So we're hosting lunch (and dinner this year) and I've been upper excited at planning why to have but after speaking to MIL I'm scared she's trying to take over what we eat ( they want seafood)
So it's my house so don't I get most say??
Of course. Your house, your menu. That goes for any day. We take into account allergies & preferences ( some people dont eat x, y or z) but that's it.
Seafood can be really expensive, especially at Xmas time. We rarely have it. If she wants to bring a seafood platter, then she's welcome to, but you cook what you want.
I know with my In Laws we do the traditional lunch and then my husbands Aunt normally brings up fresh oysters, prawns etc that we have with the evening meal. This is a novelty for us though living in the country we don't get to see much fresh seafood.
I wish that was the case for us. If I'm hosting Christmas for my ILs, then it has to be their traditional menu, right down to the gross eggs and pickles. So far the excuse for Christmas lunch being groundhog day every year is that DH's nanna and great aunt like it that way. Without sounding awful, the poor old things barely know where they are, let alone what they're eating, and they eat like sparrows so I think its probably more the MIL that is pushing it. Family harmony dictates that I play the game unfortunately.
When I'm hosting my family then yep, my house my choice.
Definitely your call! If they are insistent, maybe suggest they have the seafood for dinner? THat is what we usually do - massive hot lunch and then a light seafood dinner.
Having said that, MiL has said she'll bring the Christmas Pudding (I hate so wouldn't have made) and Uncle-iL has said he'll buy the turkey for me to cook. So much as I'm happy for the help, it does mean that I'm doing a turkey lunch with Christmas Pud to follow. Good thing I know the family well enough to know that anything else would have been a disaster!
I agree that it is mostly up to you but if they want to bring seafood then I wouldn't see the harm in it. If they expect you to pay for it though that is an entirely different matter!
I think if she wants to bring one platter, that is reasonable, but she should understand that its your turn to host xmas this year and you would like to do XYZ. Can you just tell her how excited you are to be able to plan it yourself?
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