Aibu to feel annoyed in laws have invited friends over on Christmas day

[Indiaplain]

We are visiting my PiL for Christmas - they live abroad so this happens rarely. My MiL was delighted we are going. However she called DH today and casually mentioned they had also invited some friends over for Christmas Day.

Im feeling annoyed as it changes the whole dynamic. My teenage DC were not looking forward to it anyway (very long journey, not much to do there, very rural plus they are not close to the PiL) - neither was I but thought maybe a good opportunity for them to spend together, and was trying to think positively. Aibu to feel so annoyed about this?

They’re big drinkers as are most of their friends so now I’m thinking it’s going to turn into a big drunken session (MiL has brought a karaoke machine - my DC’s nightmare tbh!).

So long as they don’t forget the red carpet you’ll all be fine. Have a great Christmas Karaoke. Even I would partake after a few wines and it being Christmas.

Sounds really fun

It's their Christmas and this is what they do. Surely the more the merrier, especially for your DC to meet new people?

It’s their home and they’re probably excited at spending it with family and friends and you all getting to see their life. It will probably go better than you think and your dc will have a laugh

I think this sounds brilliant - surely the more the merrier! I don’t really understand your reservations. When there’s more people you can sort of dip in and out of proceedings and do more of your own thing.

Were they actually invited though? The OP just said that they were going and the MIL was delighted about it. They may have invited themselves.

Yikes, board games on Christmas Day would definitely be ‘fetch the karaoke machine’ territory for me

Sounds like it will be great fun.

I’d cancel

Can I go instead?

I would hate that but it’s their house.

And karaoke would be fetch the board games territory for me.

I'm surprised how popular karaoke is on this thread. It's my idea of hell.

I would be annoyed too. This happened to me - my parents started randomly inviting friends of theirs to boxing day dinner, the only day me & my siblings would be getting together in theirs. It totally changed the whole dynamic and conversations and pissed me off. We never got together all of us any other time of year whereas they saw these friends all the time.

Topped only by one time they invited us for a Sunday evening dinner for a birthday or something, then actually left while we where finishing coffee as they HAD to go out to their local social club (that they went to every week several times a week). So why invite us over? We had to lock up for them on the way out.

Demonstration of priorities.

It's their home and they can invite who they like. Suck it up. They might be a lot of fun.

Karaoke is never fun for those who don't like it though. The teenagers dislike it, so it won't be fun.

Oh I don’t enjoy it but at least it’s a sign of fun and enjoyment in general.

Getting the monopoly out would send me straight to bed.

Maybe their friends are nice people and they are invited over because PIL want to introduce them to their son, you and grandchildren? I do think it's a bit controlling of you - PIL are perfectly entitled to invite whoever they like to their home!

And karaoke with strangers will probably make it worse

<shudder>

Take a game your kids will enjoy. It will be fine. We don’t get every occasion tailored to our own desires once kids are old enough to get it.

Not much you can do about it now but it certainly shows their priorities. Of course it will change the dynamics however nice their friends are.
I think people who are saying that you are unreasonable and controlling don’t understand the reality of the situation. The grandparents don’t have close relationship with their grandkids so it’s their rare opportunity to establish some and they are using it for something different.

Well, it's a family bonding experience. Grandparents have every right to invite the entire town & do karaoke; it's their house. I'd prep the teens (mine would be collectively appalled) & offer a cash bonus for belting out a few numbers. Bonuses for enthusiasm, tunelessness, & wildly inappropriate lyrics.

I'd also be supportive of any child who bolted to bed early, but frankly, I'd be encouraging noisy & silly compliance with subsequent piss taking.

It’s one day, not a disaster. If your dc aren’t keen they can surely retreat to another room and play a game.

I think yabu, it’s their house. When I read the title I thought the in laws had invited guests to OPs house!

Lots of pearl clutching over a bit of karaoke!

I think it sounds like a hoot! The friends of theirs might come every year and might be more like family to them.

Nothing to stop board games being played too.

I’d look forward to this as a way to try something different on Christmas Day but as someone who doesn’t drink beyond a couple of drinks I’d be a bit worried about being around those who like a good drink in case things got nasty.