Did I Mess Up By Not Inviting My Sisters Boyfriend to My Birthday Dinner?

"AITA for excluding my sister's new boyfriend from my birthday dinner, causing tension with my sister over her relationship choices? Find out more."

Damjan

Published in Interesting
August 15, 2025

Did I Mess Up By Not Inviting My Sisters Boyfriend to My Birthday Dinner?

Are you the type to carefully curate your guest list for special events, or do you believe all significant others should be included automatically? A Reddit user found themselves in a sticky situation after hosting a birthday dinner and choosing not to invite their sister's boyfriend of 4 months.

The decision led to tension with the sister, who felt excluded and hurt by the omission. The user defended their choice by pointing out their sister's history of introducing partners early on, only for the relationships to fizzle out quickly.

They wanted to spare any potential awkwardness if the new relationship didn't last. Despite explaining their reasoning, the sister remained upset, leading to a strained relationship between them.

Reddit users weighed in with varied opinions, some sympathizing with the user's desire for a comfortable celebration and others emphasizing the importance of inclusivity in family events. Questions about communication and sensitivity arose, highlighting the complexity of balancing personal boundaries with familial expectations.

Have you ever faced a similar dilemma when it comes to inviting significant others to events? Share your thoughts and advice on this AITA post.

Original Post

So I'm (27F) and I recently hosted a birthday dinner for 8 close friends and family. Everything was great until I didn't invite my sister's boyfriend, whom she's been dating for 4 months.

Sister Theresa got upset, saying he's 'basically family.' Now, we're barely speaking and she's distant. For background, Theresa has a history of jumping into relationships quickly and bringing partners to family events early on only for things to end shortly after.

I wanted to avoid any awkwardness or making him uncomfortable if they break up soon. Despite explaining this, Theresa took it personally and feels like I don't value her relationship.

I've tried reaching out, but she's been cold. So AITA?