Teacher rejects a Thanksgiving ultimatum when the family suddenly imposes a $200 "fee," then his sister roasts him in the family group chat by posting his salary: ‘Pay for meat [or] pay the water bill $200/family. Choose wisely’

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Jesse Kessenheimer • Writer and Editor
Nov 27, 2025 2:00 PM EST

Thanksgiving is about sharing a meal with loved ones. Oftentimes, everyone contributes a little piece, offering to bring sides, desserts, drinks, or even a main dish. However, when this Thanksgiving dinner imposed a $200/family minimum payment to attend, one man took a stand against it. 

Selflessly, we all end up spending some money on the holidays, because we want the celebration to be special. The selfless act is no longer a special occasion when people start to get nitpicky over the line-itemed invoices sent to beloved family members. Especially when your family's contribution to the meal becomes a financial obligation, the spirit of Thanksgiving is ruined, soiling a potentially pleasant night of festivity, dark meat, and homemade gravy. 

Instead of serving up mashed potatoes and green beans this year, this family is serving up a platter of freshly roasted guilt, public shame, and a cheapskate attitude. And you better believe this man won't be coming back for seconds… 

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  • Family enjoying thanksgiving dinner together.
    via Yuganov Konstantin

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • WIBTA for refusing to bring $100 minimum to Thanksgiving
    via americanjohn500
  • My family and I celebrate Thanksgiving every year with my siblings, parents, and their kids. Roughly 20-25 people (including kids). My family is only 2 people with one 6 month old baby.
    via americanjohn500
  • In the group chat it was decided that my nephew would cook meat since he bought a grill. He also told us that we could bring the sides. He chose to spend $300 on meat.
    via americanjohn500
  • I'm not totally against the idea of bringing that much food, but just the way it was presented and the fact that it wasn't agreed to beforehand makes me upset.
    via americanjohn500
  • The following day in the group chat, my sister said: "Option 1: bring food enough for everyone, not just yourself Option 2: help thomas pay for meet $100/family
    via americanjohn500
  • Option 3: help dad pay water bill $200/family. Choose wisely..." Upset, I responded with Option 4: don't show up.
    via americanjohn500
  • Am I being an asshole if I don't show up at all in "protest" to this $100 minimum rule?
    via americanjohn500
  • Update: I'm a teacher and she posted a picture of my salary she found online to shame me in the group chat. Definitely not going now.
    via americanjohn500
  • AOWLock1 NTA, this is a potluck not a charity dinner. If your nephew couldn't afford to buy the meat he shouldn't have bought it
    via AOWLock1
  • Ibw12345 Don't forget petty option #5, buy $100 worth of mashed potato ingredients and show up with 50 lbs of mashed potatoes. NTA $100 worth of sides per family is obscene and far too much food
    via Ibw12345
  • Mo... Edited to add: NTA I have never in my life seen a water bill over $200 Your sister kind of sounds like a controlling asshole
    via Mo
  • BlueSkyMourning. Your sister posting your salary makes her TAH
    via BlueSkyMourning
  • APithyparty 20 to 25 adults, not including kids. If every adult brings a dish to share, there should be plenty of food to go around. "Choose wisely" would have me staying home, enjoying the peace and quiet of my living room for free. NTA
    via APithyparty
  • kotominammy NTA that "choose wisely" would've ticked me off. They did this to themselves and can't just drop it on you and expect it to be your problem too.
    via americanjohn500
  • hawkcarhawk. I would also choose option 4. Choosing to host a holiday get together shouldn't be about breaking even, and it especially shouldn't be about profiting off of your family
    via hawkcarhawk
  • members. Dad is expecting to have a $600+ water bill from one holiday get together? sounds like it would be impossible to relax and enjoy It
    via hawkcarhawk
  • each other's company with everyone taking inventory of the contributions and making sure every guest "paid their dues". I'd just stay home. NTA
    via hawkcarhawk

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