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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

It’s a Christmas one. Sorry guys.

36 replies

Cravey · 07/08/2025 13:27

Every year we host Christmas. We live quite far from everyone so it’s a stay for almost everyone, all fine, we have the room. This year a nephew has a new girlfriend, very new, however he seems to think the open invite will include her, I’ve not met her yet and so said to dh ( it’s his sisters son ) that I won’t be asking her to stay as like I said we don’t know her. Dh has passed this onto his sister who is now wanting us all to meet up. Fair enough we will see them all at a family wedding and can meet the girl then. However this morning his sister proceeded to tell me oh yes she lovely and her children are so lovely too. I’m like wtf, 3 kids that she seems to think will simply slot in over Xmas and be no trouble. I’ve made it very clear there’s no room for an extra 3. She’s just texted dh asking if we will put towards an Airbnb for them. I’ve told him absolutely not, this is not our responsibility and nephew is 27 with a bloody job. Sister in law is now having a strop and bleating to all about how she can’t come without her son. I’ve said fine don’t come, dh ( idiot ) is now feeling guilty. Please tell me I’m not wrong on this one.

OP posts:
SophieJo · 07/08/2025 13:43

You are being absolutely reasonable to stand your ground.

cheddercherry · 07/08/2025 13:40

It’s absolutely fair to draw line as the three kids changes the dynamic especially since they’re not really any of your relations bar the girlfriend none of you really know, therefore can’t really step in if it’s chaos like you would your own nieces/ nephews etc. Maybe it’s time SIL hosted her own growing family. The suggestion of you paying for their accommodation when you’re already hosting is absurd btw!

dammit88 · 07/08/2025 13:39

Good grief no you are not being unreasonable! And to be honest I'm sure her three children wouldn't want to come either!

Notonthestairs · 07/08/2025 13:37

I host anyone that wants to come.
But when we run out of beds (all too old to sleep on the floor) I dont pay for accomodation - they have to sort that out for themselves.

BeltaLodaLife · 07/08/2025 13:37

Unfortunately when branches of the family starts making their own new branches, you need to start changing traditions. You host the immediate family but you can’t host when they have plus ones. Just tell them that and suggest that it’s time to have separate dinners.

SunshineAndFizz · 07/08/2025 13:35

Why on earth would you pay towards an Air B&B for someone you’ve not met and not invited?!!

DH to his sister: “The numbers are starting to get too big for us to host all extended family, if that means nephew can’t make it and would like to spend Christmas with his new gf we completely understand. Let us know either way if he can make it or not.”

Anxioustealady · 07/08/2025 13:35

I was picturing a teenage couple and thought you were being a bit harsh but it's your house, then 3 kids? 27 years old? No it's too much, and asking you to pay towards the Airbnb is ridiculous.

Do you pay for all the food and drink you serve at Christmas? I'm guessing for that many people over a couple days it's a huge expense and they're being very entitled to assume they can add 4 people you don't know and make you pay.

Elizabeth1000 · 07/08/2025 13:34

Time to stop hosting Christmas. If you have the money and space to host all these cheeky fuckers, cancel the lot and get yourself off to Canada or Australia.

IlovePhilMitchell · 07/08/2025 13:31

SIL needs to host her own Christmas.

Mrsttcno1 · 07/08/2025 13:30

Personally I wouldn’t have had an issue with the girlfriend coming, but the addition of 3 children does change things quite a bit.

IlovePhilMitchell · 07/08/2025 13:30

Sorry but I think this is stretching too far. This is when people need to start making their own traditions, the line has to be drawn somewhere.

TBH if I was the girlfriend the last thing I would want is to go to my partners aunties house and piggy back on their Christmas. I bet she’ll be relieved if she can’t come 🤣

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