To think this is a little odd, and rather rude actually?

[Selks]

I have my children's Grandmother and their Uncle (ex's brother and mother......don't ask!!) coming for Christmas Day.
The uncle is vegetarian and I have no problem whatsoever offering a good veggie option for him, happy to cater to his specific likes and dislikes in terms of the actual dish etc etc.
But my offer of cooking an option for him has been turned down - they reckon they will bring a supermarket ready meal veg lasagne for him.
AIBU to want to cook for everyone, provide a nice meal and not have a ready meal eaten at the Christmas dinner table? It feels like a snub towards my cooking quite frankly.
I'm a tolerant person and generally let stuff like this go, but this is irritating me. I would prefer to cook for everyone. Or am I being precious?

For anyone suggesting they are invited after Christmas dinner, that's not possible as they will have travelled from the other end of the country and will be staying in a B&B locally over the Christmas period.

I understand where you are coming from OP - I think I'd feel the same in your position.

Having said that, I do think everyone else is right - if he wants to bring his ready meal then leave him to it. It's one less thing to do after all. I'd focus on all the other stuff you have to do!

UriGeller...yes to the holly on top. Maybe I should flambé it too?

Selks we aren't vegetarian, but we often have a veggie Christmas dinner, just to cut down on the stress of dealing with a roast bird of any sort!
It sounds like you would be doing yourself a huge favour by going with a totally Veggie Christmas dinner.
How would MIL react, though, do you think she'd be put out (I bet she would...)?

My MIL always seems relieved if I suggest taking the main veggie bit of the meal with me when we go for lunch, especially when she's cooking for lots of us!

You'll know best whether your ex-Bil is trying to be helpful, or just making some point of his own, OP, but I do always offer to take food with me, even to friends, if I'm invited for a meal, because I know it is all extra work, if they're having to cook something separate for one person. (The offer is taken up, more often than refused, btw!)

My SIL is veggie so I do her the protein option, different cabbage (ours is done with lardons), veggie gravy, veggie roasties (non duck fat), veggie suffing (no sausage meat) so it's not just the lack of turkey.

I enjoy cooking for us all. I plate up for everyone and all the extras for second helpings are veggie so we all enjoy the same things.

I'm guessing they think they are saving you hassle. You can just point out all the veggie friendly options and see if he'd like some anyway. No big deal.

Those of you who are saying IABU are of course right. UriGeller's succinct post has done the trick and I shall embrace the day, crap lasagne and all. Thanks for helping me get some perspective.

I don't think you're being unreasonable exactly, but agree with the advice to just let them get on with it. Put the lasagne on a nice plate, it will be finished before you know it and you can all get on with pud :)

I'd go ahead and cook as planned. Guarantee you that when he gets there, sees the nice spread and is assured that it is definitely vegetarian safe that the ready meal will stay in the freezer.

"I shall embrace the day, crap lasagne and all."

You have said that you are BU, but unless you're eating it, I don't see why you are bothered, he isn't your only guest, it means that you can cook in any manner you want to.

I am Vegan at home. I will drop to Vegaterian to celebrate someone's Birthday, but I am still very choosy about what I pick. I won't eat any animal product that isn't Free Range etc.

I find that Vegan ready made foods are far superior than meat based cheap ready meals, so what he is choosing to eat May not be "crap".

I am taking my own Christmas dinner to my Daughters, I am having to possibly drink non Vegan alcohol and the odd food.

If I go over a certain quantity/quality then I spend at least a day on the toilet.

I don't think that people should be forced to drop their Ethics or health, when avoiding do both is so easily avoided by taking your own food.

I think celebrations are about getting together and everyone enjoying themselves, including what they are eating and drinking.

You can't win, as a Vege, your either making unreason demands, or are being insulting by thinking you are not being a bother by taking your own food.

Just insist and say you were looking forward to cooking something nice for him

I don't believe I would be forcing him to drop his ethics or his health, Birdsgottafly. Have you read what I've written? I am far from insisting that he eats my food.

OP I think you should take it in the grace it's been offered.

Why find offence where they might not be any?

A friend of mine's Uncle is veggie and friend's DM cooked him a nut roast from scratch only for him to push it to one side and complain that it was horrid so she's never bothered with him since, he just gets the vegetables.

We're vegan and I don't expect a separate main, I'll happily just have the veg as long as it hasn't been cooked in flesh juices. I can see how you think it's slightly awkward of him but I think he's probably not wanting to put you out.

I'll swap him for the one gluten free and the 3 Muslims who rock up to ours after sending me lots of emails about what they can and can't eat.

One year got so bad (can only have m&s sausages and gravy and could we have one turkey without bacon and stuffing on rather than 2, one plain, as they feel less included!!!) told DH that if I got another email I would tell them to bring their own dinner and they can use the microwave to heat it up.