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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Dsis charging for Christmas dinner.

362 replies

MercuryRising · 24/12/2013 02:11

Hi.
We are going to my dsis for Christmas dinner this year. This is the first year she has hosted.
In previous years my dmum or I have hosted and on these years have footed the bill except if somebody has offered to bring alcohol or puddings with them. I have just had a text from my dsis telling me that she has worked out the bill and it is £16 per head so I need to pay £64 for me, dp and 2dc (5 and 7). Now I do not consider myself to be tight but feel angered about the way this has been done because it really does feel that she is charging her own dniece and dnephew to eat. Aibu to feel rattled by this?

OP posts:
PumpkinPositive · 24/12/2013 11:26

I read the OP to the office clerk and she reckons OP's sis is a "bam".

UnexpectedItemInShaggingArea · 24/12/2013 11:27

Oh.My.God

I need details of that phone call.

Please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please pretty please.

AngelaDaviesHair · 24/12/2013 11:30

I do hope your DSis had already bought all the food and drink so will have to foot the bill anyway. Lots of extra food she won't need, ha ha.

Seriously, if she has eaten her fill for years at your house or your mother's, suddenly charging you a fortune for Christmas dinner is outrageous.

Blueandwhitelover · 24/12/2013 11:33

yes, what was said in the phone call????

Blueandwhitelover · 24/12/2013 11:34

(there is a thread in chat with someone complaining that their sister in law has just cancelled coming for Xmas!)

Melfish · 24/12/2013 11:35

Never heard of being charged for Xmas dinner, my mum would've made a mint! If you are told well in advance that you will be charged £x then you can make a decision to pay or not go and do something else. Likewise, bringing pudding, wine etc you can make your own budget. Those situations are reasonable. Your sister sounds awful OP, I think your alternative plans sound much better, and hope you all have a great time.

SantasLittleMonkeyButler · 24/12/2013 11:39

Oh please tell us what was said in the phonecall! Xmas Grin

How did she try to justify the charge? What did she say when you mentioned the fact that no-one has ever charged before?

JugglingUnwiselyWithBaubles · 24/12/2013 11:43

If they can afford to host XMas lunch OK it seems really bizarre to me.
If they were really broke then they could ask people to bring drinks or even make a contribution beforehand - but not at this stage, and £16 a head including for her little niece and nephew, blimey, Scrooge wouldn't charge more ?! Xmas Grin
Try to see the ridiculous side OP and not feel too cross - possibly consider "paying" for the adults, if pushed?

Kikibee · 24/12/2013 11:48

Wow, so if you aren't going has she increased price for others to cover costs? Love this, I do need plenty of updates please :)

pumpkinsweetie · 24/12/2013 11:51

OMG OMG!!! I have heard of being asked to contribute a pudding/starter (understandable) but £64 to go to your own sisters for Xmas Dinner, that is shocking!!!

I very much doubt it costs anywhere that much to feed your family & even if it does, why is she hosting an event she seems to be unable to cough up for?

I wouldn't go, she is taking the piss!

pigletmania · 24/12/2013 11:54

Yanbu tat is downright rude and shocking. I would stay at home. What about the times she as eaten at yours. Imwould just say that deduct it from the times you've eaten t mine and you hosted. Cheeky mear!

SoftKittyWarmKitty · 24/12/2013 11:55

I've popped to Tesco this morning and they've reduced price on all their turkeys, if that helps?

waltermittymissus · 24/12/2013 11:55

Ok we seriously need details here!

JugglingUnwiselyWithBaubles · 24/12/2013 11:55

I hope it works out OK going round afterwards so cousins can get together OP. There might be a bit of an atmosphere I reckon? Absolutely not your fault though

pigletmania · 24/12/2013 11:56

Good on you op, next time do not host them, if you do send them a private bill, and charge the baby too!

FrankelInFoal · 24/12/2013 12:09

Details! Details!

DidoTheDodo · 24/12/2013 12:13

Well done Mercury. I am agog at your Dsis cheek and cheering you on in your opposition to her meanness.

comingintomyown · 24/12/2013 12:16

Yes come on OP spill !

JugglingUnwiselyWithBaubles · 24/12/2013 12:24

Yes, what do you think, fresh puree of parsnip - at least a fiver I reckon!

MintyChops · 24/12/2013 12:36

Blue will you link to that thread in Chat please? Can't find, wondering if it's the "D" sis......

Chippednailvarnish · 24/12/2013 12:37

I clearly need to get a life, its Christmas eve and I'm ignoring the kids so I can catch up with the Gluesister situation Grin

pumpkinsweetie · 24/12/2013 12:44

Me too Chipped, looking forward to the update!

pigletmania · 24/12/2013 12:45

Glue sister definitely, ges with gluezilla from Tidys thread

YouTheCat · 24/12/2013 12:46

I'm just popping in between baking stuff. Omg the smells coming from the kitchen are heaven. Grin

headinhands · 24/12/2013 12:48

My sister did this one year for me and my toddler. £10 and this was 20 years ago. Thing is, on Christmas Eve one of my other sisters turned up and asked if we'd like to go to hers for Christmas. I said I couldn't as I'd paid for my meal already. She was Shock. To be fair the sister who charged me had helped me out quite a bit over that year and was struggling for money so it's not as bad as it seems. Some years later she came to ours for Christmas and tried to offer money so she obviously sees it as quite normal but I wouldn't ever charge someone myself.