As anyone who has ever hosted the annual Christmas feast will know, the hostess is usually left with the mostest debt.
To most party-throwers, it’s all a part of the annual Christmas budget, cleverly squirelled away throughout the year, but one mum who tried to challenge the status quo in an effort to save some cash has divided opinion online.
The woman took to Mumsnet to explain how she had offered to host Christmas dinner for her other half, her mum, her three sons and their partners and children.
Because it has been a difficult year for her family financially, the woman’s son suggested she ask her guests to chip in to help cover the cost of the “huge joint of beef that everyone wants”.
The request for a donation of £5 a head was not well received.
The woman’s mother was particularly put out by the suggestion “saying she is a VIP and after all she has done for us she shouldn’t have to do tribute towards her own dinner.”
“Mum has just had a sizable inheritance and is in a better position than any of us to contribute.” the woman shared. “I would let it go, I know it seems petty, but as a matter of principle it has pissed me right off that she has this sense of entitlement above any of the rest of us- and believe you me she is no more entitled!”
Asking for readers to share their opinions, she asked if she should “insist she chips in or just f*cks off and has Christmas dinner elsewhere?”
Other group members were quick to reply:
“Don’t offer to host if you can’t afford it.” said one. It’s nice for people to offer to contribute either some money or dessert or wine but you’re effectively charging them to come for dinner.”
AgentProvocateur agreed: “You can’t host and ask people to pay. If you can’t afford beef, do something that you can afford.”
NotTodaySatan said: “The idea of trying to force people to chip in for Xmas dinner makes me cringe. Why did you agree/offer to host if you couldn’t afford it?”
Meanwhile TheSparrowhawk had more empathy with the hostess:
“I would definitely expect people to bring things with them – a cake, a bottle of wine. Most families would be grateful that someone is hosting and offer to chip in. Asking is a bit rude, but your mother’s reaction is way over the top.”
MadHattersWineParty asked: “Was it your idea to have everyone for Christmas? If you did the inviting I don’t think it isn’t great to ask everyone to contribute actual money.”
What do you think, is it ever okay to ask your dinner guests to contribute to the cost of the meal? Let us know on Twitter @HerFamilydotie.
