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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To have alcohol at our christmas party?

43 replies

AllHailDaddyPig · 14/12/2010 13:22

On Christmas Eve we are having a party/buffet for our family. There are going to be 14 adults and 7 children. Party games/prizes for kids etc.

The party will be starting at 4pm, and I was planning on having champagne to greet people with as they arrive. Just a glass each.

There will be a very large buffet and I was just going to have some mulled wine and a few beers for non-wine drinkers. Not a huge amount, not enough to get drunk, but just a festive drink. There will be lots of soft drinks on offer as well, and I personally won't even be drinking any alcohol.

However my SIL has taken offence to this Confused and is apparently re-considering bringing the children as she feels it's inappropriate for them to be around people drinking. Is she right? Is it inappropriate? I am wondering now wether to just have soft drinks and no alcohol?

Thoughts would be appreciated! Thankyou! Smile

OP posts:
Reality · 14/12/2010 13:23

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

needtogetalife · 14/12/2010 13:23

I dont see a problem with it

LadyGlencoraPalliser · 14/12/2010 13:24

Your SIL is more barking than Battersea Dogs' Home. Since when do multi-generational gatherings have to be teetotal? That's crazy.

scurryfunge · 14/12/2010 13:24

It'll be a crap party without any alcohol Grin. It is entirely up to her whether she brings the children or not -she sounds like a control freak.

kreecherlivesupstairs · 14/12/2010 13:24

Confused. What planet does she live on? Planet insania. It is Christmas and even the most hardened non drinkers would understand that people like to have a tipple.
You aren't serving vodka with meths chasers FFS.

susie100 · 14/12/2010 13:24

She is nuts and sounds really boring.

Her children will turn out weird.

Plus how much fun is a sneak of the punch at your parents party? Fondest childhood memory.........

DaemonBarber · 14/12/2010 13:24

Have you ever been to a family party where there was no alcohol at all?

YANBU, she sounds v precious.

iamamug · 14/12/2010 13:26

Weird SIL - it's Christmas FGS!
It's my DH's birthday on Christmas Eve and we have open house every year from about 3pm until the last one falls.
Everyone is welcome, adults children etc.
Woe betide anyone telling me there can't be drinkies in my house on Christmas Eve (or any other time come to that)

Is she generally a twunt?? Grin

mazzystartled · 14/12/2010 13:26

YANBU, she's just being weird. Unless there is History. Or if she is a strict Methodist. Can you ring and reassure her that it's not a boozy do and that the children will not be exposed to their rellies getting trollied? I'd maybe not serve the fizz on arrival though. Save it for later.

LaurieFairyonthetreeEatsCake · 14/12/2010 13:26

Oh good gravy. There is child centred and then there is barking at the moon while dribbling.

Totally nutsoid.

Yulephemia · 14/12/2010 13:26

What you are offering by way of alcohol sounds very sensible and festive; like you say, not enough to get drunk on.

What does your SIL think is going to happen to the children if they see people drinking/a bit tiddly? My grannie's house at Christmas and New Year was like a branch of Victoria Wine - people were fleeing drunk, in true Scottish tradition. Xmas Grin

I grew up with a fairly healthy attitude towards drink - I'm not sure what your SIL thinks will happen. Does her DH get rat-arsed and start shagging the armchairs or something?

I know Christmas is for children, but surely the adults are allowed a wee drinkie?

dickiedavismincepies · 14/12/2010 13:26

Tell her you understand entirely and you're dreadfully sorry and you'll lay on some special Xmas heroin for the non-drinkers.

Yulephemia · 14/12/2010 13:27

Bloody hell, 10 people posted in the time it took me to type my response! Xmas Grin

Original poster
AllHailDaddyPig · 14/12/2010 13:28

Ah, thank goodness! Grin

I am glad to see the general opinion is that it's ok, I did find her response a bit strange! I do hope she brings the children though, would be an awful shame for them to miss it. I'll ask DH to have a word and reassure her that nobody will be falling about drunk.

OP posts:
MardyQuickFollowThatStar · 14/12/2010 13:29

YANBU - it's not like you are going to be getting pissed. She's a loon.

QuizteamBleakley · 14/12/2010 13:29

Errrgh, she sounds pathetic. What is she, a nun?

Personally, I think you should go with Kreecher's delightfully festive recipe for vodka & meths chasers and tell her to feck off. It's YOUR party and that she "feels it's inappropriate for them to be around people drinking..." makes me dislike her. Bleeurgh.

cat64 · 14/12/2010 13:30

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

expatinscotland · 14/12/2010 13:31

Then she can stay home. It's your party, not hers.

YulenoYurbubson · 14/12/2010 13:31

Is your SIL my sister? Fruit loop.

nookiebearisevil · 14/12/2010 13:32

YANBU if she doesn't think children should be around people who are drinking then she an have all the children for he evening and you can all get royally smashed Xmas Grin

HuwEdwards · 14/12/2010 13:32

She is BONKERS!

Original poster
AllHailDaddyPig · 14/12/2010 13:33

She is quite a nice woman generally, but more uptight maybe than me & DH. There are always strict rules & regulations for her children at parties/trips out, I find myself walking on eggshells quite a lot! Thankyou all for your reassurance, I have already ordered the champagne and it would have been a terrible shame if me and DH had to drink it all by ourselves Grin

OP posts:
maktaitai · 14/12/2010 13:34

Obviously Yanbu. However, it's odd how different the responses wd be if you were offering cigars. In ten years or so the consensus might be different.

(disclaimer: i loathe smoking so much i have to consciously self-censor my feelings about it as i would sound ridiculous if i said whati really felt.)

clam · 14/12/2010 13:37

You sound apologetic even for the limited amount you're intending to offer. Why? It's a party, for goodness' sake.

verytellytubby · 14/12/2010 13:40

Oh my god. I never go to children's parties without wine Grin