My in-laws charged me $200 for Thanksgiving dinner, they’re richer than me and terrible cooks, people say it’s ‘cruel’

A PREGNANT mother has been left torn about attending a family Thanksgiving dinner after being asked to pay for the food.

She explained that her in-laws want her to give them $200 worth of food stamps to cover the cost of groceries for the meal they are hosting.

The 20-year-old expectant mom took to Am I The A**hole forum to ask for opinions after being offended by her husband’s relatives.

She explained that her sister-in-law and her wife would be cooking as the family takes turns hosting Thanksgiving dinner each year. 

“My husband and I agree that they are not the best cooks,” the mom wrote.

“They are demanding they do the cooking – they always underbake the casseroles and it’s too soupy, we offered to help with the cooking and they denied it. 

“Despite knowing I’ll have to politely pretend I liked the food I was okay with going until SIL [sister-in-law] called my husband and asked when we are taking her shopping for Thanksgiving so we can pay for the groceries, she wanted about $200 in my food stamps. 

“I’m on food stamps because I’m poor and SIL has a nice job and her wife’s family is very wealthy and well off. I told my husband to tell her no. 

“We couldn’t even if I wanted to give it because I don’t have that much money, I’m pregnant and we have a child, the money runs out quickly.”

The woman revealed her 57-year-old mother-in-law also called her to ask that the food stamps be given towards Thanksgiving.

She refused and said giving the $200 would leave her hungry. 

“They definitely have the means to pay for it themselves,” she said.

“MIL [mother-in-law] said I need to stop eating so much and spending the food stamps, fyi [for your information] the stamps are in my name only. 

“Then MIL proceeded to complain that I’m basically the reason that she has to give the $200 herself and that I’m putting her through a hard time by not contributing. 

“I am offended that they would act like they’re entitled to the food stamps. 

“So I decided I won’t bring my child to their Thanksgiving and I’m having my own with just my husband and our child.

“I used the last $40 of food stamps that I had and was able to get a turkey and all the sides with coupons. 

“I don’t want to go to their Thanksgiving this year but my husband does.

“Should I just let bygones be bygones and bring my family to their Thanksgiving and have our own with good food after?”

A stream of responses empathized with the woman and reassured her that she wasn’t being unreasonable.

One person wrote: “It is ridiculous to expect guests to pay. Sure perhaps ask for a single potluck type dish or something, but anything else is just stupid. 

“And $200? That seems like a huge ask unless you are paying for the whole thing and for a fair number of people. It should be up to the hosts to pay the bulk in any case.”

Another commented: “Let your husband go alone and enjoy the time with your child. It’s one thing to ask guests to bring a side dish or two. 

“It’s something else entirely to demand to host the meal and then require your guests to pay for the food.

“If you wanted to buy a Thanksgiving meal, there are restaurants you can eat at with better food for much less money.”

A third said: “Have your own Thanksgiving. From a poor background myself, I unfortunately know what food poverty is like, and it’s appalling. 

“How dare they ask for your food stamps and then berate you for standing your ground. 

“Your husband should be backing you up, like a team, not still trying to wangle his way to their Thanksgiving.”