Woman charges family members $27 for Christmas meal: 'It's very fair'
The cost-of-living crisis could see more families following suit.
A cost-of-living crisis has families right across the world thinking how they can save this Christmas.
But one grandmother in the UK has raised eyebrows with her decision to charge family for their festive meal.
Pricing ranges from £15 ($27) for male adults to £2.50 ($4.50) for the smallest grandchildren and despite a bit of backlash, Cardiff resident Caroline Duddridge is standing by her decision.
"There's a few out there who think I'm a bit of a Scrooge but my friends think it's quite a good idea," she told the BBC.
Ms Duddridge's controversial move was initially sparked by the death of her husband in 2015 which drastically reduced her household income.
And with grocery prices surging in the past year, her call will undoubtedly leave other families considering a similar move as they struggle to feed the whole family over Christmas.
The Australian Red Cross found that 54 per cent of respondents to a recent survey will find it harder to connect and celebrate with loved ones this year due to price hikes.
Groceries in Australia have risen by nearly 10 per cent in the past year, according to the Frugl Grocery Price Index.
“After years of interrupted festive celebrations due to Covid, we know many would like to reconnect this festive season, but financial hardship may get in the way,” Red Cross Executive Penny Harrison said.
The cost of Ms Duddridge's food over the Christmas period for her family has risen from previous years to £300 ($538).
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"Why should the host hold the full financial burden?" she asked.
"It's very fair. I'm not out to make a profit, I'm doing it just to have a bit of help with the cost of it."
Social media divided over call
Unsurprisingly, Ms Duddridge's request has proven divisive online.
"I'd be totally embarrassed [to ask my family]," one person said on Twitter.
"I know times are tough but this is too far, if you can’t afford to cook a meal then don’t," another wrote.
One person said it was a "horrible" move to impose on family.
"I see no problem with this," another said in defence of Ms Duddridge.
"She’s a widow... I wouldn’t dream of expecting her, not only to cook and host, but also to pay for everything," one said.
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