Woman Cancels Thanksgiving Dinner After Family Refuses to Adhere to Her Rules, Family Feud Starts When They Accuse Her of Ruining the Holiday

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Briana Viser • Writer and Editor
Nov 1, 2024 2:00 PM EDT

Thanksgiving is many Americans' favorite holiday. A plenteous and convivial gathering, uncles and aunts in full merriment, carouse and playful banter, while the little ones run around playing hide-and-seek before dinner. Being a host for such an extravagant holiday is no walk in the park. From cleaning the home, setting up the decorations and food, and greeting the guests, to preparing each and every dish, is a nightmare for some, and an exciting challenge for others. But what happens when your favorite holiday that you love to host turns into the annual family feud? 

This brings us to the Reddit thread. The original poster (OP) is a woman who usually loves hosting Thanksgiving dinner. This year, she's informed her family of one crucial rule to follow: no one is to show up if they have even the inkling of a cold or flu. Instead of respecting her instructions, they were met with mockery. So she put her foot down, and canceled the whole holiday. But you'll have to read the full story below for all the juicy details. 

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  • 01
    r/AITAH 20 hr. ago Laura_antonela AITA for cancelling thanksgiving dinner after my family refused to follow one simple rule?
    via u/Laura_antonela
  • 02
    For years, I've been the one to host Thanksgiving dinner. I actually love cooking and bringing everyone together. But this year, my youngest child has a medical condition that weakens their immune system, so the doctors advised us to be very cautious about contact with anyone showing symptoms of a cold or flu.
    via u/Laura_antonela
  • 03
    So, I made a simple request in our family chat: if anyone felt sick or had cold symptoms, please skip dinner this year. I didn't think it was a huge ask―just a small precaution for my child's health. But when I brought it up, a few family members got upset. They said they couldn't just miss Thanksgiving over a "small cold"
    via u/Laura_antonela
  • 04
    and that I was overreacting. Some even joked that if anyone sneezed, I'd throw them out of the house.
    via u/Laura_antonela
  • 05
    I tried explaining, but no one seemed to take me seriously. After a lot of back and forth, I decided to cancel Thanksgiving dinner at my place and told them they could gather elsewhere if they wanted.
    via u/Laura_antonela
  • 06
    Now, several family members are angry, saying I went too far and that I ruined Thanksgiving with an "absurd rule." Others think I'm punishing everyone just because they didn't follow my "demands." Honestly, I was only trying to protect my child, but now I feel guilty.
    via u/Laura_antonela
  • 07
    AITA for canceling dinner instead of risking someone coming sick?
    via u/Laura_antonela
  • 08
    WizardOfWub... • 20h ago • NTA. Plenty of time anyway for them to come up with a new plan.
    via u/WizardOfWub
  • 09
    • ChickSec 20h ago • NTA. Like you say, you're protecting your child. Imagine your child getting super sick because a family member brought a cold to your home, then how would they feel?
    via u/ChickSec
  • 10
    They're being selfish, let them sort their own dinner.
    via u/ChickSec
  • 11
    Freeverse711 • 20h ago • It's literally still October, they have a month to plan Thanksgiving somewhere else. What entitled care more about a turkey than your kids health. NTA.
    via u/Freeverse711
  • 12
    1 BrainySmurf • 20h ago • Top Commenter NTA. "Since my child's health is unimportant to some of you, we are standing behind our decision to not host Thanksgiving this year. It makes us sad that such a small, humane, request
    via u/BrainySmurf
  • 13
    caused some to react so poorly. We've decided that it's best we skip these family gatherings, our child's health may not be important to some family members but it's most important to us.
    via u/BrainySmurf
  • 14
    ImHappier Tha... • 20h ago. You need to be as dramatic as they are being. You don't even need to be hyperbolic, just dramatize the truth!
    via u/ImHappier Tha
  • 15
    "So you don't care if my child lives or dies??? You want to use your Thanksgiving to kill my baby with your diseases like the settlers did the natives?!? MY BABY HAS AN AUTOIMMUNE CONDITION! What if it were YOUR baby?!"
    via u/ImHappier Tha
  • 16
    • FYourAppLeav... 20h ago • ΝΤΑ The ableist _ can cook their own dinner.
    via u/FYourAppLeav
  • 17
    Some families with immunosuppressed family members even isolate and wear masks before family gatherings! Wild, I know! What they are really saying is "I don't give a sh if your kid dies". Believe them.
    via u/FYourAppLeav
  • 18
    AshesB77 20h ago The fact that you had to even ask them is BS. No one should be visiting when sick even if it's a cold. Considering they are family, they must know about your child and they are still arguing? They don't deserve you. NTA
    via u/AshesB77
  • 19
    • MalicelW 20h ago • NTA. My partner is immunocompromised due to a medical condition, so we have a similar rule for anyone coming round, and to inform us of being unwell if we're meeting them out, as then my partner can decide if he wants to stay
    via u/MalicelW
  • 20
    home so he doesn't risk getting ill. And for the most part people comply because it is basic human decency and etiquette.
    via u/MalicelW
  • 21
    You should screenshot these comments and show your family that 90% of the population think they are selfish, ignorant utter holes. I mean saying that a roast turkey is more important than making sure your relative doesn't die is just disgusting.
    via u/MalicelW
  • 22
    Independent-... • 20h ago • NTA. Someone brought me covid for Xmas 2022, and due to my autoimmune disease, I've been flared since. My rheumatologist can't get it under control. We're on a
    via u/Independent
  • 23
    high dose of prednisone to keep my knees from swelling and immobilizing me, but all the biological injection meds we have tried aren't working.
    via u/Independent
  • 24
    2 years of hobbling on a cane, missing work, doc appts, co-pays, weight gain from said prednisone, can't walk more than 10 feet without buckling. All because someone decided Christmas was more important than the health of everyone else there.
    via u/Independent
  • 25
    I don't know if or when I'll get my system under control. F them. Tell your selfish assed family to absolutely kick rocks, from me.
    via u/Independent

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