£60 each for lunch

It seems wrong somehow to make a mandatory charge. That would be more akin to eating out at a smart restaurant. Christmas is surely about much more than that. Nothing wrong with taking something, dessert, drinks, chocs though, or making a cash contribution when you know it might be welcome.

Not surprising she has a large income of £80,000 a year, she has obviously always been mercenary. This is how she has lived her life, generosity probably has never featured. I would prefer to have nothing left rather than ask my family for money.

Could you ask for your money back if it wasn't up to your high standards?

By the way happy Christmas everyone. We're at Dd2 and SIL having a lull between feasts. And we brought the ham but it should last a long time.

I think I would prefer to stay at home if asked to pay that extortionate amount. I take the desserts , three different desserts, my ex buys the turkey or meat. Some people are greedy but to fleece your own family is just not on.

If I invite people round I don't expect them to pay but a contribution of wine or dessert or just physical help is appreciated but not mandatory. You can go to a restaurant for less than £60 a head .

I find the idea of charging for Christmas dinner somewhat mercenary. I've spent far more than I would like to have for Christmas and Boxing Day, particularly tomorrow when everyone is coming to us. I do understand that if money is tight then it's hard for whoever is hosting. If that's the case I think asking everyone to bring a dish or provide some ingredients would be preferable to charging and a bottle is always appreciated. I remember being in Australia quite a few years ago and guests would turn up to barbecues with a side dish or pudding. That seemed a very good idea to me.

60 seems an awful lot and just sounds greedy ! Many years ago my b-I-l was in hospital for leukaemia treatment over Christmasm but allowed home for the day ..so m-I-l gave s-I=l 50 pounds to provide a special day and all the family were asked to their house ....a big family ! We all contributed to the feast as well, although no one except s-I-l knew ! We had a lovely day and as we were all in work (except sister in law who had to give up to look after b-I-l for a time) so were happy to be able to contribute and a lovely day was had by all ! Luckily b-I-l made a full recovery !

If I were asked to contribute it would depend on the circumstances.....if a family member was I dire need, I would do so ,,or if the money was going to help with meals for the homeless or elderly lonely but not just for greed !

I did see the article ...but not a follow up ? I wonder if they paid ?

I too am horrified how much I have spent on food and drink (for only 4 of us) this holiday But neither DD is well paid and I do not expect them to.contribute .And we are fortunate that it is not an issue for us.
What I do think is wrong is when retired, and possibly not terribly well off, couples host their children,their partners and numerous granchildren who may have very well paid jobs and be better off rhan they are ,with no thought of a contribution in either cash or kind .

I have been at DDs today for Christmas Lunch - I provided Turkey & Crackers she does not expect a contribution but it has become tradition that I at least buy crackers

DH & I went out to local Hotel for Christmas Lunch for a few years & paid less than £60 per head including drinks, excellent meal & lovely atmosphere. If I was asked to pay that at family/friends my answer would not be printable on GN

We went to my youngest daughters today and there were twelve of us. Daughter said they would host Xmas dinner as they have the biggest house if everyone contributed something to the meal. We all got a list, ours was things like crackers, brussels, parsnips ect. Everyone contributed, we had a lovely meal and a good laugh and there was plenty of stuff left over for anyone to take home if they wanted. I think if she had demanded a certain amount of money it would have made it completely different. This way, everyone felt as though they contributed something without any embarrassment or ill feeling. We had a wonderful day.

That seems completely bizarre. For years I entertained my family on both Christmas Day and Boxing Day. One of my cousins always kindly sent me a generous cheque towards the cost and I was always grateful.

These days, we have Christmas at absentdaughter's house. I have in the past provided the money for a turkey and a ham. This year I packed a "victuals box", including wine, dips, pâté, cheeses, crisps and other nibbles (plus cigarettes, but don't tell anyone), separately sent over fizzy wine and liqueur chocolates, and baked quiches. We automatically assume that we help out each other; nobody keeps accounts.

We're into Oscar Wilde territory here: knowing the cost but not the value.

I would tell them to poke it.
Nobody minds contributing,but .

We take it in turn to host- and everyone contributes in their own way, practically and with wine and other bits and bobs for the meal - we are very lucky no-one in our family would dream of turning up without contributing in some way or other- same when they come to stay. A meal out, pick up the tab for one shopping trip or tank of petrol, etc. Surely it is just basic common courtesy...

But pay 60 quid- I just would not go.

What is the world coming to, just read this thread, is this woman serious?!I mean its one thing to ask if they want anything bringing, but to charge members of the family, well I ask you!

For £60 a head I would go to a restaurant. As others have said taking a contribution to the meal is what a polite and thoughtful guest would do but what kind of hostess charges her guests?