A woman has divided opinion after revealing she charges her family to eat at her house over the Christmas period – and says it’s only fair as it’s too expensive otherwise
A woman has sparked debate after revealing she charges her family members to eat at her home over the Christmas period – insisting it’s simply too costly otherwise. Abi, known as @abilourichards on social media, disclosed how she billed her eight adult relatives roughly £30 each for three days of festive dining at her house.
While she wouldn’t dream of asking them to chip in directly, she was relieved when they volunteered as she would otherwise be significantly out of pocket. In a TikTok clip, she documented her mammoth festive shopping trip to Aldi and Tesco to cover Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day.
After completing her food shop, she calculated the total expenditure and split it between the eight adults in attendance. She said: “Thank the Lord that it’s pay day tomorrow because I can’t even bring myself to think about how much I have spent today.
“Between Aldi and Tesco, I spent £233.35 on everything related to Christmas food. So that divided by eight adults – because the kids eat barely anything – is under £30 per person. I actually don’t really that that’s bad for three days worth of eating.”
Rounding the figure down, Abi settled on requesting £25 from each family member towards their meals. Keen to discover whether others would bill their relatives for Christmas dining, she posed the question to her followers.
Whilst some reckon it’s “only fair”, others insist they would never dream of asking family or friends to pay for a meal at their home. One person commented: “My mum fed me all my life into adulthood. I’m not charging her a penny.”
Another added: “My parents charge us to go for Christmas Eve-Boxing Day. £100 for me, my partner and toddler.” A third said: “Only in England would anyone consider charging to eat.”
One more added: “Definitely not if I’ve invited you to my house then I cover the cost.”
Another remarked: “Nothing! I had 26 people one year I wouldn’t dream of asking for anything their guests.”
To sidestep the awkwardness of requesting money, some revealed how they bring either vegetables, meat or pudding to contribute to the meal rather than handing over cash.
One person said: “Me and my sister are bringing the cheese board, meats etc. Auntie and grandma are doing the meat. Mum is doing the veg. My other sisters are doing desserts and table decorations.”
In agreement, another added: “Charging is the wrong word, but I don’t see why everyone can’t contribute, why should 1 person be responsible for all the cost.”
A final person said: “Honestly I would happily pay even more if someone cooked and planed everything! £25 each is nothing.”
