Well, I've had three HS graduations thus far, SS24, SD22, and SD19. SS24 and SD19 are DH's children, and SD22 is the SD I "inherited" from my first marriage.
All graduations have not been without drama.
When SS24 graduated, my relationship with DH was in its "baby stages" and it was TERRIBLY uncomfortable. DH sat in the row in front of BM and her parents with his parents (their divorce was in the works) and my kids and I wound up sitting a few rows away without planning it that way. My SD22 had friends graduating, so we attended. I wasn't there because it was SS's graduation, even though we had known he and his family for a few years at that point.
Weird. Awkward. Uncomfortable. Especially since everyone knew DH and I were dating, but BM had told everyone that he and I began dating BEFORE they split.
I know. Shocker.
When SD22 graduated, there was different drama. She continued to live with me after XH and I split. He left the state, but had *promised* to attend her graduation. At this point, the HS only allotted a certain number of tickets for admission. SD didn't really want him there, and told him so. DRAMA! I must have turned her against him. LOL. Her BM, however, also wanted to come. SD finally agreed to it, so we wound up hosting the graduation dinner and inviting BM. Weird. We hosted a small graduation party at our house the day before, and BM was invited to that, too. Double weird. Dh is a saint.
Then SD19 graduated last year. DRAMA! She didn't want me there, DH said he wouldn't go if I didn't go, blahblahblah. Tickets were again required. I didn't want to go, DH insisted she invite me, then tickets were no longer required. (Not enough seniors qualified to graduate. Nice!!) I didn't go. DH went alone. It just wasn't worth it.

Now...it's DS18's turn. God help me, there are a limited number of tickets. We moved and the HS has nearly ONE THOUSAND graduating seniors. So...four tickets each student. People who want to attend and have PLANNED on attending include:
DH, SD22, DS15, DD12, grandpa and grandma, uncle and aunt. There are others, too, but not people who would "expect" to attend if limited numbers were available. XH and his entire family have nothing to do with our children.
So...shit hits the fan. DH has graciously offered to stay home, as he feels it's more important that I, my two bios, and SD22 attend. SD22 already has a plane ticket out. My parents are PISSED. First, they think that uncle and aunt should attend. Aunt is brand new to the family and uncle is...well, God in my parents' eyes. They are totally offended that he is not included. THEN it occurred to them that there aren't enough tickets for THEM.
Hmm. They seem to think that SD22 should not go. I mean, she's "mostly" their sister, but... WTF? She's been their sister in every way for their entire lives! They also seem to think that ALL of the kids should stay home, and the four tickets should be me, DH, and them.

Help me out, StepTalkers. I view "my family" (and thus DS's family) as me, my kids, and DH. DH is offering not to go. Why should I leave all of my kids (SD included) home just to take the grandparents?

Now, they HAVE been close to DS for a good portion of his life...they are also the parents who threw me out on ear when I had him. (Long story.) Kinda pisses me off that they're feeling so entitled. Any thoughts or suggestions?
Am I missing some other option?

There are no additional tickets to purchase. There will be a raffle at some point, but nothing is guaranteed.