AIBU to think this is a complete waste of bloody money now?!

[TheScreams]

For Christmas, DH booked us a weekend away. In reality, what that means is that at 10pm on Christmas Eve, DH realised he hadn’t bought me a bloody Christmas present and so booked an airbnb hut on a campsite for next weekend. He spoke to a relative we were staying with for Christmas and they agreed to have DS and DD for the weekend (booked from Saturday to Monday). I tried to be grateful at the time and not express that it was bloody obvious that he’d thrown it together at the last second and not given it a single second of actual thought.

He spoke to the relative a few weeks ago and they told him they can only look after DS and DD from 8pm Saturday until 8am Monday. So, we’ll get to the campsite from midnight on Saturday and will have to leave by 4am on Monday. He’s also not planned anything for the dogs so they’re coming too - so, on Sunday, our only day there, we can’t do anything that’s not dog friendly. But DH didn’t think to mention this until today.

I live in a bloody national park so I’m not sure why my Christmas present is travelling across the country, for “two nights” where I don’t get a decent night’s sleep on either and then get to have a dog walk and to sit in a pub for the day. I could bloody well do that two minutes from my house!

It’s bloody non-refundable. It feels like a complete and total waste of time and money to go on this trip. AIB a complete bitch to be completely ungrateful for this “gift” that actually just sounds like shit?

Its not just that the weekend is 2 long drive hours late/v. early to cold accommodation with shared toilets whilst OP needs to work around her BF schedule. Its that now that OP has said she doesn't want to go - he STILL can't admit it's not a good choice and is accusing her of 'ruining the weekend'. Erm....but the weekend away was supposed to be a gift for her . So basically he wants her to go along with something she has said she doesn't want to do, as her Christmas present from him.

I think the answer is that he’s arranged childcare for you to have a lazy Sunday at home without kids. If you spend it together or not depends on if he understands just how much he missed the mark on actually making a weekend away work. Because he failed big time.

Feel free to buy OP's booking and book yourself a mini-break.

A 28 hour, or less time away that will include an additional 8 hours driving, dogs to deal with, trying to get into the campsite at midnight or later on Sat/Sun, leaving at 4 am early Monday and driving all the way home sounds about as relaxing as a root canal without any anesthetic.

It sounds rubbish. I wouldn’t go.

Yer you’re being really ungrateful. From some one with all dead grandparents and not one night away for the whole of adult children’s lives. You have a chance to spend a weekend with someone you love , and have someone who will give care and joy to your children….I would say make the most of your break.

We have a winner ^^

Please share with us, what could ha possibly have thought would be fun about this trip? Is there even a shower in the place?
This sounds more and more like something HE wanted to do and used Christmas as his excuse to be able to do the trip.

It's YOUR gift. Do with it ONLY as you see fit. I am in the sending him with the kids and dog and having two nights of p&q.

I would buy him either a sky-diving or candle-making experience for his next birthday.

When asked why, say lamely that you "thought he might like to try it" and then act all hurt and offended when he tries to wriggle out of it.

I love a box in a field with no power but the joy in places like that are getting there early, making the fire up, a simple supper, talking, playing cards and a bottle of wine. Then a slow get up and taking time over cooking breakfast, time to be together and to escape the rush. Most of which you will not be able to do. Arriving so late to a freezing box ! One night at a really lux hotel nearer would be far more fun! and as I say I love a bit of off grid

Heck, I don't even know you and I am very po'd FOR you.
Yes, there are people who enjoy roughing it and don't mind treking to the toilet in the middle of the night, or digging their own latrine, bathing in a cold creek and rubbing two sticks together to make a fire. I am NOT one of those people and it sounds like you are not either.
Of course it's going to get good reviews! People who enjoy roughing it will praise anything that results in them not getting eaten by a bear during the night.

I have to say that it has made my DH's gift to me on Mother's Day 40+ years ago of plastic flowers, a pack of licorice and a pressboad plaque that said something strange or weird (trauma from it has made me forget what it said), not such a bad gift after all. At least it cost less than $3.

Is he usually a thoughtless, lazy spendthrift?

Honestly YANBU - it seems like a bit of an ordeal as opposed to a nice break.

I see it is non-refundable but is it transferable to another date? If so at least you DH could have time to organise proper childcare and dog-sitter etc so that it could be a more relaxed break even if it’s not your cup of tea

At least the prison would have indoor plumbing and electricity!

I am gobsmacked that some seem to think this is a nice gift for THIS woman at this STAGE. I think they are not exactly reading the whole thing, or they like to please their man above all else.

Picture this. No eleccy, DH getting schmoozy with you but you've no idea whether it's him or the damn dogs licking your inner thighs or whether the raspy doggy breath is DH coming to a climax or one of the mutts getting jiggy with it.
Sounds like a lorra lorra laffs if nothing else and a wet Monday morning spent in the solicitors office.

What can we say your married to a complete fucking selfish twonk; this year give him a list in September of what you want & expect for Christmas & make it clear if he fucks up this year he’s on the sofa for a month !!

I absolutely love camping and glamping in yurts, shepherds huts etc and even I would HATE this in the circs (bf baby/ long journey/ selfishness of DH).

I would pretend to be unwell and send him with the kids.

The real issue is the childcare has changed, which now means the break is going to be more stress than it's worth.
What's the betting op will have to pack for the children, for herself and for the dogs?
I'm sure if op could have had two decent nights sleep, she would have made the most of it, but this isn't a relaxing breakaway.
I guess the only positive is given it's the beginning of the Easter holidays the traffic won't be too bad at those times!

I enjoy that kind of holiday but arriving at midnight and leaving at 4am would just not be happening. Its too horrible to contemplate. Add in the dogs , the need to express milk whilst there and there is no way I would consider going.

To no bathroom, no electricity?

No. He goes, she stays.

Asked my partner, who likes hiking, camping etc. and is bad at coming up with present ideas, whether he'd buy this as a present for me.

His response was: GOD no. Unless murder was the goal.

(Not sure whether his or mine).

I'd be perfectly happy with this if

1. it was actually full nights
2. he had organised childcare and
3. he had organised dog care
4. I wasn't having to express!

Don't mind the electricity/loo thing so much. Quite fancy hut with a wood burning stove.
(although after sex pee half way across campsite would be a serious bummer)

He has failed miserably on the basics

I would go but I'd go by myself. Head off as early as possible and get back as late as possible. No kids, no dogs and no hubby.

I love a few days away by myself. Peace and quiet and no one to consider but myself.

Hubby can stay at home and sort the dogs and kids.

I assume he told OP on Xmas day that he had just booked it the previous night, or perhaps even said so on Xmas eve after he booked it.