Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to step back from my husband’s hobby event after all this?

134 replies

CitrusWhite · 20/11/2025 20:48

DH recently became chairman of his hobby group, which means he now has to organise the annual fundraising event. So far it has put us nearly £1,500 out of pocket. I gave him money from my annual bonus for a room deposit of £500 and allowed him to use family money, so about £1,000 has come from me personally.

This is his hobby and, frankly, his ego boost as chair. I’ve kept quiet, avoided taking over and being the default organiser like I did with our wedding, kids’ christenings, birthdays etc. and told myself that if he wants the title and the praise, he can do the legwork!

Still, I’ve sourced and paid for a few bits to make it look good because he’d happily settle for the cheapest, most basic options.

One of the decorations is a balloon arrangement we need to make 15 of. We needed to test one last night or tonight so I can make the rest the day before the event. Yesterday I’d done a 13-hour day and had a long drive to and from the office. He invited a friend round to discuss event plans without asking me, even though I needed to be part of it. I sucked it up and got on with it, even though I was exhausted.

Tonight I told him he needed to do a test balloon arrangement so I know what I’m doing when I make the bulk of them. He couldn’t find a suitable pump, kicked off, and said I was being BU and “lazy”. He gave a nasty tirade about how awful I was being and then texted me 10 minutes later asking if I’d “reflected on how awful” I’d been. His argument being that he has had a busy day and looking for a lump is physical whereas last night I just had to talk - as though his physical exhaustion is worse than my mental exhaustion.

All I actually said was that we should’ve done the balloons last night, and that I’ve already put in a lot of effort and money for his hobby event, not mine and we need to do this test run as we wont get anither chance then it will be done last minute and we will bith be stressed. He insists he’s had a long day and it’s apparently fine for me to sit with a glass of wine while he looks for a pump, but he’s completely dismissing the work I’ve put in sourcing favours, raffle prizes and decorations of which I am sorting during wfh days around housework and school pick ups too (his job is FT office).

Right now I’m thinking: leave him to it. Let him run his event however he likes and remove myself from it entirely. In my head that’s the sensible option, but deep down I know it would be a huge blow to him and it would be embarrassing for him if I didn’t attend - the point I am making maybe not worth the fall out.

I also don’t want to show up to an event full of tacky Temu centrepieces and have people assume I played a part in that.

AIBU?

OP posts:
MatchaMatchaMatcha · 21/11/2025 01:01

You can't just opt completely out now this year.
Yes she can and I would!!

Friendlygingercat · 21/11/2025 00:56

I became involved in several big glitzy fundraising events when I was working in the USA. The people I rented from were keen fundraisers and they really do things in style there. I was asked to do a "motivational" speech based on having overcome a poor background. I had not taken any glitzy dresses with me so I hired one. A couple of weeks after the evening a cheque for $1000 arrived and all my expenses were paid. I was asked to do one in another city and a limousine was laid on for me. It was a real eyeopener into how these things are done over there.

user1492757084 · 21/11/2025 00:36

You can't just opt completely out now this year.
Smile and be encouraging. That is your main job.

DH needs to see his event through and you need to assist where you promised. Hope it is successful.

Don't spend on any more splurges.
The fewer ballooons, the better.
Suggest DH asks for free balloons etc. for the charity in exchange for free advertising/exposure.

Don't put any of your money in again - except a donation to the charity..

MatchaMatchaMatcha · 21/11/2025 00:34

I can't believe you've paid out of your own money, let alone £1500! Are you nuts??

Whatever the hobby is, its not the 60s at a cricket club. Just leave him to do it, don't do anything and stop spending money on his ego trip.

Utterly bonkers

CheeseIsMyIdol · 21/11/2025 00:29

Jesus. I would not spend £15 let alone £1500 of family money on this nonsense.

Nor a minute of my time.

99bottlesofkombucha · 21/11/2025 00:24

Massive step back time. It’s never too late to become someone who doesn’t set themselves on fire to keep someone who doesn’t respect them at all warm.

‘I was very unhappy about how you spoke to me. You don’t seem to realise at all that it’s not my hobby and I’m not just an extension of you. Work it all out yourself, you’ve taken me far too much for granted, I won’t lift a finger for this hobby ever again unless you’ve convinced me you love and respect me, looked after me when I’m stressed and tired instead of yelling at me to do more that’s just for you, and put a fair value on my contributions. I don’t see anyone else lining up to organise your event and get yelled at for it.

PinkArt · 21/11/2025 00:19

I said YABU because what are you doing??? A grand and a half of your own money on making a party for his hobby group look prettier?! If you've got that kind of money to throw away then just donate it to the golf club directly (or to a more deserving cause). If you don't have that money to spare then what on earth were you thinking.
And now on top of that you're dicking around with balloon arches, instead of just picking a nice frock, finding the bar and smiling a smile that doesn't quite meet your eyes at all his little chums.
His hobby, his title, his event, his balloon arches, his fragile ego, his responsibility.
Drop the rope!!!

