\u201cEvery year since I married my husband, his mother expects me to host Christmas. Not us \u2014 me. I cook everything, clean everything, buy everything, while my husband \u2018helps her with errands\u2019 and magically avoids all the work.Last year I spent over $600 on groceries, decorations, drinks, and \u2018traditional dishes\u2019 she insisted on. She invited extra relatives without warning, then criticized the food temperature, the portion sizes, even my table settings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I mentioned how expensive it was, she said, \u2018That\u2019s the price of being the woman of the house.\u2019This year money is tight \u2014 rent went up, I\u2019m juggling bills, and I told my husband early: \u2018We cannot afford to host again. Not happening.\u2019He told his mom immediately. She called me furious, saying, \u2018You\u2019ve hosted every year. You can\u2019t stop now. Christmas depends on you.\u2019Then she added, \u2018Just budget better. Cheaper ingredients. Cook simpler things.\u2019I said, \u2018If you want a big Christmas, you or your son can pay for it.\u2019
She was stunned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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