MIL is coming to ours on Christmas Eve until at least the 28th and informed DP (I'm gay) that she won't be getting a stocking this year as 'you're not with us for Christmas.' All fine - she's 27 and this is the first christmas that things have changed and they are coming to us rather than us going to our own families.
We are hosting all of DPs family (8 of them) for 2 nights and seeing my parents either side of christmas (they are fine with this and have elderly parents to consider too).
MIL started to mention last weekend about BILs stocking. He is 24 and has gone back to university after previously dropping out. He comes home for the holidays. DP asked when MIL was planning on giving BIL stocking. The plan is for him to sneak down at 7am on christmas morning and open it on his parents bed whilst the rest are asleep and we do breakfast. DP mentioned to FIL that whilst she doesnt want to deprive BIL of his stocking, she feels a bit left out of what used to be a family tradition and would have liked to open presents together. DP did say to MIL too 'well we are together Christmas so I dont understand' - it's not that she wants a stocking (she isn't materialistic by any means) but doesnt want a door shut on her in her own home on christmas morning?
MIL is very fun but can be cold. Last Christmas DP confronted her about an emotional affair with a man she had met on an online game (MIL constantly on her phone) and this year, we have decorated and brought a new bed to ensure there is enough guest space but been met with quite incessant criticism (the latest being that she couldn't understand why I wasnt just serving bisto gravy and that cooking for 10 was the same as 4 until FIL reminded her that she had a spare oven in the garage and her sister had cooked the turkey in advance! She is also refusing to confirm that she will keep the dog off the sofa and from jumping up and scratching the table, both of which are new. She just laughs at us when we mention it).
Who is BU?
I'm a bit sad for DP. I will of course buy DP a stocking eventhough we agreed no presents to save money (we have only received £100 betwen all 8 of them to host for 5 days) as a surprise but I feel that she is hurting more than she is letting on about how her mum is treating her. When she found out about the affair, MIL came into our room and told me that she 'had to do what was best' for her as DP was now my responsibility. I know it's their choice how they spend their money but am I wrong to be a little disappointed that they can't put a little stocking together for their daughter who is on the one who sees them regularly and does a lot for the family as opposed as well as just BIL who unfortunately is reliving his 18 year old fresher year?