what would you do if you received this letter

[Disney Doll]

Depending on my mood when I received it, I'd either tell her to stuff her regulation size casserole dish where the sun didn't shine or I'd walk in with a pizza and watch her go nuts.

 

[dizluvah]

My favorite is when she tells one person they can cook the veggies any way they like and then immediately following says No heavy cream sauce, etc.

I thought this was funny. If it is genuine it is also a little sad. Blessings to her friends and family for putting up with that; they are better people than I am!

 

[ameraumi]

Wow!

Our family gatherings are normally a pitch in with the "host" providing the main dish. We rotate the home it is held at each year so no one is stuck with it all the time. But I could never imagine anyone in my family demanding certain items like that!

 

[TomLovesBecky]

This has to be a joke! No way would I comply with a letter like that...we would instead call and say we are bringing X (I'd maybe try to keep it the same general thing, like if she asked me to bring a 9" pumpkin pie made with her recipe in a porcelain dish I'd bring *A* pumpkin pie, but whatever kind I wanted!!!) And that's if she was CLOSE family. If she wasn't, I'd just call and tell her I don't need the aggravation and we aren't coming!!!

 

[SplashMtnCrew]

"Hi, Marley? I'm going to ahead and skip your Gestapo style Thanksgiving. But no thanks anyways."

Depending on my mood when I received it, I'd either tell her to stuff her regulation size casserole dish where the sun didn't shine or I'd walk in with a pizza and watch her go nuts.

 

[threecrazykids]

If I got a letter like that, I would bring something completely different than what I was told, in a completely different container than it was supposed to be, and just sit back with a glass of wine and watch the hostess go nuts.

Whoever said those of us wouldn't really intentionally bring something different because we'd hate to have her upset all day??? You obviously don't know the above poster or myself...i would SOOOOOO intentionally bring something she didn't ask me to and also bring it in some weird container just to p*ss her off. You can bet money on it I would.

 

[antmaril]

Did Kate Gosslin (of Jon & Kate) write that letter?

You read my mind!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

That letter is so ridiculous, it is laughable. No way would I go to Thanksgiving dinner, or any other dinner with this lady!

Ditto. Imagine the conversations with her about how she is particular about everything. Can you say control freak?

Yes, that is how I want to spend my holiday.

 

[AristocatFan]

Wow! That has to be a joke! Why tell someone to bring turnips then tell them most people hate them anyway? I would also do things she didn't want just to play with her, that is if I went at all!

 

[merryweather20]

I thought it funny how she told one family to bring the pie knife, instead of the actual person bringing pie. She already knows the pie person won't read the letter, but she expects her to actually bake the pie. Lady, that gal is BUYING a pie.

Hang that, why doesn't this woman have her own pie knifes?

 

[vt_disney_fan]

Here's how my phone conversation would take place:

"Hello?"

"Hey Marney, it's me. How are ya?"

"Great - looking forward to Thanksgiving with you guys!"

"Yeah, about that. Just got your letter, and it ain't happening."

"What do you mean?"

"The menu you request - it ain't happening."

"But I laid it out specifically - the whole thing will just fall apart if you don't bring your piece!"

"Yeah, about that. I've already talked to everyone else, and it ain't happening for anyone."

"What do you mean?"

"Nobody's coming, if this is how it's going to be at your house. I have offered to have everyone over to my house, I'll provide the main dish and drinks, and they can bring whatever sides or desserts they want, however they want."

"But...I don't understand...I thought I made it so clear..."

"Yeah, you did - we just don't like it."

"But...so nobody's coming? I had everything all planned out!"

"That's the problem, Marney - we don't want it that way. We're tired of it. You're too obsessive/compulsive about the whole thing."

"Well, I'll just call everyone then, and change it around."

"No need - it's potluck, or my house. Which is it?"

"But...I just can't deal with the unplanned aspect of it. We've got to have something planned!"

"No, Marney, we don't, it will all work fine, trust me. So which is it - potluck at your house, or mine?"

"Ummm...I just can't believe it...I had it all planned out..."

"Great, my house it is. Hope you can make it - have a great weekend!"

Click.

 

[BigMama]

This sounds like a letter my husbands sister would write!! I guess thats why I haven't spent a holiday with the Inlaws in 16 years!!

 

[EthansMom]

I agree with the fact that the letter is over-the-top. But I can understand where the writer is coming from. She's obviously got a history of hosting the family get-together for 30-40 people, most of whom are not contributing adequately.

She's cooking at least two turkeys, taking care of some beverages, bread, condiments, plates etc.., and has the location (to clean, do dishes...). But people in her family obviously have a history of either not contributing, not contributing enough food, or not having the food prepared for people to eat ahead of time. I've totally been there! I got smart and just quit hostessing holiday meals at my home... for a reason.

