I'm sure we can all agree, Christmas is becoming pricier by the year.
As well as inflation causing the cost of gifts, wrapping and labels to sky-rocket, spreads of festive food are appearing increasingly elaborate - likely due to social pressure to flaunt your finances all over Instagram.
On top of this, more and more people are forking out for real fur trees instead of the fake one that's been squashed into the family attic since before they were born, and the workplace Secret Santa price-tag is getting heavier each December.
In a bid to keep her seasonal spending as low as possible, however, one woman has reportedly resorted to extreme measures, and plans to charge her guests to eat when 25 December rolls around - something her sister, who'll be attending said celebration, isn't best pleased with.
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Taking to the discussion forum Mumsnet, the sis explained: "My family are going for Christmas at my sister’s house and she’s just said she wants £30 for us to attend! It’s not like I show up empty handed, I always bring a bottle of wine and some crackers for the cheeseboard.
"It’s put a bad taste on my mouth and I’m tempted to tell her to sod the charge and we’ll spend Christmas at home, but then the children will miss out on Christmas with all their cousins and grandparents."
She went on to ask fellow users: "IABU to think charging family for their Christmas dinner is wrong?"
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Unsurprisingly, the move went on to spark widespread debate online, with an unexpected amount of readers siding with the host given that the current cost of living crisis continues keeping celebrants in a chokehold.
"£30 for the whole family? Seems pretty reasonable and she's told you in advance," one agreed.
Another went on to admit that, whilst it isn't something they'd make, they see the reasoning behind the woman's request.
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"I wouldn't charge personally but it depends on a few things," they wrote. "How many is she catering for? Whats her financial position like? £30 each or for the whole family?"
They continued: "A bottle of wine and some crackers is hardly really helping lighten the load is it, so yeah, depends on a lot of stuff."
A third agreed, adding: "To be honest I wouldn’t ask but family have given me money for Christmas dinner (ahead of it) to help out. That was a few years ago dread to think how much it would cost now to do it. Crackers and bottle of wine isn’t exactly going to make a dent in her costs."
A fourth continued: "If she always ends up hosting then asking for help with the costs is fair. £30 for a whole family of 4 is fine, unless you mean £30 each which would seem a lot."
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Others, took a different view, however, with one slamming the behaviour as 'poor form'.
"As a host, you do that - host - with dignity and grace," they continued. "Whatever happened to cutting your cloth..."
Meanwhile, a third group of users hit out at the sister who first revealed the host's plan in the online post, believing she could contribute much more to the meal besides a bottle of wine and crackers.
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"Why should your sister pay for everyone’s dinner and all you bring is wine and crackers….." one questioned. "If it’s £30 for you and your kids that sounds reasonable. If you are not comfortable paying bring more than crackers."
Another agreed, adding: "I think wine and crackers is a joke! She's cooking and preparing for everyone, then had to sort the house out when you’ve all gone! You could suggest that each couple/ family bring a course, enough to feed everyone, together with all the drinks required for that course.
"That might be fairer."
One user also continued: "A bottle of wine and some crackers? No wonder she's asking for a cash contribution! Have you any idea how much hosting Christmas actually costs?"
Topics: Christmas, Food and Drink, Money, Cost of Living, Social Media
Rhianna Benson