While Christmas is obviously a time of merriment and relaxation, it’s also fraught with stress for whomever’s on kitchen duty.
Christmas Dinner is likely the biggest meal of the year for most people, and if you’ve got family and friends visiting it can quickly become a monumentally laborious and expensive undertaking.
For mum-of-two Abi Richards, 35, a way to ease the stress is to take some of the sting out of the cost. How? By charging family members for the privilege of tucking in.
As she prepared to host her fourth Christmas Dinner in 2024, Abi said she would be joined by nine family members, meaning she was cooking a mega meal for 10 along with hosting everyone from Christmas Eve through to Boxing Day.
She said she didn’t come up with or enact the idea to charge her family, saying they have “always split the cost”. Nevertheless, it’s added a little stress for her in terms of knowing how much everyone would owe.
"I don't want to overcharge or undercharge," she said in her TikTok video (@abilourichards) as she prepared to head out for the big shop.
Two supermarkets later, and Abi said she had spent £233 on food and drink, covering Christmassy accoutrements alongside stuff for the meal itself.
She cooked up a roast turkey complete with trimmings on Christmas Eve, then served a buffet of leftovers on Christmas Day before prepping another meal on Boxing Day.
So the eight adults sprang for £25 each.
"This is the first year I kept the receipts and worked it out fairly," she explained, noting that she didn’t think the practice was a big deal.
When she shared her Christmas costs routine online, she said she was “shocked” by the mixed reactions.
"The clip was quite controversial - but it was mostly positive feedback," she said. "People say they do it in some form, bringing food or bits.
“Others have said it’s 'disgusting' and they would never let their family contribute."
She pointed out that family members who previously contribute by bringing food with them, but contributing money meant they didn’t have to worry about what or how much to bring.
"Breakfast, lunch, dinner and all drinks are sorted. I do check and see if there's anything they want, but I've hosted a few years now and I know what everyone likes," she said.
"We're in a cost-of-living crisis, so some people really struggle with it. Everyone is very willing to contribute."
It might not be for everyone, but Abi insisted the practice has made for more harmonious Christmasses with the family.
Featured Image Credit: Richard Baker/Getty ImagesTopics: TikTok
Rachael Davis