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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Annoyed at DD's friends birthday party on Christmas Eve

253 replies

ShabbaRAnkzz · 23/12/2024 20:26

DD has been invited to her friends birthday party tomorrow (Christmas Eve). It's from 12-4 and parents have been asked to attend / stay with the children.
This takes out a block of Christmas Eve when I've got so much other stuff I need to do.
Its one of my daughters clotest friends so I will need to attend.
AIBU to this it's a very inconvenient time?

OP posts:
Downtherivers · 23/12/2024 20:27

If the child’s birthday is in March then of course they shouldn’t have a birthday party tomorrow. If their birthday is tomorrow, or even Christmas Day, then of course the child wants and should have their birthday party tomorrow

Noshowlomo · 23/12/2024 20:28

I wouldn’t go to this

mathanxiety · 23/12/2024 20:28

RSVP with regrets.

This is an absolutely daft idea.

DoubleFunMum · 23/12/2024 20:28

Are you joking? The poor child has their birthday at Christmas and you want their parents to have their party at some time that is more convenient to you? Right! YABVU in my opinion. Be glad it's not you trying to throw a party on Christmas Eve.

Isyesterdaytomorrowtoday · 23/12/2024 20:28

How old are they? The bday party on Christmas Eve wouldn’t bother me but the ‘parents have to stay’ really would… too late to pull out now though

NiftyPeachDreamer · 23/12/2024 20:28

How old is dd?

Tell the mum you have to do the Xmas shop so will need to drop dd off and leave.

TickTockPolly · 23/12/2024 20:29

I think it’s great for them to have something to enjoy and tire them out on Christmas Eve. But if you cba you should have declined.

Mumdiva99 · 23/12/2024 20:29

Well having an Xmas eve child myself I can sympathise with the party throwing parents. We usually had parties before term ended or first weekend back in school in January. But its a bit rubbish when a child can't celebrate on the actual day.
You could just decline the invite. Or you can schedule it in and enjoy the time. It might be lots of fun.

Original poster
ShabbaRAnkzz · 23/12/2024 20:29

Noshowlomo · 23/12/2024 20:28

I wouldn’t go to this

I have to attend because the birthday girl and my daughter are great friends. I think a celebration on Sat or Sun would be been much for suitable.

OP posts:
DangerMouseAndPenfoldx · 23/12/2024 20:29

Is it actually their birthday on Xmas Eve? Thats really key.

mathanxiety · 23/12/2024 20:29

It's just plain rude to ask parents to stay with children at the best of times. If you can't manage a small crowd of children (by yourself or with the help of hired teenagers), don't have a party.

Marblesbackagain · 23/12/2024 20:30

You obviously were invited before today, you can't cancel Xmas eve on their birthday that's miserable.

MajorCarolDanvers · 23/12/2024 20:30

It’s having to stay that’s the problem. Are they too young to stop and go?

LittleOwl153 · 23/12/2024 20:30

When is the kids birthday... if it's the 24th the it is what it is... and will likely always be that day. (Says the parent of a new year's day baby...)

SometimesCalmPerson · 23/12/2024 20:31

If that’s when the child’s birthday is then it might be inconvenient for you but it’s right for the birthday child. You could have declined the invitation if you couldn’t make it work.

MrsPeterHarris · 23/12/2024 20:31

If it's her actual birthday on Christmas Eve, then fair enough but otherwise it's beyond annoying!

I wouldn't care how close they were though, I'd decline the invitation.

DappledThings · 23/12/2024 20:31

Sounds like a perfect way to entertain potentially hyped up children on what's otherwise a bit of a non-day. I'd be delighted.

Dueanamechange2025 · 23/12/2024 20:32

I would have loved something to occupy excited kids on Christmas Eve when they were younger but 4 hours for a party is a long time on any day of the year (plus many people still work Christmas Eve).

OnlyWhenILaugh · 23/12/2024 20:32

How old are the dc?
If so young that they need parents to stay, then 4 hours is a long party!

Original poster
ShabbaRAnkzz · 23/12/2024 20:33

DangerMouseAndPenfoldx · 23/12/2024 20:29

Is it actually their birthday on Xmas Eve? Thats really key.

Her birthday is on Christmas Eve but they could have had it Sat / Sun. Most kid's birthday fall on a school day and they have the party on a Saturday or Sunday

OP posts:
AnotherDunromin · 23/12/2024 20:33

mathanxiety · 23/12/2024 20:29

It's just plain rude to ask parents to stay with children at the best of times. If you can't manage a small crowd of children (by yourself or with the help of hired teenagers), don't have a party.

Not true at all. DS is 5. None of his friends has ever had a "drop and go" party - the parents have always stayed.
It totally depends on how old the birthday child and their guests are! If they're 14, yes, it's weird and annoying. If they're 4, it's par for the course.

TeenLifeMum · 23/12/2024 20:33

Presumably they didn’t drop this on you today? Just plan better. Have you really left everything until tomorrow? A birthday party sounds like a perfect distraction to get dc sleepy and to bed early on Christmas Eve.

so much of the drama on mn is over nothing.

OnlyWhenILaugh · 23/12/2024 20:34

ShabbaRAnkzz · 23/12/2024 20:33

Her birthday is on Christmas Eve but they could have had it Sat / Sun. Most kid's birthday fall on a school day and they have the party on a Saturday or Sunday

Edited
Show quote history

If it was my child I would have chosen another day. Plenty of people travel on Christmas Eve or have other commitments. Party is rarely on child's actual birthday

Nikitaspearlearring · 23/12/2024 20:35

If you've had plenty of notice and it's her actual birthday then YABU. You just have to get all the other stuff done earlier so that you've got that afternoon free.

Original poster
ShabbaRAnkzz · 23/12/2024 20:36

TeenLifeMum · 23/12/2024 20:33

Presumably they didn’t drop this on you today? Just plan better. Have you really left everything until tomorrow? A birthday party sounds like a perfect distraction to get dc sleepy and to bed early on Christmas Eve.

so much of the drama on mn is over nothing.

Sleeply at 4pm??

OP posts:
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