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Mother said she was the host Christmas dinner once again this year – and this time he’s charging his family to participate.
Abi Richards, 35, from Hampshire, England, said she spent nearly $300 on food and drink this Christmas since he cooks for 10 family members over three days. (Watch the video at the top of this article.)
She charges each of them just shy of $32 to cover the cost of breakfast, lunch and dinner over those days – Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Christmas Day, the last of which is celebrated in the UK.
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Richards shared the news in video recording posted on social media — which drew mixed reviews.
“It’s going to be expensive,” she said of the cost associated with all the groceries.
Abi Richards said she is charging for her family’s Christmas dinner because it will be so “expensive”. (Abi Richards/SWNS)
Richards told the news agency SWNS that this is her fourth year in a row that she has hosted Christmas dinner at home.
She said her family “paid” into the grocery bill every year.
This year, however, she saved the bills and “sorted it out fairly” – charging the eight visiting adults for their share food and drinks.
For the holidays, she feeds her mother, mother-in-law, father-in-law, sister, sister’s partner and niece.
Richards said it’s “easier” to do it this way, so her family doesn’t have to worry about taking anything home with them for Christmas.
Some on social media praised the plan, while others called it “disgusting”.
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Richards lives with his wife and their two children, aged 5 and 2.
In addition to his immediate family, Richards feeds his mother, mother-in-law, father-in-law, sister, sister’s partner and niece during the holidays.
Richards feeds his extended family for three days during the Christmas holidays. (Abi Richards/SWNS)
Richards said she prepares a roast turkey with all the trimmings on Christmas Eve, leftovers for a festive buffet on Christmas Day and second meal on Boxing Day.
In her video, Richards calculated that she spent almost $300 between the two stores.
So she did the math and decided to charge adults nearly $32 per person.
“It changes the dynamic of the celebration.”
“Which actually – I don’t think it’s that bad for a three-day diet,” Richards said.
Diane Gottsman, an etiquette expert and founder of the Texas School of Protocol in San Antonio, told Fox News Digital that charging a certain amount “can easily feel offensive.”
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“Don’t give them a set amount like they’re going to a restaurant,” Gottsman said. “It changes the dynamics of the celebration, and everyone could do it go out to eat in a restaurant instead.”
Richards told SWNS her family was more than happy to contribute. She said they were the ones who “insisted” on it since the first year she hosted.
Richards calculated the cost of her groceries to come up with a price for his family members. (Abi Richards/SWNS)
“Every year I do a rough estimate for them,” Richards told SWNS. “I never like to ask for too much or too little. This is the first year I’ve kept accounts and I’ve handled it fairly.”
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Gottsman said it may be time for Richards to pass the apron to another family member next year.
“If she feels she can’t afford lunch or dinner, then she should move on next year’s host and offer to help someone else,” Gottsman said.
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But Richards told SWNS she doesn’t think it’s a big deal.
“It’s not for everyone, but this is what has always worked for us.”
