Grandma charges her family $45-a-head for Christmas dinner: 'My family are spoiled at Christmas'

We never went that far but I do remember slipping my mother money when we went home for Thanksgiving so she could continue making all of her usual Christmas cookies. Mom didn't really need the money but she certainly did appreciate the fact that we understood what was involved in continuing the traditions that we all enjoyed.
 
I think it's fair to chip in on a big family dinner.

Our family took turns doing that for a short time .. on my suggestion, as that's how the family in Oz has been doing it forever. It worked, but I think the family here felt uncomfortable about it, so then we tried going out to a smorgasbord/buffet place where everyone paid their own way. We're back to the old way now. I've always slipped a $50 under my sister's pillow when it's her turn (as it more than often is).
 

Strikes me as being a cheapslate's idea, and I'd never dream of charging anyone, but if everyone is "all in" with that arrangement, have at it!

Janet just said that if someone can't afford to pop for a sumptuous spread, but still wants to cook for everyone, then the pay to eat plan is a good idea.

For me, if I couldn't afford to buy all the vittles, myself, I wouldn't throw a big shebang for as many people.
 
One of my older sisters loves to entertain. She really puts on the dog. However, our family is quite large, and she often invites friends as well. With the cost of groceries going up some 20%, I don't think it's unfair to ask that family chip in. Also, she usually has 3 different types of meat .. really overkill, but, that's her style.

As for the thread topic - I think $45 head is exorbitant. $15-$20 for the food would be more reasonable.
 
Pinky said:
One of my older sisters loves to entertain. She really puts on the dog. However, our family is quite large, and she often invites friends as well. With the cost of groceries going up some 20%, I don't think it's unfair to ask that family chip in. Also, she usually has 3 different types of meat .. really overkill, but, that's her style.

As for the thread topic - I think $45 head is exorbitant. $15-$20 for the food would be more reasonable.
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Except, this woman uses the money to also buy tons of gifts, as I read it. Such a deal, "Overpay me for the food you eat, and I'll buy y'all some great gifts, with your own money!"
 
If the cost of underwriting a family gathering was beyond my budget, I'd ask if someone else wanted to host, ask my kids to contribute a dish, or make the meal simpler and less expensive to prepare.
 
Relatives always have contributed a dish to our dinners.
treeguy64 said:
Except, this woman uses the money to also buy tons of gifts, as I read it. Such a deal, "Overpay me for the food you eat, and I'll buy y'all some great gifts, with your own money!"
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Definitely not right to charge the family in order to buy their Xmas gifts.
 
It's polite to bring some dishes of food or dessert when you eat at someone's home, anytime of the year. I give my mom money to buy a turkey or ham before the holiday and bring food, too. She is on limited income and can't afford the added expenses.
I was a guest at a family dinner a few years back, where a nephew and his new wife were invited by the host at the last minute. The couple brought 5 additional people with them and didn't bring anything to contribute to the meal. The hosts ran out of some food dishes, but they made the best of it.
It costs money to put on a big dinner. If the host charges ahead of time and does all the shopping and cooking, it's kind of a win-win for everybody.
 
Says alot of things. Other family is taking these things for granted. Some attend out of obligation which keeps the cost high and the grandma might be over doing things. If events/gatherings like this need massive planning, budgets etc maybe it's really not in the spirit or as organic as many think.

That being said mooches should be have to learn to pay.
 
My son has Christmas at his home. I always chip in more than my wife and I eat. It's just what I like doing. No one sees me do it and my wife is the only person that knows that I do it. He always puts up a fuss, so I tell him that if he doesn't want it to either give it to one of his daughters or donate it.
 
Obviously the family enjoys this setup.

Quote
"It's going to be the full works, and nobody leaves until really late, as in the evening I get more guests coming too."

As with most things in life what works for one doesn't necessarily work for another. Whether prepping a big family meal or eating out we've paid for whatever the occasion was.
 
I guess it's a little disheartening to have to slip your nana some cash, so you won't have to sit at the "kid's table". But look at the bright side, she loves you enough to take your check.
 
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I make no judgement.

The article didn't mention her marital status as in a husband contributing to the household expenses. I don't know what those in the UK think about the cost of living. Does she make a lot or does she live on about £19,020 a year? Would that amount be considered a lot?

Could it be that the $45.00 ahead is the family & friends way of helping her in a kind way is what this is all about?

I don't know but look for alternatives in an article that has limited content.

Thought it might be helpful to mention I Googled this to see if I could determine what Grandma had as a wage since that wasn't in the article..

What is the wage of a end-of-life carer in the UK. I took what I thought was comparative
 

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