Christmas is often described as the most wonderful time of the year - but it can also be the most expensive. One grandmother has stirred up some controversy after asking her family to contribute towards Christmas dinner to cut the expensive costs - and even has the toddlers pay a small fee.
Caroline Duddridge admits that not everybody agrees with her requests but she stands by her decision as she caters for her 12 guests over the festive period, the Mirror reports. The 63-year-old charges everyone who attends her annual feast including her three-year-old grandkids which she claims helps ''spread the cost fairly between everyone at the table''.
The widower and mum-of-five initially asked her family to start putting some money towards the dinner in 2016 - a year after her husband passed away. The pensioner reveals that her money saving plan has become an annual tradition and she calculates how much everyone should contribute towards food, heating and electricity costs prior to the Christmas get together.
The pensioner charges adults £10-£15 each depending on whether they work full-time or part-time and if they have families to support. Her grandchildren, who also pay a fee, are charged depending on their age, with her 12-year-old and nine-year-old grandkids contributing £5 each while her two three-year-olds pay £2.50.
Caroline sets a strict deadline for the money to be transferred to her by December 1 to give her time to prepare and does not accept late payments. She has hit back at critical comments as she claims that her "no brainer" budget system is not money grabbing but instead a way to make the expensive costs of Christmas fair for everyone.
She said: "Some complain about their bills and other costs, but I simply tell them they’ll get uninvited." Caroline's guests all get to choose the menu which typically includes a traditional Christmas dinner, pudding, crackers, wine, soft drinks and a selection of cheese and nuts.
The only thing the 63-year-old does not provide is beer which she asks guests to bring by themselves but everything else she provides for at a cost. The gran added that she is not fazed by people criticising her for charging her family for Christmas dinner as she argues: "I know some mums feel guilty if they don't do it all and provide a huge meal with no one else paying but I am practical."
The pensioner also stated that she believes Christmas should only be celebrated twice a decade and that way people would be more grateful for the special occasion.
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