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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

DH just invited his mate over for Christmas Day

542 replies

Robyrollover · 23/11/2017 22:01

Just told me. Asked him whilst out at the weekend apparently. He's going to be on his own if not.

We already have my Dsis and family joining us, who have never met this friend, and aren't social by any stretch. BIL in particular is quite reserved.

I have said categorically no, it will be awkward for everyone (even I don't know him well, it's been well over a year since I've socialised with him), but he can come Boxing Day. I appreciate it's not in the spirit of Christmas, and if it wasn't for my Dsis I'd welcome him with open arms. Dh says I'm being a bitch.

So, over to you Mn... AIBU to say no?

OP posts:
ButchyRestingFace · 23/11/2017 22:58

I’d hate having someone I didn’t know well I am an introvert and cannot stand having people in my space, I’d be on edge all day.

I am the Greta Garbo of introverts. But I still don't think I could rescind that invite.

Would your relies come out of their shell if you pour a funnel of booze down their throats?

Junebugjr · 23/11/2017 22:58

OP isn't responsible for some chaps happiness on Christmas Day ffs.
Some serious people pleasers on here.

Kentnurse2015 · 23/11/2017 23:01

YABU. It is one day. It is one extra person. It is someone your husband wants there so if you are truly horrified at speaking to someone other than fMily he can speak to them.

It is Christmas!

Just carry on with your plans. Allow for ONE extra person (no extra food or cooking needed I'm sure) and relax! Have Christmas how you want. The extra person will a lot in I'm sure.

I quite often work Christmas but the days I have been there to host I am more than happy to have extras. It''s Christmas for everyone. I've had my fair share alone working shifts. Don't make it into a big deal

Kentnurse2015 · 23/11/2017 23:02

Extra person will slot in I'm sure that should say!

catrin · 23/11/2017 23:02

I'm alone for Christmas day this year. If someone invited me to theirs, I'd feel very nervous about going - I don't want to invade their space. But I really would hate to think that a kind offer had caused ww3 behind the scenes and made anyone so uncomfortable that they dreaded my presence. But to be invited by someone who genuinely meant the invitation would be a lovely thing.

ButchyRestingFace · 23/11/2017 23:02

OP isn't responsible for some chaps happiness on Christmas Day ffs.

No. But her husband tendered the offer and it would be very bad form to retract it, I think. She can chew him out later but I'd be inclined to suck it up this one time.

Some serious people pleasers on here.

I fucking hate most people but I still don't think I could do it.

gingergenius · 23/11/2017 23:04

"But I am responsible for DH's friends happiness...."

No. You're not OP.

You will do a lovely job and if that person isn't happy, that's not your problem.

Shakey15000 · 23/11/2017 23:05

Personally it wouldn't bother me. Pre having DS, DH and I would go to our local pub on Christmas Day. It opened between 12-3pm. If there was anyone there who was going to be on their own for dinner we'd invite them back to ours as there was only the two of us.

We laugh now, but there was one Christmas where one guy proceeded to get smashed on vodka while we finished doing the dinner then, because we lived in a flat and didn't have a dining table, dropped his plate of dinner on the floor. Dinner side down!

Robyrollover · 23/11/2017 23:05

I do get it - and I haven't the heart to rescind. I might suggest Christmas 'tea' for the friend then he can stop over and enjoy Boxing Day with us too. Hopefully that keeps everyone happy.

As a thought, those that are aghast at leaving someone alone for Christmas Day, I hope the morning of the 25th sees you collecting a soul in need from your nearest shelter or care home

OP posts:
Robyrollover · 23/11/2017 23:05

I do get it - and I haven't the heart to rescind. I might suggest Christmas 'tea' for the friend then he can stop over and enjoy Boxing Day with us too. Hopefully that keeps everyone happy.

As a thought, those that are aghast at leaving someone alone for Christmas Day, I hope the morning of the 25th sees you collecting a soul in need from your nearest shelter or care home

OP posts:
gingergenius · 23/11/2017 23:06

OP - Christmas tea sounds like a perfect compromise and a brilliant suggestion (can I steal that idea???)

Rachie1973 · 23/11/2017 23:06

As a thought, those that are aghast at leaving someone alone for Christmas Day, I hope the morning of the 25th sees you collecting a soul in need from your nearest shelter or care home

Oh I thought he was a friend of your husband. Or am I missing the whole drama or something?

footphobic · 23/11/2017 23:07

I’m not sure why some posters are not getting the issue here is your DSis and BIL being introvert and painfully shy, not you being unkind and selfish. You are worried how awkward and tense it will make the day, that’s what I’m understanding you mean by ‘unbearable’, you know them well and feel they are not just going to rally and get on with it. Is that right?

I would happily have extra guests, even ones I don’t know well, clearly many think the more the merrier and you could manage to jolly everyone along, I do lean that way but..I would take into account how the new guest might affect others already invited, if e.g., they were painfully shy and it would make them feel extremely anxious and uncomfortable, easier said than done.

I’d be inclined to Pingu’s advice but that would leave me worried that DSis would then just decline to come which would be a shame. If that’s likely I think perhaps I would ask DH to tactfully retract the Christmas Day invitation to his friend and offer it for another day.

Also, certainly YANBU to be annoyed at your DH issuing invitations without discussing. For something casual maybe, but not Christmas Day.

HildaWazzo · 23/11/2017 23:08

YANBU. You've had some really wanky replies on here from a lot of people who either have issues with reading comprehension or are just ignoring your posts in their hurry to insult you and your family.

It's totally understandable that you would be upset and concerned that the lovely day you've planned with your shy relatives will now be awkward and uncomfortable. That doesn't make your sister and BIL bad people, and I think it's pretty scummy to insult them just because they're shy and reserved!

