Money Moral Dilemma: Should I say it's your turn to pay for Christmas dinner?

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  • Gilly_the_Filly
    Gilly_the_Filly Posts: 4 Newbie
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    I've hosted Christmas dinners for 5 years for my husband's family (sometimes for 14 people!) and have always loved it. I also host the odd dinner throughout the year and would never have dreamt of asking anyone for money. They also do not bring anything with them (they don't drink alcohol, so don't bring me any, although I could do with it after cooking for that many sometimes! and don't think of flowers/chocolates, for some reason!) One of his brothers has now started hosting the odd family occassion during the year and has invited us all over whereupon we've been offered the menu from a Chinese & we order it by phone, he goes & collects it and the price is split 4 ways (4 families. Only my husband and small child eat it as I have coeliac disease, so I have to bring my own food anyway.) When my mother-in-law told us recently about the dad's birthday being held at said house, I asked if we were going to be buying our own food again as I think it's a bit silly to host, but not provide anything but a venue, it has all become frosty and the parents then paid for all the food (from take-away again) and we were treated to a rather unwelcoming home to eat at. I would advise you just pay up, say it's a great idea for future gatherings and keep your opinions to yourself as frostiness is not worth the money. Vent about it in a private, safe place and keep smiling in company. Merry Christmas!
  • Pollycat
    Pollycat Posts: 34,686 Forumite
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    Gilly_the_Filly wrote: »
    I've hosted Christmas dinners for 5 years for my husband's family (sometimes for 14 people!) and have always loved it. I also host the odd dinner throughout the year and would never have dreamt of asking anyone for money. They also do not bring anything with them (they don't drink alcohol, so don't bring me any, although I could do with it after cooking for that many sometimes! and don't think of flowers/chocolates, for some reason!) One of his brothers has now started hosting the odd family occassion during the year and has invited us all over whereupon we've been offered the menu from a Chinese & we order it by phone, he goes & collects it and the price is split 4 ways (4 families. Only my husband and small child eat it as I have coeliac disease, so I have to bring my own food anyway.) When my mother-in-law told us recently about the dad's birthday being held at said house, I asked if we were going to be buying our own food again as I think it's a bit silly to host, but not provide anything but a venue, it has all become frosty and the parents then paid for all the food (from take-away again) and we were treated to a rather unwelcoming home to eat at. I would advise you just pay up, say it's a great idea for future gatherings and keep your opinions to yourself as frostiness is not worth the money. Vent about it in a private, safe place and keep smiling in company. Merry Christmas!
    I think it's quite rude to go to someone's house for dinner and not take anything at all, especially when the host (you) is putting such a lot of money and effort into it.

    I also think it's inconsiderate to invite people over and order food for a large number of people when one of those people paying for it is unable to eat it.

    Your OH's family don't sound particularly nice, being 'frosty' and 'unwelcoming'.

    I think in the circumstances you describe I wouldn't be keeping my opinions to myself.
  • mai_taylor
    mai_taylor Posts: 220 Forumite
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    If the host can't afford it then they shouldn't invite people round. Go to another families house and take a few items and offer to help out.
  • Pollycat
    Pollycat Posts: 34,686 Forumite
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    edited 16 December 2016 at 12:04PM
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    mai_taylor wrote: »
    If the host can't afford it then they shouldn't invite people round. Go to another families house and take a few items and offer to help out.

    The original post doesn't say the hosts can't afford it - just that they want a kitty this year.
    MSE_Megan_F wrote: »
    For the past few years we've had the family round to ours for Christmas dinner, and paid for most of the food and drink. We've been invited to my sister's this year, but now they suddenly want a kitty for us all to chip in, should I say something?
    Sometimes, the people with most money are the meanest.

    Or it may be that the person who is hosting has the most room to accommodate people but doesn't have the cash to be able to buy all the food and drink.

    It may be more comfortable to be sat round a large dining room table than perched on plastic garden furniture eating at a card table.
  • Mojisola
    Mojisola Posts: 35,557 Forumite
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    mai_taylor wrote: »
    If the host can't afford it then they shouldn't invite people round.

    Why should one family member carry all the cost of a big family celebration?

    Big events were usually held at our house because we had the space but everyone coming contributed to the meal - one family would bring the turkey and trimmings, another the puddings, etc.

    We did the veggies and other things that needed last minute attention.

    Everyone sat down to a meal that was a real family effort.
  • gaving7095
    gaving7095 Posts: 168 Forumite
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    No. Presumably they've asked because they can't afford it & just want to be with family. Help them out.

    Also, remember it for next time when it's your turn again - they've set a precedent so whether or not you can afford it, if you want to ask people to chip in then do :-)

    The scenario seems strange to me, in those circumstances regardless of who is hosting I would expect ALL guests to offer or even insist on bringing something, from booze to snacks to a desert or side.
  • ButterflyLC
    ButterflyLC Posts: 51 Forumite
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    Similar situation with my sister this year. She has been at ours for Christmas dinner, Hogmanay and New Years Day for the last few years and I have provided everything no question. In fairness she does ask if she should bring something, so I always suggest something to drink with dinner (fancy soft drinks, nothing alcoholic) or a small dessert, but I am always happy to provide. She then tends to buy something only she likes. Now we are going to hers this year, we are expected to bring everything for dinner. She is just tight though. We did calmly say you can't invite people for dinner and then a week or 2 before tell them that they have to provide their own dinner.

    Personally I would mention that is not how you have done things every other Christmas so this one should be no different. I wouldn't contribute to a kitty but I would bring a dessert or something.
  • Pollycat
    Pollycat Posts: 34,686 Forumite
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    ButterflyLC wrote: »
    Similar situation with my sister this year. She has been at ours for Christmas dinner, Hogmanay and New Years Day for the last few years and I have provided everything no question. In fairness she does ask if she should bring something, so I always suggest something to drink with dinner (fancy soft drinks, nothing alcoholic) or a small dessert, but I am always happy to provide. She then tends to buy something only she likes. Now we are going to hers this year, we are expected to bring everything for dinner. She is just tight though. We did calmly say you can't invite people for dinner and then a week or 2 before tell them that they have to provide their own dinner.
    So how did she take this?
  • Spendless
    Spendless Posts: 24,151 Forumite
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    Personally I would ignore the request and only if directly asked would I reply 'Oh, didn't think you were including us since we've hosted and paid for everything every other year'

    The exception would be if you are far more financially secure and they are struggling.
  • Murphybear
    Murphybear Posts: 7,279 Forumite
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    Ladyhawk wrote: »
    I had a similar situation...ish.

    I was invited by a newish friend to join her and her friends for Christmas dinner on Christmas day. I already had plans for a big family lunch so said I'd join for a drink in the evening.

    When I arrived they were just sitting down and insisted I eat something as there was so much food.so I picked at a few bits. The next day my "friend" asked me for £25 contribution. I coughed it up and now we are ex friends (well that's not the only reason... her demanding and unreasonable behaviour was getting more and more out of hand)

    That is appalling. :(
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