20 December 2023 , 13:52
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A grandma whose controversial Christmas dinner tax went viral last year has revealed she's upped her prices for 2023.
Caroline Duddridge, 63, from Fairwater in Cardiff, said that her adult relatives had to stump up £15, with her young grandchildren not spared the cost, having to dish out £2.50 each for the pleasure of the family meal. But this year, she has increased the price due to the increase of cost of living and soaring food prices.
Caroline acknowledged the suffering much of the country is facing, describing a weekly food shop as "just horrifying". It was in 2015 that she got the idea to ask her family members to fork out money for their dinner after the passing of her husband.
Speaking to her family ahead of the meal, she once advised them to send the cash straight to her account so she could "keep track of any stragglers". Last year, the bill for her two sons was £15 each and her three daughters had to pay £10. The four grandchildren over five years old were made to hand over £5 while the two three year olds coughed up £2.50.
The two sons had to pay more because they work full time. The daughters paid less because they're part-time workers and also have families. This year, Caroline said she's "put the girls' prices up (this year) by £2 because I did get a bit of stick from people saying I was being sexist - not that I listen to public opinion, particularly."
Shop prices 'are yet to peak and will remain high' as inflation hits new heights
She told BBC Radio 5 Live that even though she's increased the rate, she will likely be spending more than their fee will cover due to supermarket prices.
Even her grandkids have to stump up a fee (Caroline Duddrige)
The family sitting down for dinner (Caroline Duddridge)"I'm not sure it will, because when you buy a few bits and pieces it comes to like £30 or £40 and it's barely a bag full. This is not Christmas stuff either but just general shopping - it's just horrifying and you wonder where it's all going to end."
She said her Christmas meal is fantastic value for money, seeing as the relatives can take home doggy bags that will last until Boxing Day. The items she serves includes a mini sandwich buffet, turkey roast with all the trimmings, and a plethora of yule-tide desserts. On Boxing Day, the family gets another full spread with a buffet.
"I also do food for my parents and take it round to them - they find it a bit too much coming to mine now."
Caroline acknowledged how some people consider her a Scrooge, but she'd received support from others on social media, who think it's a brilliant idea.
"There were the usual trolls, but some people thought it was really good idea - they even said they were going to adopt it themselves," she said.