I'm coming under pressure to stay with a relative and her family for a few days over Christmas. Invitation comes up every year and for the last few years I've made excuses because their house is absolutely freezing and it's just miserable staying there.
No matter how cold the weather is they never ever put any heating on during the day. It's an old and very draughty house in the middle of the country so it gets extremely cold at this time of year. They switch the heating on at about 6 in the evening and, a couple of hours later when the house is just starting to feel less cold, they switch it off again.
It's not a money issue. They both have good jobs, go on nice holidays, have decent cars etc. They just don't seem to feel the cold. To add to the problem they often leave the back door open so that their two dogs can wander in and out.
They sounded a bit hurt when I made excuses again this year and I feel a bit guilty. AIBU not to go?