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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

The dreaded annual bbq

117 replies

Applecrumble79 · 07/04/2019 11:53

Partner has a spring bbq every year for his family and friends . I’ve attended the last 3 but quite frankly dread them all. I really am fed up of going and contributing financially when I just don’t want to be there. I just don’t connect with the family. I’m polite but none of them really make an effort to try to get to know me. His family is female dominated so I know very much how females can be. I’m thinking of excuses not to go already is that bad ?!

OP posts:
speakout · 07/04/2019 15:05

OP you don't live with your boyfriend, he is entertaining his own family in his own home.
You have no financial obligation towards any of this.

If you feel you must attend then I would turn up with a bottle of wine and a smile, eat a burger and leave after two hours

Dippypippy1980 · 07/04/2019 15:13

What are none of your friends and family invited?

Your boyfriend has a party for his people, it’s not hosted by you as a couple. He shouldn’t be taking your money.

If you feel you have to go take a nice salad and a bottle of wine. Sounds like you are a guest not a host. And guests don’t have to attend😊

maeb · 07/04/2019 15:38

Applecrumble79

I can see where you're coming from. My OH has quite a dysfunctional family on one half (parents split and had other families). I think he feels like a father figure to the half-sibs as they are a few years younger and their childhood was chaotic (so was his TBF).

The women half-sibs, were horrendous to me from the get go. Plus they always expect us to pay for everything, even though there is 5 of them including partners and children!

Anyway, we took over hosting the annual family get together a couple of years ago and we lay on everything (Maeb's gone to Iceland!Wink Defo not Waitrose!) and I just suck it up.

For me it gets it out of the way. They have to drive an hour+ to get here so they can't drink much and can't stay too late. It's much better than going to one of their homes.

Also, OH can't complain that we don't make an effort to see them or when I invite my family to stay (even though he actually really loves my family and they love him too)

But they had their many chances and as far as I'm concerned I'll give 2 days (one for prep and one for clean up!) once a year and that's it.

DuckbilledSplatterPuff · 07/04/2019 15:47

Apple C..

  1. it doesn't make any difference to this issue if you are a man, woman, gay or straight.
  2. I think you need to sit your partner down. Ask flat out... "why do you want me at this event. Your family make no effort with me and some of them are rude to me". He should be talking to them about this. Especially the rude one who demanded to know what contribution you had made!!! If he can't listen to this or make your time at the BBQ less awkward then tell him you won't be going.
  3. Are you a co-host? or just a helper and financial contributor? If he wants the last two things, it should be a joint event you should have some of your friends and family there too. Even just a token number. Then its a more acceptable event for you too. Then you can talk to your friends, not have to do more than smile and say hello to his family but be officially present as The Partner.
  4. Invites should say Bring a bottle from now on.
DuckbilledSplatterPuff · 07/04/2019 15:50

ps.. If you are contributing invites should also say Partner and Apple C invite you to a BBQ. That should shut Mrs "What have you contributed" up.

arethereanyleftatall · 07/04/2019 15:51

To the £500 comments. It's fairly easily done. Dh and I host an annual bbq, it's (one of) our contributions to a big group of friends and family who all reciprocate throughout the year. Normally a lamb on a spit (£150), stuff to go with (£50), Prosecco x 15 bottles (£150), beer (£100), g & ts (£100), cheese and biscuits (£50).

cabcab · 07/04/2019 16:03

@arethereanyleftatall is that all a lamb on a spit costs? Where about safe you, I'm sure it's at least double here! Misses point of thread!

bluegreygreen · 07/04/2019 16:07

Applecrumble79

Are you the person who gets upset with his partner when he gives presents to his (partner's) brother? Apologies if not - there's a similarity in the writing.

In this case, if you don't live with your partner and don't like the BBQ you shiuld simply make a polite excuse and not go to it. Contribute if you feel you want to, otherwise not.

BlueSkiesLies · 07/04/2019 16:10

Don’t go don’t pay don’t moan Mrs misery

Your DP obviously enjoys it and likes hosting. Just tell him you hate his family and hate his bbq.

WhatToDoAboutWailmerGoneRogue · 07/04/2019 16:16

Why would you feel sorry for him? If it’s something he’s done for years and continues to do year after year he obviously loves doing it.

How did you end up putting towards it - did you offer or did he ask?

arethereanyleftatall · 07/04/2019 16:34

@cabcab in the north. But that's just for lamb itself, from a farm. We have our own spit so do it ourselves. Feeds about 50.

Stifledlife · 07/04/2019 16:40

We used to do this. Hundreds of pounds spent and hours of preparation and no one even talked to me. I might get the odd comment from one of the elder family members, but DH's family are insular, all 20 of them.

If I tried to join in, the group went quiet. If I insinuated myself stealthily I had no idea what the conversation was about because it was all ancient family history.
They ate everything in sight (and we provided a LOT- enough for 30-35 people) and drank us dry. They would arrive at 11am and leave in the small hours of the next morning, usually when the booze ran out.

In the end I decided I would facilitate, be polite and charming, but basically act like staff. I put things in the oven and took them out when done, I collected plates, glasses and cutlery, washed and put them out again, I refreshed the food plates, I filled glasses and at 11pm, I went to bed. No one missed me.

Finally, one year DH realised that a) he was the only family member that threw this kind of a party. b) I got nothing out of it c) his SIL was so pissed that she had gone home in our son's size 2 school shoes, leaving behind her leopard print boots and he realised that it was more about the pissup than the family having fun by being together.

We still go out with the whole family, but everyone pays their own way and it's no longer a 16 hour marathon, because it's at a restaurant.

cabcab · 07/04/2019 16:42

@arethereanyleftatall sounds amazing!!

arethereanyleftatall · 07/04/2019 16:47

It is. And actually, quite a bargain at £3 a head for a decent hunk of lamb.

JenniferJareau · 08/04/2019 06:48

I felt sorry for him feeding everyone for free!

Well if he hosts a BBQ what did you expect to happen? Of course he will provide the food and some / all drink. If his family choose to turn up empty handed that is for him to deal with but only if he wants to. I'd always turn up with some wine and / or other drinks but not everyone is the same.

Magenta82 · 08/04/2019 07:31

The word "females" is incredibly dehumanising and comes across as dismissive and misogynistic. It is an adjective that denotes sex and needs to be attached to a noun, for example "female cat", "female reproductive system", or "female computer lead", the word for female human is "woman".

When you use dehumanising language coupled with lazy stereotypes you are going to annoy a lot of people and it will reduce your chance of getting helpful replies.

Your post comes across as contemptuous of your DP's family, some of this may be deserved, but your post suggests that you think yourself above them. Maybe stop thinking of them as "bitchy females" and think of them as important women in your DP's life.

Holidayshopping · 08/04/2019 08:05

We used to do this. Hundreds of pounds spent and hours of preparation and no one even talked to me.

I’m actually amazed you did that more than once!

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