AIBU to not host Christmas this year?

[eqpi4t2hbsnktd]

We always host and pay for everything and my lardass bro sits around scoffing and drinking as much as possible. Really not looking forward to running around after him and his family again this year.... They live miles away and in a tiny house... also him and his GF don't work so have no money to contribute. He literally will not get his arse off the sofa and we have to hide food and drink so other people get some!

The only thing making me want to host is my very elderly mum who would be so upset if we don't... I just hate feeling begrudging. Like I want to want to be generous and welcoming... I want to enjoy hosting!

This

Your solution, during a cost of living crisis, to op being concerned her brother doesn't pay his way, is to suggest she buys and runs a whole new refrigerator???even a "small" one (as those under the desk tiny things only fit a few cans) is going to be a few hundred quid plus running costs i.e. way more than the brother would ever actually eat so completely pointless.

You also missed the point that "hiding the expensive stuff" wasn't the ops idea - someone else suggested it and OP replied "yikes" -indicating she didn't want to do this, which is completely understandable -nothing says Christmas and familial harmony like telling your five year old nephew he can have the iceland trifle while his cousins enjoy the m&s chocolate bombe because his dad's a scabby cheapskate.

With some of these suggestions I can understand why so many families end up arguing over Christmas.

Either host with good grace or don't host at all. Having some sort of two-tier system with guests hiding in the garage to quickly down a glass of nice champagne from the "good" fridge then sneaking back and pretending to enjoy the poundland bucks fizz everyone else is drinking is a recipe for disaster.

It’s a rush but have an early Xmas lunch with your mum and invite them round for 2:30pm, watch kings speech then send them on their way.

hosting is hard as you run round and then tidy up and don’t have any time with the family.

if you can afford it then take your mum out to a restaurant for Xmas lunch. Make sure she doesn’t get guilted into paying for brother. Then no tidying up and you can relax.
tell them there is no meal provided this year.

I don’t understand how they own their own home and don’t work.

They can do that on Boxing Day.

And at his house!

Just have a “quiet Christmas” this year with only your mum. And arrange a late morning /afternoon for the cousins to meet up on a totally different day (food for the kids, no drink for your brother).