Money Moral Dilemma: Should I say it's your turn to pay for Christmas dinner? 8 December 2016 at 3:13PM edited 19 December 2016 at 3:17PM in Special occasions & other celebrations 52 replies 32.3K views

Former_MSE_Megan_F

This week's MoneySaver who wants advice asks...

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?

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7roland8

Have they said how much? Just co

ntribute a ittle and then ask for a contribution if they are with you next year

scotsbob

Some members of my family would struggle financially to host a family meal, other members wouldn't.


I'm sure you are not the type of person who calculates the value of every gift received in order to return one of the same value. Therefore I think you should contribute if you were asked to.


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an1179

It depends on their circumstances but I would have thought that they would make you an exeption due to your previous years' of hosting Christmas. If they are hard up perhaps bring your own drinks

Sean_Burn

Damn right you should tell them to pay, too many takers in this world. If there are legit circumstances then let them explain then you have a chance to negotiate, but if you set a precedent by chipping in...it will always be there.

grahamb_2

Too right you remind them you have paid the lot before! I have a similar problem with my sister in law who has run to us at Xmas for years. Last year we were invited to hers but were asked to provide the turkey and desert. She`s coming back this year but my wife will not let me ask her (tell her) to provide something - plus sis in law has asked if we can pick her up and drive her home!

Beat that!

pollypenny

Just remind them, very gently, that you have hosted Christmas for X years.
Certainly take drinks.

Pollycat

Wouldn't it be really helpful if the original post told us something about family finances - whether the 'OP''s family is better off than the sister who is hosting this year?

All things being equal, I'd point out that my family had hosted - and mainly funded - previous Christmas dinners so it seems a bit unfair to be asked to chip in this year.

However, depending on the dynamics of the family, this may cause a huge rift so might be better just sucking it up and paying up.

But this would then set a precedent for future years where all guests chuck some money into a kitty.

happyinflorida

Grrrrr - again more info needed before being able to answer

1 is your sister financially not able to pay for all of you
2 has she explained why she's asking for money to be paid, ie are they buying more expensive things for everyone?

If she's financially the same as you are and you've paid for years, then you should explain to her why you are unhappy about her request

Talk

Talk to the people concerned, not us

Holygrail

Agree with all the above. Only thing I would add to the post from happyinflo is that sometimes it is good to get non-interested parties opinions. They can add insights which the OP of a dilemma may not have thought of.

VfM4meplse

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?

I find monetising the event in this way the height of bad taste.

If the host had any sense she'd make it a planned "bring a dish" event which would save her on the prep too.