My wife was offered a Christmas Day ticket to go see her absolute favorite football team play in box seats. When she told me about it I pretty much responded with an assumption that she wouldn’t go. But boy was I wrong. She fully intended to go. I expressed my displeasure at the notion as Christmas is kind of a big deal for me. Initially that did not seem to bother her at all.
A few weeks later I explained why Christmas is so important to me. My father and I both served in the Marine Corps and so Christmas was a holiday that we have had to miss at times but we would always do everything in our power to make happen. One of my most cherished possessions (which sadly got lost in one of my many moves) was a card from him while he was deployed that showed a Marine in his Blues in the snow looking at a house celebrating Christmas and he wrote that lyrics to I’ll Be Home For Christmas on it.
For a little background we have three kids 8, 7, and 2 (but almost 3) but the older two are from a previous marriage of mine (but they consider my wife their second mom). We have the older two for Christmas this year and a part of me is worried that they will see their step-mom not necessarily caring about the family holiday.
Idk. I want her to enjoy seeing her team but this is just terrible timing. What do you all think, AITA for not wanting my wife to go?
Edit: She was offered one ticket and we live 2.5 hours away from the stadium.
YTA. How often do you get to watch your favorite team in box seats?
You can have Christmas the day before. It’s not a big deal which day it happens that you get togethr with your kids and eat and open presents. These tickets seem to be something your wife would enjoy. This is something that can be solved with some schedule rearrangements.
[removed]
whoooooooboy. If I were offered box seats to my favorite team on Christmas Day 100% I would be going and my husband would not even question it. Yes, it’s on Christmas Day – but you can shift your celebration and/or celebrate with her on a video call or some other way. But what you DON’T do is tell a football fan to turn down box seats to her favorite team and expect it to go well. Why is your priority more important? Because it’s yours? Figure out a way to make the holiday time special AND let her go. It will be a priceless memory for her. Why would you want to deny her that?
ETA: YTA for sure.
YTA. This is a once-in-a-lifetime box-seat chance, Christmas can be flexed. Plan Christmas Eve magic, do stockings in the morning, FaceTime at halftime, big dinner the next day. Support her joy and model that for the kids.
YTA. Your wife didn’t create the football schedule and has to work with what is given. You can be flexible with the celebration, be it earlier, later, or a different day.
You don’t want the kids seeing you controlling your wife. You should be happy that she got the opportunity instead of seeing it as a slap in the face. The kids will see how you handle this and remember it. Be a good role model.
YTA. Big. How about being happy for her instead of making it all about you?
YTA
It’s one Christmas. If it becomes an annual thing that be one issue. If she has and this fall in her lap, especially with box seats on Christmas, then it’s far less likely to happen again.
You can celebrate in your style of Christmas other years. It sounds like you’re currently not active dirty Let her have this since it’s something she enjoys so much.
Frank reality is too, even if she says “it’s fine” she’s likely always going to have the missed opportunity in her mind.
YTA. Kids want to do Christmas at the crack of dawn everything after that is for the adults. Lots of families celebrate the holidays in a variety of different ways. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for many people.
When I was like 12 years old my parents got tickets to the Cowboys Thanksgiving Day game. At the time I was so offended. I informed them they were ruining the holiday! All us kids went to our grandparents’ house as usual and they went to the game. Now I’m an adult and just laugh at how dramatic I was. It had no long-term impact on my life or my feelings in any way, shape, or form. It’s one holiday. Let her go have her fun and have a nice time with your kids at home without her. It will be fine.
Idk man, if you really love your wife, you should realize that free box seats to see her team probably comes up even less than Christmas does. NAH, but I’d hope my future partner would never guilt or deprive me of such an opportunity
I’ve seen this exact same story but it was a guy who wanted to go and his wife who said no. I can’t wonder if this was not created just to see if the answer would be different if the gender was swapped.
YTA there will be other Christmases but she may not ever have this opportunity again. Also you don’t have to celebrate Christmas on that specific day you can do all of your Christmas festivities the day before or the day after there is no reason for her to be there on that specific day.
YTA. Let your wife have fun without you projecting your daddy issues onto the situation.
This is probably a once in lifetime chance for her to get this. Box seats are ridiculously expensive. Let her have it this one time. It’s not the end of the world. It means a lot to her. Be the bigger person