- Location
- the post-brexit wasteland
sister in law has sent around an email to several family members saying how they would like us to all attend her husband's (my wife's brother) birthday in bloody northern ireland (nowt wrong with the place, other than it is a long way from us (macclesfield), and them (bramhall). none of the other invitees is based in ni either, indeed the furthest lives north of dundee) 
wtf, a minimum £300 just to get there (c£150 each for the room b&b for two nights, flight c£50 each), never mind food, drink, airport transfers etc, and that's without considering the cost of taking our three kids.
is it just me, or did it used to be that you organised (and paid for) a party and you invited your guests, who need shell out for no more than a bottle, prezzie and possibly a new party frock/suit/jeans?
so those of the family that can afford it will go (presumably), while the rest of us sit it out (nice way to create a family occasion). on top of this, sister in law works for an insolvency firm (and boy is she busy at work at the minute, you'd think she would be aware that there's a recession going on), has considerably under-stated costs and, the final turd in the water pipe, knows it's my 40th the week before. does she really think my wife would want to spend £600+ on her brother's birthday when (if we had that sort of money) she could be spending it on her husband (my wife's words, not mine)? we didn't make a fuss of my wife's 40th last year due to cash flow, so it's not as if they think we're swimming in money.
lucky ones my arse. we either skint ourselves or look like cheapskates. i've already politely let them know we're priced out, as i don't want to have to make up excuses. why they don't just go there on their own for a nice weekend away i don't know…
wtf, a minimum £300 just to get there (c£150 each for the room b&b for two nights, flight c£50 each), never mind food, drink, airport transfers etc, and that's without considering the cost of taking our three kids.
is it just me, or did it used to be that you organised (and paid for) a party and you invited your guests, who need shell out for no more than a bottle, prezzie and possibly a new party frock/suit/jeans?
so those of the family that can afford it will go (presumably), while the rest of us sit it out (nice way to create a family occasion). on top of this, sister in law works for an insolvency firm (and boy is she busy at work at the minute, you'd think she would be aware that there's a recession going on), has considerably under-stated costs and, the final turd in the water pipe, knows it's my 40th the week before. does she really think my wife would want to spend £600+ on her brother's birthday when (if we had that sort of money) she could be spending it on her husband (my wife's words, not mine)? we didn't make a fuss of my wife's 40th last year due to cash flow, so it's not as if they think we're swimming in money.
lucky ones my arse. we either skint ourselves or look like cheapskates. i've already politely let them know we're priced out, as i don't want to have to make up excuses. why they don't just go there on their own for a nice weekend away i don't know…
, its his son's 5th on Thursday. At this time of year it means a car trip, I don't really fancy a 36 mile cycle in the dark on possibly icy roads. I'll wait til Thursday and make it a combined trip; why cant they have birthdays at other times of year 