 

[redrosesix]

If I recieved a letter like that, I'd call everyone who is instructed to bring something and invite them to my house instead

Me too. We've hosted Christmas dinner for DH's family as well as several family barbeques when the in-laws were in town. Of course, everybody offered to bring something (and I took them up on it) but I didn't think to tell them exactly how those things were to be packaged -- because I wouldn't!

 

[walkerag]

I'd show up with a big bag of dollar menu double cheeseburgers.... cold....

 

[GeorgeG]

I would opt to spend Thanksgiving at Epcot! All I'd need to take is my annual pass.

 

[Tiggerlover91]

From: Marney

As you all know a fabulous Thanksgiving Dinner does not make itself. I need to ask each of you to help by bringing something to complete the meal. I truly appreciate your offers to assist with the meal preparation.

Now, while I do have quite a sense of humor and joke around all the time, I COULD NOT BE MORE SERIOUS when I am providing you with your Thanksgiving instructions and orders. I am very particular, so please perform your task EXACTLY as I have requested and read your portion very carefully. If I ask you to bring your offering in a container that has a lid, bring your offering in a container WITH A LID, NOT ALUMINUM FOIL! If I ask you to bring a serving spoon for your dish, BRING A SERVING SPOON, NOT A SOUP SPOON! And please do not forget anything.

All food that is to be cooked should already be prepared, bring it hot and ready to serve, warm or room temp. These are your ONLY THREE options. Anything meant to be served cold should, of course, already be cold.

HJB—Dinner wine

The Mike ***** Family
1. Turnips in a casserole with a lid and a serving spoon. Please do not fill the casserole all the way up to the top, it gets too messy. I know this may come as a bit of a surprise to you, but most of us hate turnips so don’t feel like you a have to feed an army.
2. Two half gallons of ice cream, one must be VANILLA, I don’t care what the other one is. No store brands please. I did see an ad this morning for Hagan Daz Peppermint Bark Ice Cream, yum!! (no pressure here, though).
3. Toppings for the ice cream.
4. A case of bottled water, NOT gallons, any brand is ok.

The Bob ***** Family
1. Green beans or asparagus (not both) in a casserole with a lid and a serving spoon. If you are making the green beans, please prepare FOUR pounds, if you are making asparagus please prepare FIVE pounds. It is up to you how you wish to prepare them, no soupy sauces, no cheese (you know how Mike is), a light sprinkling of toasted nuts, or pancetta, or some EVOO would be a nice way to jazz them up.
2. A case of beer of your choice (I have Coors Light and Corona) or a bottle of clos du bois chardonnay (you will have to let me know which you will bring prior to 11/22).

The Lisa ***** Family
1. Lisa as a married woman you are now required to contribute at the adult level. You can bring an hors d’ouvres. A few helpful hints/suggestions. Keep it very light, and non-filling, NO COCKTAIL SAUCE, no beans of any kind. I think your best bet would be a platter of fresh veggies and dip. Not a huge platter mind you (i.e., not the plastic platter from the supermarket).

The Michelle ****** Family
1. Stuffing in a casserole with a serving spoon. Please make the stuffing sans meat.
2. 2.5-3 qts. of mashed squash in a casserole with a lid and serving spoon
3. Proscuitto pin wheel - please stick to the recipe, no need to bring a plate.
4. A pie knife

The June ***** Family
1. 15 LBS of mashed potatoes in a casserole with a serving spoon. Please do not use the over-size blue serving dish you used last year. Because you are making such a large batch you can do one of two things: put half the mash in a regulation size casserole with lid and put the other half in a plastic container and we can just replenish with that or use two regulation size casserole dishes with lids. Only one serving spoon is needed.
2. A bottle of clos du bois chardonnay

The Amy **** Family (why do I even bother she will never read this)
1. A pumpkin pie in a pie dish (please use my silver palate recipe) no knife needed.
2. An apple pie in a pie dish, you can use your own recipe, no knife needed.

Looking forward to the 28th!!

 

[kc10family]

Are you kidding me!

I think we would be going to DL for that time frame and not be able to make the wonderful family gathering.

The lady need therapy.

 

[Boston Tea Party]

Your "offering." I guess she thinks she is God.

 

[merekc]

I agree with the fact that the letter is over-the-top. But I can understand where the writer is coming from. She's obviously got a history of hosting the family get-together for 30-40 people, most of whom are not contributing adequately.

I agree. Over-the-top, probably a joke, but sometimes it feels like you have to do this. (Although I never would...to this extreme).

We've had people offer to bring the vegetables. They show up late with cans of green beans and corn. It has to be cooked before we can eat, everything else is on the table getting cold. Rude and insensitive to everyone else who arrived on time and/or spent their entire day cooking.

I UNDERSTAND WHY PEOPLE GO ON VACATION TO AVOID THE HOLIDAYS WITH FAMILY!!!!