by yourself or with the help of hired teenagers), don't have a party.

Also in that same thought, can’t stay as requested, don’t come. I invited about 15 to my kids Xmas party. Parents either stayed or gave me a good reason why they couldn’t!

AnyoneSomeone · 23/12/2024 20:53

I'd just plan my day around it. It's not like you only just got the invitation.

Crispynoodle · 23/12/2024 20:52

Er send her dad with her!

EvelynBeatrice · 23/12/2024 20:52

I had this once. Agreed with mum friend of another child that she’d do the first shift supervising both of our boys and I’d do the second.

Original poster
ShabbaRAnkzz · 23/12/2024 20:52

Snorlaxo · 23/12/2024 20:51

My children have birthdays that often clash with bank holidays so their parties are the week before or after.

If it’s inconvenient then you should have said no. Accepting the invitation and moaning about it is not very nice behaviour. As the saying on here goes, it’s an invitation and not a summons

I am only moaning on here. 99% of posts are people moaning on her because they are too polite or scared to say what they really think.

OP posts:
MumChp · 23/12/2024 20:51

4 hours on 24rd December with a parent present?
I would have declined. We are travelling anyway to see family snd wouldn't delay it.

Original poster
ShabbaRAnkzz · 23/12/2024 20:51

AnyoneSomeone · 23/12/2024 20:48

I dunno, It's a bit shit having a Christmas birthday that no one bothers with.

Yes. You're right.

OP posts:
Snorlaxo · 23/12/2024 20:51

My children have birthdays that often clash with bank holidays so their parties are the week before or after.

If it’s inconvenient then you should have said no. Accepting the invitation and moaning about it is not very nice behaviour. As the saying on here goes, it’s an invitation and not a summons

BarbaraHoward · 23/12/2024 20:50

YANBU, that's really shit. Most people will have plans or be away or be busy preparing food etc for the next day. I would only accept this for my child's actual best friend and I'm guessing many others would feel the same so the poor kid will have a much smaller birthday party than if they'd picked a more sensible date.

BettyBardMacDonald · 23/12/2024 20:49

mathanxiety · 23/12/2024 20:28

RSVP with regrets.

This is an absolutely daft idea.

Agree. Poor planning by the parents. Why not last Saturday?

Original poster
ShabbaRAnkzz · 23/12/2024 20:49

raropo · 23/12/2024 20:45

how old is your DD? 4hrs is a bit of an ask.

Children are 6-7. There are alot of events planned, so the kids won't mind. It actually sounds fab but it's just the timing on Xmas Eve.

OP posts:
chattyness · 23/12/2024 20:49

just go for the first 2 hours, what the heck are they planning to do for that length of time? 4 hours is too long for any kids party never mind on Xmas eve

steff13 · 23/12/2024 20:48

My nephew's birthday is the 23rd (today). My brother and sister-in-law always had his party the weekend before or after. I'd prefer that. I'm too busy Christmas Eve to spend four hours in the middle of the day at a child's birthday party

therewasafishinthepercolator · 23/12/2024 20:48

Given its tomorrow and your DD is a close friend you're definitely right to take her.

But you're not unreasonable at all. Christmas Eve is awful timing. Thoughtless.

Giving parents benefit of the doubt that they didn't think it through.

They should have gone with the weekend before or something.

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