DH's sibling is hosting their birthday do in a city centre bar a couple of hours drive away. We as a family (DH, myself and our young children who are all pre-school age) were all invited, I didn't like the idea of taking them to a bar anyway but as things unfolded it turned out they have no baby facilities and it coincides with a football match, meaning I had a genuine reason to say I didn't want them there.
So DH said he would go alone, my MiL offered to have the children (being nearly 70 she isn't exactly enamoured with the idea of going to a bar from 2pm onwards) so DH and I could go, but DH's sibling said they wanted their mum to have a break and enjoy herself. Totally fine, I'd already turned down the offer as it's her child's birthday and didn't want her to miss it.
Fast forward to now, and DH's sibling is asking DH to book a hotel and stay overnight. The party coincides with the Euros and a festival, the cheapest room is £140, so on top of travel, drinks, food and a present, we will be looking at £300+ for one night. I don't really want him to spend that sort of cash, and tbh he has said he doesn't, but his sibling is saying that no one wants to stay and hardly anyone has RSVP'ed saying yes. He now feels guilty. I understand that guilt, but we've gone from him driving up and coming back later on in the evening, costing the price of some diesel, food and soft drinks (plus present) to a far more substantial amount, because let's face it, if he stays over he will get drunk and spend far more...plus parking...blah blah. We have disposable income but (here comes the bit I think I'm going to get shot to pieces for) I can't help but think it could be better spent elsewhere. That's easily a couple of days out with the kids.
I don't know, now I've typed it I think I am being unreasonable...