In recent years, 63-year-old grandmother Caroline Duddridge from the capital of Wales, Cardiff, has hosted the festive Christmas dinner with her family.
But in order to enjoy the long-awaited dinner there is a condition. All family members have to shell out money. And no one escapes – not even the very youngest guests, the grandchildren.
Last year, the bill for the Christmas buffet ended up at 15 pounds, equivalent to 200 kroner per adult. Her two sons and son-in-law had to pay because they worked full-time. But the part-time daughters were only allowed to pay £10 each.
– I’m not looking to make a profit. It is a contribution. I don’t get any allowance for my children, says Caroline to the newspaper.
Raising the price this year
This year, Caroline has been forced to raise the price due to inflation and increased food prices. But despite the increase, she thinks you get a lot of food for the money.
– It is still good value for money considering what I offer, she says during the interview.
Caroline has previously been accused of being “sexist” because she took less money from “the girls”. Therefore, she has chosen to raise the price for the female guests by 2 pounds this year.
– Not that I listen to public opinion very much, she adds.
That’s why she charges
It all started when Caroline’s husband died just before Christmas 2015, and she had a hard time financially.
– My income was halved so I told my children that they would have to contribute to all the food, says Caroline.
Caroline says that she is aware that many may wonder how she can do that and call her a “stinger”, but that most people think it is a “really good idea”.
– There are the usual trolls, but many people think it’s a really good idea. Many have said that they could even consider introducing the idea themselves, she says.