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Almost half of Britons will charge their loved ones for Christmas dinner this year.
Overall, 46 per cent of hosts across the UK will ask their guests to contribute to food and alcohol on the big day, saying they have an “obligation” to help pay for it, according to MoneySuperMarket.
But is it “common” to ask your family and friends to pay your expenses? And if you are doing it, should they give you cash? Or will a simple money transfer suffice?
Etiquette and money-saving experts have revealed their definitive guide to tackling this complicated move.
Former royal butler Grant Harrold told Femail that everyone should consider charging their guests for their festive roast these days, as it “becomes increasingly expensive to organise”.
According to the data, the average British family will spend £1,800 and host seven people this Christmas. Therefore, money-saving expert Matthew Sheeran insists that hosts “shouldn’t feel embarrassed about asking guests to contribute to the cost.”
But careful consideration needs to be given to how best to approach this somewhat controversial topic, and our experts have shared the rules you should follow to ensure your big day isn’t ruined by disagreements.
From never surprising your family with a last-minute bill to accepting exceptions and splitting costs fairly, there are some helpful tips to make the process of getting paid for a Christmas roast go smoothly.
Here, experts share their ultimate guide on how to navigate charging your family for your holiday dinner…
Charge guests for their Christmas dinner.
Speaking on behalf of online game Slingo, etiquette expert and former royal butler Grant Harrold said: “I think with the world we live in at the moment and the cost of living crisis, it’s okay to charge at Christmas as It is becoming more and more expensive to host.
‘Now, I’m not saying that you are going to turn up at someone’s house and they are going to give you a menu with the prices of each dish, as that would be ridiculous, but rather it is something that is agreed upon beforehand.
“Before, people would offer to bring a dish like a pudding or a starter or crackers, and while that still happens, now it’s more about saying, can I add something to the meal? And at that point, you say, yes please, that would be amazing.’
Meanwhile, Matthew Sheeran, a money-saving expert at Money Wellness, a free debt advice service, agreed.
He added: ‘Christmas is magical and it’s about bringing people together and sharing. Therefore, hosts should not feel ashamed or embarrassed to ask guests to contribute to the cost.
‘It is not cheap to organize a Christmas dinner if you take into account the costs of ingredients, decorations and drinks. And that’s before you consider the extras you don’t consider higher utility costs, like water and energy.
“By charging guests, you share financial responsibility – the burden doesn’t just fall on one person, making it a fairer arrangement for everyone.”
Divide the costs equally
Overall, 46 per cent of hosts across the UK will ask their guests to contribute to food and alcohol on the big day, saying they have an “obligation” to help pay for it, according to a new survey by MoneySuperMarket (file photo).
While discussing how to decide what price to charge loved ones for their Christmas dinner, Grant said: ‘The sensible thing would be to go Dutch.
‘So depending on how many people you invite and the cost of hosting, split it evenly between everyone.
“Obviously there can be exceptions, for example if people don’t drink, but one way around this is to simply charge for the meal and then provide some alcohol and encourage everyone to bring their own, which most people normally do. anyway”.
DON’T surprise family members with the day’s bill
Grant insisted: ‘Check beforehand that everyone is happy to go to the Dutch to make sure there are no arguments on the day.
‘Just make everything fair. Etiquette is about thinking of others and being polite and kind. And if someone has a problem, they shouldn’t wait until after the meal to question or complain.
“You have to make sure that it is discussed in advance and that everything that has been agreed is paid in advance, either in cash or by transfer, as it makes it difficult to ask the day.”
Matthew agreed, saying, “If you plan to charge guests, you should agree with them on the cost and expectations from the beginning.”
Etiquette expert and former royal butler Grant Harrold (pictured) says everyone should consider charging their guests for their festive roast these days, because “it’s getting more and more expensive to organize”.
‘The big day shouldn’t be a surprise. You need to make sure they feel comfortable and can afford to get involved.
‘Cost of living pressures have meant that charging for Christmas lunch is now more acceptable than ever. But it must be done with sensitivity and transparency to ensure that everyone feels included and valued.
“No one needs New Year’s problems or the financial hangover of not talking,” the expert warned.
DON’T make a fuss if someone can’t afford it
“There are always exemptions and if someone can’t afford it for whatever reason then if they are friends and family it shouldn’t be a problem and you can exclude them from the payments and if it is for genuine reasons no one should do that.” mind,” Grant explained.
“But most people want to contribute in some way, so if they can’t afford it financially, you can encourage them to bring a plate or organize some games so they feel involved.”
‘Obviously children will eat less and not drink, so they could be charged less.
“It’s difficult when it comes to older people, as they might be the richest at the table, but if they’re friends or family, you’ll know if they can afford it.”
Ask about dishes if you prefer food over cash.
Not everyone will feel comfortable asking their loved ones for cash to help them receive Christmas. Fortunately, Matthew revealed a way to fix this problem.
He said: “If you find it uncomfortable to charge people, you can ask guests to contribute by bringing dishes or drinks to help reduce the cost.”
‘Make sure you manage requests well, so that nothing is missing or you don’t end up with two batches of sprouts.
‘When guests contribute, they are also more likely to appreciate the effort, work and cost of the meal.
“This shared investment could also have the added benefit of motivating guests to arrive on time and be more engaged.”