AIBU to think my American neighbour is taking this too far?

[MelaniaLovesLemon]

She’s already invited us to Thanksgiving (yes, in September) and has given me a little to-do list...
Bring a casserole, make miniature turkeys out of whole walnuts(?), and have something prepared to say about what we’re thankful for, and I need to bring my own chair. She’s quirky, loud and brash with a weird husband, and has a habit of turning up unannounced with crazy schemes.

Recently she came for an aperitif in our cute garden, and practically inhaled the entire tin of prawn cocktail Pringles that I was saving for my DS and then simply helped herself to another glass of wine without asking, apparently she wants that wine for the dinner?

Another time she invited me round at 9am to taste test three different types of stuffing, for the Thanksgiving. I could not possibly eat all that at 9am!

I don’t know if I’m being rude thinking this is all a bit much?

Ooh, I like your style OP. Please invite me to be an aperitif guest. I’m happy to contribute (nothing ‘crafty’ involving walnuts or similar though). Obviously, Pringles for your boy would be on the list. 🙂

Your neighbour's party actually sounds quite fun. It's sweet of her to invite you. We don't do Thanksgiving in Australia, either, so I'd be inclined to go out of curiosity and the chance to meet new people and have a dance. "Walnut turkey" to me, as a vegetarian, would be a green light to make a delicious nut roast, maybe with the cute ornaments on top.

I'm normally a curmudgeonly git, not into rituals, but this party sounds promising. And you can bring some droll British humour to your "Reasons To Be Cheerful" list. (See Ian Dury and the Blockheads 😉)

She’s living away from her home country and just being friendly, I think it’s nice to be invited, experience another custom, you might even enjoy it.

That sounds like a horrible event-I'd give it a swerve 100%
Then the loon will have to stop asking you to make walnut turkeys or whatever.

The pisshead in question

YABU to call your garden cute. And YABU to slate her for eating the Pringles and having another glass of wine. But I'd nip the thanksgiving stuff in the bud now or you'll be stuck with it every year!

So many negative comments on this thread. Thanksgiving is very important to the Americans. Why wouldn’t you just be happy to go and embrace the day? If you are really against it then just say no. I certainly wouldn’t want someone coming to my house who didn’t want to be there

I read it as though it was missing the inverted commas - it's a very American description and I thought that was how the neighbour described it. Otherwise though - yes utterly odd.

No, I thought that as well!! An oven - ready turkey carved out of a walnut!! 😳

Why would it be horrible if you’ve colluded with the piss head in question? I don’t understand ? Surely colluding with them means in some level you’d have enjoyed the experience too?

Oh I'm loving this thread. How it showcases the generosity of Mumsnetters who won't police their Pringles and wine, and are rightly wary of cute gardens 🤣
I think it's worthy of going into Classics along with P*s Beaker

If it's so awful, what would be wrong with, Thank you so much for the lovely invite, but we can't make it this year, in future? Surely a polite refusal isn't beyond most Brits?

It’s genuinely made me feel like an amazing host just because I put out food and don’t judge people for eating it. And a wonderful neighbour and friend as I embrace whatever we are invited to do and find out more about other people’s traditions. And an adequate adult as I just kindly say no to things that I don’t want to attend. Go me!

I’m so confused… So she’s putting on thanksgiving but is telling you to bring the food, drink and decor?
mid you don’t want to do the walnut turkeys just drop the walnuts back and say you don’t have time or the skill for it.
are others also invited? Is everyone bringing a bottle and dish?

If you don’t want a guest at your home to “hoover up Pringles” then don’t make them available, and if you’re judging her on her preference of snack (which is apparently also your husbands preference) then you’re a basic snob on top of insinuating she’s gluttonous and stupid. Pull out, let her have a lovely thanksgiving without you pissing all over it, and have a word with yourself.

Hey, I'm American and I am mortified by this description. I get that we can be a bit forward, but when in Rome, people!!

I'm all in with Americans, they are great people (the one's I've met anyway) and I also think they don't take offence like the British do. I'd go to the Thanksgiving bash, I'd stick some felt on a walnut to make a turkey look alike, make a dish to take round and have a great evening. If you really don't want to go to the next event you'll no doubt be invited to (American's are friendly) then just say you can't make it or just don't want to go. Job done.

sounds like some of you could be a little less un-fun

this!👏🏻

Omigod I would so go to this! Can I go in your place?

so that's not at all what this poerson said. yikes

how many Americans do you know personally?

Sorry, were you part of the war? How dare those rude, boisterous Americans

WHAT?! 🤣🤣