A woman recently turned to Reddit’s “Am I The A*****e” forum to recount a situation that unfolded during this year’s Thanksgiving holiday.
For most, holidays like Christmas and birthdays are cherished moments to gather with family and celebrate. This woman’s Thanksgiving was meant to be no exception — or so she thought.
With careful planning and enthusiasm, she had crafted an elaborate menu for the occasion, eager to host her family. She invested considerable time, effort, and money into preparing not only traditional dishes but also special treats to impress her guests, all with the hope of creating a memorable experience for everyone.
However, everything took an unexpected turn when her 35-year-old husband revealed a surprising detail: his mother insisted on bringing her own meal.
The woman was puzzled and frustrated, especially considering the extensive spread she had prepared – there was more than enough food for everyone. Throughout the planning, her husband had explained that his mother was simply a “grade A picky eater” and accused his wife of being insensitive and selfish for questioning the request.
Feeling hurt, the woman interpreted this as a personal criticism of her cooking, finding it rude and disrespectful. She told her husband that if his mother couldn’t find anything to eat at their home, she was welcome to stay home instead.
In turn, her husband accused her of being petty and ruining the holiday. The woman, however, wanted her family and guests to recognize the effort she had put into the meal, and was upset by the rejection after all her hard work. She shared her extensive Thanksgiving menu, which included traditional dishes like roasted turkey, stuffing, and mashed potatoes, as well as special items like roasted carrots, honey-glazed ham, and spinach, bacon, and feta pies. Despite the variety, her mother-in-law insisted on bringing her own dinner.
Redditors didn’t hold back in the comments section, with one user remarking, “Your MIL should just eat before she gets to your house and then make herself a small plate and eat if she wants. There is no need for her to bring her own food. It is rude. The fact that she’s planning on hating your food is weird.”
Another commenter suggested,“I would say to your husband that the meal is now HIS responsibility. If its ‘no big deal’ let him have at it. Walk away and spend your time on your leisure activities. What does he do when you’re doing all this work? After he has had one of his own ‘thanksgiving’ meals, he will appreciate you.”
In an update, the woman shared that, despite her feelings of hurt, she remained focused on creating a perfect Thanksgiving for everyone. She decided to welcome her mother-in-law with open arms, putting aside any negativity, and hoped that her MIL might be willing to try something new and enjoy it.
Determined not to let her mother-in-law spoil the day, the woman chose to take the high road, adopting a “kill them with kindness” approach for the sake of her family.
