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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Seething at MIL and her Christmas plans

382 replies

Christmasoutlaw · 29/09/2025 18:58

Name changed for this. Invited my parents and DH’s family for Christmas Day dinner. My mum is going through chemo and it’s import for me to spend this Christmas with her and the kids but didn’t want DH’s parents to feel left out. All accepted and all good.

A few days later MIL text DH asking if her sister, her DH and her young adult children were going to be invited to which DH politely said no as we simply don’t have the space to host another 5 adults as it was going to be a squeeze as it was. MIL went quiet for a few days and has now announced on the group chat that Christmas will be held at theirs as they have enough space for everyone and will be hosting.

This is just the latest in a long line of little annoyances but I’m feeling really enraged by this one. Of course we can choose not to go and have a quiet Christmas just with my parents and kids but I know DH will miss hanging out with his siblings not to mention the emotional blackmail he’ll get from his parents for not going.

I know I’m being a bit unreasonable because in fairness, I’m sure MIL would be happy to have my parents as well but they live in the opposite direction to my mum and dad so it would be around an hour drive each way for them and I’m not sure my mum will be up for it.

I’d much rather do our own thing at home and I’m coming round to the idea of spending all the money we save on hosting loads of people on having a fancy Christmas (M&S fanciness) instead but dreading the inevitable fall out when MIL doesn’t get her own way.

OP posts:
MissIonX · 09/11/2025 12:34

@Christmasoutlaw how have things been left?

thepariscrimefiles · 09/11/2025 12:56

itsgettingweird · 29/09/2025 20:09

That’s exactly what I thought!!!

Your MIL is totally within her rights to host for all her children.

You are totally within your rights to decline to host your mum.

But I don’t think you are right to be annoyed at Mil for wanting her family at Christmas -‘she did ask if her other DC could come and you said no.

All MIL's children, i.e. all OP's DH's siblings, were invited for Christmas at OP's house. It's MIL's sister and her family that weren't invited.

ednaclouda · 23/12/2025 21:05

Fleur405 · 29/09/2025 19:05

Adults who have tantrums when they don’t get their own way are only able to do that because all the other adults around them put up with it.

Just tell her you’re sorry she can no longer make it to yours. And then crack on as planned!

get your DH to explain to his DM we have other plans I do apologise

Autumnleaffall · 29/12/2025 06:48

By saying the issue was space you have muddied the waters because it’s really about your mum and what she needs because of the chemo. Sometimes people don’t understand what that’s like and MIL may never have known anyone who has been through it. Talk to her. DH can pop over after dinner to see family. Explain that you’re mum would be exhausted by a large gathering.

WhistPie · 29/12/2025 11:06

@Autumnleaffall

Christmas day was on the 25th December this year, it's now the 29th December. Christmas has been & gone so your advice is a bit late.

HTH

Autumnleaffall · 30/12/2025 08:09

Save it for next year. It keeps

Costcogroupie · 31/12/2025 17:37

Respond ....

.....Of course, completely understand. We'll miss you here but wishing you all a lovely day and very merry Christmas ....

.....And carry on with your own previously agreed plans.

Husband can run himself ragged ricocheting between houses if he wants.

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