Namechangerage · 21/11/2025 00:14

Twistedfirestarters · 20/11/2025 21:17

This whole thing is insane.

Why are you entertaining any of it?!

Right?! He shouldn’t have to use a single penny of his own money. Leave him to it OP!

InterestedDad37 · 21/11/2025 00:03

Honestly, leave it totally up to him and his ego to stand or fall according to his own actions and efforts. It's up to him. Don't prop up something shoddily built. Tell him you'll attend, but the rest is on him.

RealEagle · 20/11/2025 23:48

Read this and just thought WHY?

RampantIvy · 20/11/2025 23:43

It's his event, so you didn't need to get involved.

And balloons are so bad for the environment.

He treats you the way he does because you let him.

twilightermummy · 20/11/2025 23:38

Ask him to reflect on how he's going to give you your money back within the hour.

Beesandhoney123 · 20/11/2025 23:27

If there isn't any money, you shouldn't be funding it!!! Did he ask you? I dint understand why you've spent all that money on bugger all. It's not even gone to the charity.

It's It's a proper charity, they wouldn't have allowed you to to that, unless it's a gift? Are you sure you aren't just funding a lovely party your dh has thrown? Will he be telling everyone you paid for it your money? No? Thought not.

Don't go. It's his do. Why are you going? Are you donating again?

He sounds a dick, tbh. Let him get on with it.

TooExtraImmatureCheddar · 20/11/2025 23:13

Why the fuck do you care about the balloon arrangements? He doesn’t want to practice balloon arrangements because that’s a total waste of time and balloons. He can just blow up balloons on the day and tie them into whatever shape he wants. No practice needed, and, (can’t stress this enough) not your problem.

ForFunGoose · 20/11/2025 23:11

CitrusWhite · 20/11/2025 21:10

Our spend isnt recouped against the takings. 100% of the money raised on the night will go to the charity so the money we spent is disregarded.

I have no idea why there is no support fund but its how its always been, with people paying for their food as their ticket to the event.

We booked a big, lavish room because he was convinced lots more people would come to his event than usual and he wanted to put on a giid show. He would never admit it but as much as he pretends he is a "take me as you find me" guy, he actually wants people to.look up to him.

Disappointingly, he has not had the extra support he expected he would have had over his predecessors so numbers are as low as ever and no, its not been worth it.

This is all about his ego!
let him fail and realise he’s not the person he thinks he is. I’m shocked you have let him be such a shit to you, please stop looking after his fragile masculinity.

Travelfairy · 20/11/2025 23:06

Leave him to it! Fuck that

Ellie56 · 20/11/2025 23:05

No YANBU to step back from this event. I can't understand why you stepped up in the first place. And you spent £1500 on a fund raiser! WTAF? That is absolutely crazy.

As for the way your so called "D"H speaks to you, why are you putting up with that? Where is your self respect? Quite frankly as it's his event I'd just let the unpleasant little twat get on with it.

MummaMummaMumma · 20/11/2025 23:04

You keep saying "we" need to do this and that
You mean "him". You don't have to do anything. If you choose to help him and he's being an ungrateful arse then absolutely leave him to it completely. And stop paying for it also.

RafaFan · 20/11/2025 22:45

Is this a Rotary Club or Masonic thing? The whole set up sounds bizarre to be honest. Did previous chairs spend their own cash?

Cornishclio · 20/11/2025 22:43

So that £1500 will not be recouped? I would be saying to DH that you want that money back. Paying for balloon arrangements is ridiculous if this is supposed to be a fund raiser. Who really cares about all that?

Starzinsky · 20/11/2025 22:42

Sounds like you have unnecessarily fussed and involved yourself, a bit odd.

DeedlessIndeed · 20/11/2025 22:42

Is it a rotary club type of thing?

TTCbabynumber22025 · 20/11/2025 22:42

It sounds like you’re not doing a very good job of not being involved.

leave him to it, what’s the implication on you if it’s a bit tacky?

Snowfalling · 20/11/2025 22:41

CanSeeClearlyNowTheRainHasGone · 20/11/2025 21:13

I also don’t want to show up to an event full of tacky Temu centrepieces and have people assume I played a part in that

Looks like this is the crux of the argument.

It's his event
It's his tonareange and decide the level of tackiness

But you seem to feel its your event
And that you don't want to be judged for it.

Walk away. Let him sink or swim.

Stop trying to organise and just help him if he asks and if the ask is reasonable like we all donwith our partners.

It's NOT your event

Agree! why do you keep taking over against your better judgement? why on earth would you throw family money on his ego boost? He has very disrespectful to you, so definitely not unreasonable to stop doing anything related to this. Has he apologised for this? If not I wouldn't be turning up at the event either.

Cornishclio · 20/11/2025 22:36

Well you should not have used your own money and yes I would leave him to it if it is his hobby not yours. Is anyone really bothered whether you turn up or not? I don't expect my husband to attend my interest group events unless it is something he might be interested in and vice versa. You both seem unduly concerned with what others may think. It is a hobby event. They are not supposed to be professional.

Swipe left for the next trending thread