A mother from Brighton has adopted a direct approach to managing the soaring costs of the festive season by charging her adult daughters £100 each to attend the family Christmas dinner.
The Festive Fee: A Family Tradition
Clarissa Bloom, 36, explained that her mother requests this contribution every year before she does the significant food shop for the celebrations commencing on December 25th. The total shop typically reaches around £300, which is split three ways.
Clarissa and her sister initially "put up a bit of a fuss" in their early twenties, but their perspective has since changed. Now both in more stable financial positions, they are "more than happy" to contribute. Clarissa acknowledges her mother doesn't have a huge amount of money and struggles to cover all the costs alone.
Bingeing at Christmas Justifies the Cost
The rationale behind the charge is partly down to the family's eating habits. Clarissa admits that while they "don't generally eat much throughout the year," they absolutely "binge" during the Christmas period, enjoying "chocolate galore" and a lavish spread.
The dinner itself is a classic British feast, piled high with meat, vegetables, roast potatoes, stuffing, and gravy. The family always has "way too much" and takes leftovers home, making the £100 per person feel like a worthwhile investment for the abundance of food and drink provided over their four-to-five-day visit.
Understanding the Seasonal Financial Squeeze
This family's approach highlights the broader financial pressure many households face in December. According to the Bank of England, households spend an average of £713 more in December, which is 29% above a typical month. When presents, socialising, and festive food and drink are factored in, costs escalate quickly.
For Clarissa, paying the fee is now a way to appreciate her mother's effort and ease her burden. She sees it as the one time of year where you "don't mind blowing all the cash on crazy amounts of food and drink." What began as a point of contention has transformed into a practical solution that ensures everyone can enjoy a stress-free, festive binge without leaving the host out of pocket.
