Mother-in-law slammed for wanting to charge family members $30 each for Christmas lunch
Some have slammed the request as ‘rude’ and ‘horrible’, but others think the mum’s partner is ‘tight’ for refusing to pay.
This mum’s mother-in-law wants to charge $30 per head for Christmas lunch, leaving her partner “gutted” and considering celebrating elsewhere.
Her boyfriend’s mum is having four adults and their toddler round for a festive feast, but has decided cooking from scratch is too much effort — meaning she’s gone for a pricier pre-made meal.
Posting on Mumsnet, Staceyjas explained: “She said she doesn’t want to do it all from scratch and wants to get it all pre done so it’s more money, which I understand.
“But he’s gutted and feels like he wants to come to my family now.
“I can see it from both sides and it’s hard work and can be expensive but not like she is financially destitute.”
Her “gutted” partner has even offered to bring a dish instead of handing over cash, but his mum is adamant she wants money.
Stacey, who’s spending Christmas with her own parents, added: “This has never happened before and he has offered to bring the dessert etc but he said handing over cash just feels wrong.
“He says it’s about family not money.
“There’s 4 adults (including him) and 1 toddler attending. And if I was hosting I would not dream of askin (sic) for money just bring a bottle.”
The debate has split opinion, with many admitting they all “chip in” for Christmas lunch and others feeling horrified at the mother-in-law’s demands.
One mum commented: “That’s really tight it it’s just 5 people!!” and a second said: “If I could not afford to host, than I would not, it is very rude.”
Another woman wrote: “OMG! No! F**k, that is horrible. We host Christmas: buy the turkey and pudding, everyone else brings a dish eg sausages in blankets etc.
“That shares the cost and the work. Cannot think of anything less hospitable than setting the menu and demanding your ‘guests’ pay for it.”
And one woman slammed: “I wouldn’t dream of asking for money. How could anyone invite people for dinner and then ask them to pay for it?”
But others felt the request was reasonable, saying: “It’s really expensive to cater for Christmas dinner for a lot of people.
“I did it one year for my (better off than me) in-laws. It cost me over $709.”
While another woman wrote: “I think it’s fine to all chip in — either bring something or contribute money. But it has to be agreed.”
And one slammed Stacey’s partner, commenting: “I think your boyfriend sounds tight.
“Why doesn’t he give her the money a couple of weeks in advance so that it doesn’t feel to him that he’s handing over cash in exchange for a meal?”
This story was originally published on The Sun and was republished here with permission.