To be angry at sisters Eras tour present??

[Grealish]

I have two tween DDs who are Taylor obsessed atm. Was gutted when I didn’t get a code to get them tickets.

Well yesterday my sister came round, and told me she had a surprise for the girls. Three eras tour tickets for me and the girls!! The girls (and me) were so excited, youngest ran off to show her aunt what outfit she was going to wear, and oldest kept announcing that it was the best day of her life.

and then my sister said: “it’s a good thing your DH has the weekend off too, he can drive you to the airport!”. Well I felt like bingo in that one episode of bluey. Airport? I’m not going to the airport?

Turns out the tickets are in London. This Sunday. We live in Ireland. My sister bought the tickets, but now I’ll have to book flights and hotel. I have work on Monday so I’ll have to try book that off. We have a family holiday coming up as well as my best friends hen party so really do not have the money for flights and a hotel, if I can even find a hotel this late notice.

I just wish she’d come to me first before telling the girls, as now I’m either going to have to crush their dreams or somehow find a few hundred quid to get us all to London.

AIBU to be so angry at my sister (even tho I think she thought she was doing a nice thing.) and to think that a present should not put the recipient out of pocket…. Sorry I actually don’t even know what I’m expecting people to say back I’m just in need of a good rant.

Try the YMCA, family rooms in most budget hotels and just get supermarket food. Treat it as an adventure.

Annoying for you but the kids will remember it forever

There is a ridiculously cheap but horrendous journey possible from Bus aras, ferry, train and or coach that can get you there for pittance.

Accommodation is I imagine go as far out as possible and nab anything. For the once off I would do it . You can sleep when you come home .

sail and rail price includes train. Should be well under €300 for all of you.

I see you can now by sailrail tickets on the irishferries website. Also the trainline website.

I mean, she’s a billionaire. I’m not at all socialist and I don’t think billionaires should be allowed to have more than $1bn. She could likely do the tour for free and still be a millionaire. She hardly needs the ticket money.

And I’m a fan flying abroad for one of the shows (and paid €179 per ticket).

I'd be annoyed as well. Hope your children enjoy it though.

Have your sister take the girls.

And sort the travel, accommodation, etc.

I can understand why you are irritated but imo wouldn't express anger to her as it is gift that was trying to have good intentions, although it does seem a case of poor execution. Here can be a good place to vent for sure!

So, actually, this is not a planned thing to annoy you but a lucky chance that she has chosen to pass on. I do see why you are annoyed but please try to let it go and give your kids an unforgettable trip.

Wow best present ever!

She should have asked her first rather than go straight over her head to the kids with basically "look what I've got you, kids!"

I’d suggest joining “London Irish accomodation” group on Facebook as there are a lot of Irish landlords who may have an air bnb / cheap accomodation for the night.

also, look at flights from Belfast. I fly home tonight for a funeral and I’m saving about £300 by flying to Belfast and driving.

Someone used the word ‘thoughtless’ above and while she yes jumped too soon, thoughtless to me means selfish. I don’t think this is it. Best of luck op, Id do it definitely (from someone who lives in Ireland and had the chance to do something kind of similar- go to London for a concert the kids would have adored, but I was in a bad place at the time health wise and I HUGELY regret that I didn’t try)

It includes the rail tickets so amazingly good value.

You could fly into Cardiff, or a closer city (and stay there) and get a megabus back and forth to London. It would probably work out a lot cheaper, lots of travelling though 😬

It might mean that to you (weirdly) but thoughtless doesn't mean selfish. The two words have completely different meanings!

It was thoughtless, not selfish

This is the type of thing that my husband will do. I always groan but never end up regretting doing whatever it is he has booked.

The Taylor Swift concerts are just amazing and although it's a pain I would put a lot of money on you being glad to have gone.

You and your sister are going to be the best Mum and the best auntie ever!

Your sister could have sold those tickets for lots of money so she has been very kind to give them to you.
Yes she should have asked but I'd forgive her.

I hope you get everything sorted and I hope you all have an amazing time.

Hm it's a bittersweet gift. Travelling to concerts is an absolute pain in the arse when they're fairly local let alone a flight away. Can your DH come with you and drive there? You can then get a hotel outside London which would be a lot cheaper.

?ts cost mint ,flight be the same????

Nice idea but not thought through . She should have spoke to you first before telling your children .

I get that you’re upset and your sister should’ve spoken to you first. But .. can you get really cheap Ryan Air flights? Do you know anyone in London you could stay with?

🖕move heaven and earth to do this for your girls.
Great sister btw 🫂

Your sister sounds bonkers!! I would 100% make her pay for the flights and hotel. What a thing to do without even mentioning it to you first before telling the kids. I would be livid. If you have to tell the children they can't go, I would make sure they know that it's her fault aswell.

Okay I think I’m just going to do it! Sent a text to a third cousin who I haven’t spoken to in years in London and she said she’s got a blow up bed in a sitting room.

Trying to decide between flights or the rail and sail that PP have mentioned. Sound very good value!

I think we will just have to cut back on a few day trips and meals out on holidays- but I think my girls would much rather see Miss Swift than go to a waterpark.

Am still silently raging at my sister, especially as I had never mentioned wanting to take the girls to London for this, but hearing them sing along to Taylor in their bedroom and my older girl teaching her sister all the different ad libs- I know I can’t not take them.

thanks everyone who gave very good practical advice, especially the lovely person who offered us a place to stay!

Now time to search my wardrobe for my best eras outfit!!!

Not me😂. I posted about my sister and a gift for a day trip to London. But I was paying by for everything. And there was no concert involved.

I would never give a gift that costs the recipient money. In this case I would have paid for the flights and hotel - and I would have gone too!

I might not have checked first though🫣