Our T-day dinner tasted great. It should, since I cooked it all. My sis in law A forgot to inform us she was busy when we planned months ago. She showed up at 12pm today and called her mom and grandma to come. Dinner wasnt until 6, since my bro in law and his family had his wife's family stuff to attend at 1pm. First thing my mom in law says when she arrives is that we should have already had the turkey cooked. It was all I could do to not scream at all of them. I am sick of mom in law and grandma only worrying about themselves and my sis in law A. Every family function is centered around A who has no children and arrives late to everything without the stuff she said she'd bring. I cooked the food she was supposed 2 bring today in addition to the turkey, dressing and casserole I was making. I also had a house full of way too early guests. How do I nicely tell my husband's family that we aren't hosting Christmas festivities here? They are just too demanding and self centered!
2007-11-22 15:46:20 · 7 answers · asked by MomOfThreeBoys 3 in Family & Relationships ➔ Family
Oh, well I was perfectly clear on what time it was, but my sister in law decided that since she couldn't make it at that time, she wanted her mom and grandma to come early. They didn't help me, and they were complaining about "starving" all day when they knew full well that we all agreed on 6pm so my bro in law and his wife and 3 kids could come. The sis in law seems to over ride anything anyone has planned.
2007-11-22 16:00:15 · update #1
Unfortunately their may not be a nice way to tell your hubby's family that your not hosting Christmas . I can feel your pain since I used to cater to demanding outlaws. I consider myself lucky that my husband was transferred out of state! A good suggestion may be to meet very informally on Christmas Eve or the day after Christmas. I would not meet at a meal hour. Plan something for say 2:00, swap presents, say your pleasantries and leave. Make some excuse like lets have a chance to spend time together when we have a little more free time. I bet your hubby was as stressed about the situation as you are. You will have to deal with them, so why not make it as stress free as you can. Good Luck!
2007-11-22 15:57:16 · answer #1 · answered by Rebecca K 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hang a "The kitchen is closed" sign on the front door. And the next time you do decide to host a holiday dinner, or any dinner at all, inform everyone when dinner will be served and stick to it. It should be at your time, not everyone else's. You have to allow time for clean up as well, and from what you have mentioned, I doubt that they offer any help in that area either. When the appointed time arrives, go ahead and begin eating dinner. If they arrive later, they can fix a plate and heat it in the microwave. Ahhh! The wonders of technology! Once they have to nuke their plates a time or two, they'll learn to get there when dinner is to be served.
2007-11-22 15:53:29 · answer #2 · answered by randmthots 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well..You need to be more clear on what you expect..
I used to tell my guests that we will eat at a certain time. It is up to the guests to arrive on time. If they say we have to go here or there first and will be late, you can then say, we will miss you, and your welcome then to come for dessert. As for Christmas your husband should be a man and tell his family you are not doing Christmas this year..You are the hostess it should be your call on what you do or not do..Also I bet these people are that way the rest of the year too.
2007-11-22 15:56:09 · answer #3 · answered by Cinnamon 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Families are MADDENING, no doubt about it! You have a valid complaint and you should be able to get some understanding from your husband about it. Hopefully you can talk and work something out that will work for both of you. That's the only way to go with this. Make sure he understands how you feel. Good luck....you are a good woman covering for everyone and making Thanksgiving dinner for the family!
2007-11-22 15:51:26 · answer #4 · answered by KC 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could make it clear that you're taking it for granted that SOMEONE ELSE will host Christmas: "Oh, by the way, who's hosting Christmas this year? I wanted to know what I should bring."
Or, you could simply make your own plans away from home (dinner out, perhaps?) and if the inlaws decide to just assume and show up, they find the door locked and have to fend for themselves. Cold, perhaps, but effective.
2007-11-22 15:53:43 · answer #5 · answered by Katie W 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
do you have family to go to?if none close then why not suggest that sis-in law host Christmas since how she has no children and it would be a great help to you since how you have the children's Christmas shopping to attend to
2007-11-22 15:54:19 · answer #6 · answered by ldhotlipps 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why be nice about it? Tell them you are taking the year off and your family has made other plans. You cannot be walked all over unless you lie down. Don't forget this is your holiday too.
2007-11-22 15:51:26 · answer #7 · answered by tjnstlouismo 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