Oh god Xmas party stress already and it's ONLY JULY!

[CrystalDeCanter]

Am livid so am chancing it on AIBU.

Just had an email from my (usually lovely) sil inviting us to a party on 21st December - I know! 6 months notice, brilliant.

Anyway my gripe is the party goes from 5pm and they've specified NO KIDS. 4 days before Christmas and NO KIDS?!

er, exactly where are we and all their friends expected to get babysitters from on the Sat before Xmas at 5pm?? My children are 8 and 6, hers are 6 and 1, most of their friends also have small ish (primary aged) children.

All my babysitter options are teenagers or friends of mine who will surely have something fabulous happening the SATURDAY BEFORE XMAS AT 5PM. The other option is an agency babysitter which I'm not thrilled about.

Fuck it.

WWYD?

I'm sure lots of babysitting teenagers would love to earn a few extra christmas pennies!
Might cost you more than usual - christmas prices, but with this much notice I bet some of the teenagers/ friends you use would jump at the chance.
24th, maybe not. But 21st? Lots of teenagers will be more concerned about christmas eve/ new year's eve and would love to earn a bit towards those nights.

The Saturday before Christmas is PRIME babysitting time.

YABU.

Plus, your babysitter will have 6 months notice.

(Seriously, that's taking "getting in early" to the limit, I would usually ignore such crazy forward planning)

Tell them like it is, exactly what you have put in your post. If they haven't got kids then they haven't thought through the logistics of it all. If they have got kids then who will be caring for their kids while they are partying? Could they not do a ChristmSas afternoon tea so kids could attend & then people have thw option of staying on or leaving early?

Your SIL is BU by organising this so far in advance.

That said, my DH had to confirm and pay a deposit for his works Christmas do in April!

Really Aldi? Do you think? Maybe you're right - before I totally blow a gasket I'll check with my 2 babysitting teenagers. I was thinking they'd be out on the lash like I would have been

That's the weird thing tho Raisah - they have got kids. All their friends have small children and yet it's a 5pm start 4 DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS. and no kids allowed.

you have six months notice..

plenty of people would be quite happy to have a kid free event for one night over christmas..

Well I know really need a babysitter in December!! I don't get out much.

I do know that for the last 5 years I used the same babysitter and it's always been the last Saturday before Christmas (last but one in recent years).

I would have been out on the lash too, had I not had a babysitting job on, every night in December was a prime target so I needed the work.

Book panto. Quickly

Ohh Natasha I like your thinking. I could make 1000s

you've got half a years notice, surely you can arrange something. It's not unreasonable to have achristmas party for adults only.

I wouldn't go.

Are you really, really so livid that someone thought to invite you, with lots of notice, to a party?

Christ.

I love Christmas parties, and if babysitters are unavailable, I'd RSVP regrets. I also love being invited to parties without overexcited children. Perhaps your SIL, like me, relishes adult company occasionally.

Or maybe she just hates you and wants to ruin your life...

Nah not livid about being invited to a party imademarion. Parties are fun - well some are. And yes, I am overreacting I know. I am pleased to be invited, it's very nice of her, and yes it's 6 months notice, I need to get over it.

I do think it's a weird to make it a no kids thing. Maybe I'm just stressed as my babysitting options are so limited (live in forrin climes and no easy babysitting solutions available).

But perhaps she does just hate me

I bet she doesn't!

I throw child-free parties at Christmas so my friends can wear velvet without sticky fingers pulling at them, swear and panic out loud about presents instead of pretending that bastard glory-seeker Santa has it all under control.

Or don't go, get under the duvet with the children and hot chocolate and sob at The Snowman.

Typing that last sentence sweltering on an witless night was some feat!!

Right - deep breath - I've got over myself. Thank you, sensible mners.

I think I've forgotten how to have an adult party. The thought of having no sticky children pawing at me is so joyous I can't quite envisage it.

We're midst winter school holidays here and having 2 children hanging off me at every moment has obv sent me temporarily unreasonable.

Would anyone like to volunteer to babysit on 21 Dec - it will be sunny and hot here.

You can't have a child free event four days before christmas? So when is the magical cut off date?

Aw, I love a happy ending (drippy eye)

Have fun!! Christmas is SOOOOOO about the kids, I think to prevent over stimulation, it's essential for the parents to go and have fun without the children at some point over the festive season.

CrystalDeCanter YANBU to think it's a pain in the arse to arrange, but I think the reasoning behind the no kid rule is simply a night with mates/family who won't edit because of the children, or rather, will relax without worrying. It's good for the soul.

Enjoy!

My Christmas party invite box is woefully lacking at present.