Also annoyed by the smug posters who do that 'everyone says YABU' thing, when that isn't actually the case.

Robyrollover · 23/11/2017 23:09

footphobic - thank you for understanding

OP posts:
gingergenius · 23/11/2017 23:09

If it helps, I wanted to take my kind DS to help at our local homeless shelter on Xmas morning and they were all up for it but apparently for H&S reasons they are not allowed. Which means neither am I, as a single parent.

Just so you know we're not talking out of our arses about being alone at Christmas OP.

ButchyRestingFace · 23/11/2017 23:09

As a thought, those that are aghast at leaving someone alone for Christmas Day, I hope the morning of the 25th sees you collecting a soul in need from your nearest shelter or care home

I am spending Christmas alone this year (bereavement). But I've had time to plan and am going away. Smile I had an offer to go to a relative's, but really didn't want to impose on anyone and dread the idea of causing friction such as that described here.

I hope it all works out and you're able to enjoy the day.

KeepServingTheDrinks · 23/11/2017 23:10

I agree with those who say that your DH was VU for not checking with you first, and even more U as he does nothing to prepare for or 'do' Christmas.

FWIW, I also "got" the point with knife and fork comment (but then, I've read of LOT of the CF threads on here, so my mind immediately jumped to friend turning up empty handed, being expected to be waited on hand and foot, pigging all the booze, mocking all your family traditions and then buggering off without a thankyou and leaving nothing but skid marks in your loo!)

I agree it would be difficult and awkward to take the invitation away now though, and I do take the point of the majority on here about Christmas being the season of goodwill and all that.

So as well as making it CRYSTAL clear to DH that he's contributing 50/50 both in the run up to Christmas AND on the day, I would also ensure he has a quiet word with the friend to make sure he turns up with (at least) a bottle or a box or chocs for the host and ready to roll his sleeves up and get stuck in.
You COULD ask DH to amend the invite slightly so that he's not with you all day - maybe just for lunch or to come over after lunch and be with you for the evening.
And I'd def pre-warn the other relatives.

Am I right in thinking there's no children in this mix at all?

I hope it works out for everyone, and that you all have a better day than you're expecting.

footphobic · 23/11/2017 23:10

Xp there, tea sounds a good compromise.

Robyrollover · 23/11/2017 23:10

And you HildaWazzo. Restoring my faith! Smile

OP posts:
Becles · 23/11/2017 23:11

@catrin

Where are you based? If you are within striking distance of me, you're welcome to come for Christmas lunch (rather cobbled together courtesy of M&S)

Bluntness100 · 23/11/2017 23:12

No I couldn’t do it, your in laws shyness is their problem, they don’t get to dictate your guests. Yes your husband should speak to you in advance, but I could never rescind or reduce an invite as you are suggesting.

And this isn’t a stranger, it’s your husbands friend and someone you know.

I just hope op one year you’re not on your own for xmas. Karma really is a bitch like that.

There but for the grace of god, eh?

Robyrollover · 23/11/2017 23:12

KeepServingTheDrinks - glad someone got it BlushGrin

And yes, 5 children in the mix!

OP posts:
BMW6 · 23/11/2017 23:12

Why not tell your sister and BIL to put paper bags on their heads so they won't suffer the agonies of being introduced to a stranger?
Then as the day progresses if they start to feel more comfortable with him around they could take the bags off.

asprinklingofsugar · 23/11/2017 23:13

YANBU and I don't think you're being a bitch. I think I'm like your sister and BIL in that I can be very shy, and I am definitely an introvert, but once I get to know someone I'm perfectly fine- because I've got to know them and I'm comfortable around them. I'm perfectly sociable when I'm comfortable in the situation I'm in, and can make myself be sociable, when I am not totally comfortable (e.g. night out for a friends birthday, which may include other friends of hers I don't know), but it's extremely draining. I absolutely wouldn't want to have to do that on christmas - that's why I spend it with my family Grin

I would hate it if someone I didn't know (and presumably had heard very little about) was invited to what is essentially a family occasion- especially christmas, as there is so much societal pressure for the day to be really special. I would feel incredibly awkward and uncomfortable the entire time I was there. And- especially if there's more than one person like that- it would create an atmosphere so the day would be a bit awkward for everyone, and nobody would properly enjoy themselves. And might the friend not feel awkward being the odd one out? Again, I would if it was me, but most others maybe wouldn't. Presumably most of the chat would centre around your family and acquaintances as well, which he would have no idea about.

Your husband definitely shouldn't have invited his friend without consulting you first, especially if there was a big discussion about your sister and BIL coming. Is it just you and them, or are there kids as well? Because christmas is hectic anyway, but it's worse if there's kids. I remember wanting to go off and play instead of sitting listening to adults talk, plus potentially more noise and mess, etc. Especially if you're doing all the work - cooking, preparing, tidying, dishes, organising drinks, plating up, welcoming guests, coats and bags, organising presents? (Also, again, if you're swapping gifts with your sister, will the friend not feel left out?)

Yes, it's your sister, but they're your DH's family too, whereas it sounds as though this friend is only a friend of your DH and not yours. Also you should feel comfortable in your own home, and you don't sound very comfortable about the situation right now, so imagine what it will be like on the day! And I think a good host should be concerned with the comfort of their guests, and this is even more important if you know someone can sometimes be a bit shy, as they're less likely to ask for another drink, where the bathroom is, etc, and just be more uncomfortable around other guests in general.

Sounds like you're going ahead with it, but if you want an out (and your DH hasn't mentioned this to his friend already), you could suggest that he's says he's sorry, but he's forgotten that it was prearranged that your family's coming so there won't be room for him on xmas day - but he can, of course, come over on boxing day.

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