Every family has that one relative who treats your home like a free resort. For me, it’s my mother-in-law, Juliette, who shows up with her daughters, six grandkids, and zero groceries. They arrive hungry, leave full, and somehow manage to criticize everything in between.

After hosting endless barbecues and spending hundreds of dollars while my house turned into chaos, I finally had enough. When Juliette announced they were coming for the Fourth of July — for the whole weekend — I smiled sweetly and made a plan.

When they arrived, expecting ribs and a feast, I served… cucumber sandwiches and tea. The shock on their faces was priceless. When Juliette demanded the usual barbecue, I politely explained, “Since you love it so much, I thought you’d like to bring the meat yourselves this time.”

The visit ended quickly, with Juliette furious and the kids confused. Later, she blasted me on Facebook, claiming I’d “ruined the holiday.” But I calmly posted photos and receipts from past gatherings showing all the effort and money I’d poured into hosting over the years.

The internet quickly saw the truth, and Juliette deleted her rant in embarrassment.