SIL invited us over for Christmas but changed the plan

[Noresto]

SIL invited us over for Christmas.

She initially said she had a surprise for us, so I'm unsure whether it is actually a change of plan or if it was the surprise all along.

She just told us that instead of hosting the Christmas Dinner at hers and bil's, we would go out to Karen's dinner to have dinner there (it is apparently open tomorrow afternoon!)

She also asked us not to explain the concept of Karen's diner to my parents and PILs.
So she essentially wants this to be a huge prank and thinks it would be hilarious. She likes trends and I guess wants to follow this one but I think it's taking it too far. She's got a few thousand followers on her Tiktok account, so I'm assuming she wants to film the experience for views (it wouldn't be the first time).

AIBU to be miffed as it essentially means no one has done any Christmas food shopping (besides sides and drinks that we were planning on bringing) and gutted we would be eating fast food burgers and to think this is not funny at all?

Tell your parents, DH can tell his parents, and leave the “prankster “ to it.

Tell her to f*ck off.

Really? How insulting.

I'm "the older generation" and know exactly what this would mean.

How old is your SIL?!🙄

Late twenties

Glad it's not happening and hope you have a nice Christmas dinner. FWIW, I hate the thought of that place too - it sounds abhorrent!

Thank you so much!
You as well! xx

Nope. Not funny. I wouldn’t go.

Phew! Lucky you found out it was closed today, isn't it!

I didn’t know the concept and just googled it - rude waiters and being forced to play games? My idea of hell.
For me personally burgers wouldn’t even be the main problem, but enforced “fun” and interaction definitely would be.

Well, it is a "roast" dinner [runs away]

free advertising for Karen's, is it

Made me smile!

Negative advertising is still advertising, I guess?

Very clever @SequinsandStilettos

Meant to also add

Usually I’d be up for this, but not on Christmas Day!

Tell her you'd rather have dinner at home, do a bit of research and then give her the 'Karen's Diner' experience whilst filming her
See how she likes it
The Twat

She's using you for likes - it's not funny it's totally selfish and I wouldn't feel comfortable being filmed for her profit

Your SIL sounds like a selfish twat whether or not she was serious, it was a prank she was talked out of or she was trying to 'test' you. Either way I would have told her to F off and made my own plans.

This!

If they are likely to be upset or disappointed at all, I wouldn't risk that. I think she has a warped sense of humour and should consider other people's feelings.

While it makes it an easy Christmas meal for her (and of course, her "likes" 😒), it isn't nearly as relaxing for her guests as sitting in a family home, sharing a meal together, enjoying a few drinks, conversation, daft games, a Christmas film on the telly etc.

It's not nice at all. If you could all pull the makings of a meal together and have it at one of your homes, it would be much better.

SHe's very selfish!

I also feel heartily sorry for any diner staff who are having to work today, poor souls!

Oh - sorry. Just realised that it isn't a thing any more.
As you were, folks.

And happy Christmas

Does she have some sort of serious social impediment? Why hasn't your BIL (I assume that's her husband) stepped in to advise her? It's not OK, and if you couldn't talk them out of it, you definitely should have warned the other family members.

It's sorted @wackamole

She sounds like a twat!