In-laws and their kids eat all our food

[Anonymous]

So, it is Memorial Day (almost) and my bro and sis in law and their three kids are coming over. It should be called "Memorial Day" because by the team they leave I have a vague memory of when we used to have food in the house. Of course, we are planning ( prob gonna rain) to make burgers and dogs and all, and that's cool . We expect them to eat that. But you have never seen anything like their kids. They are big boys 9 16 year old twins) and a younger girl who is a gymnast, and they are RAVENOUS. Every time they come over, they leave our house more barren than the surface of the moon. The cereal is gone, the candy is gone, the soda is gone, the chips are gone, any baked good is gone, hell even our dog gets nervous. The thing is- they never offer to pay for their children's assaults on our pantry.
I know this sounds trivial to some, but we aren't rich and their visits seriously wipe out an entire grocery run. Is there a tactful way to say "Hey, can you help replace the stuff your children devour?" or do you think we are just stuck ?

[Anonymous]

It seems like you guys shouldn't host. If you're hosting and guests are coming, it's your responsibility to provide enough food and drink for the guests.

If you feel put out by this ,ask your brother and sister in law to host next year.

[Anonymous]

Don't host if you're not willing to suck up the expense of hosting. It's that simple. Or say it's a potluck and task them with bringing specific items. Those are your two choices.

[Anonymous]

Just don’t go grocery shopping before they get there or take what you don’t want eaten and hide it in your bedroom. Leave the old stuff that needs eaten up anyways.

[Anonymous]

Why don’t you do it at somebody else’s house? I agree it’s rude for them to eat all the food in your house but you know this is what they do yet you continue to host.

Hide in your bedroom closet any food you don’t want them to eat, leave out the food you do want them to eat but I think it’s easier to do it at somebody else’s house.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why don’t you do it at somebody else’s house? I agree it’s rude for them to eat all the food in your house but you know this is what they do yet you continue to host.

Hide in your bedroom closet any food you don’t want them to eat, leave out the food you do want them to eat but I think it’s easier to do it at somebody else’s house.

I forgot to add that the easiest thing to do would be to say please don’t eat that that is for little Timmy’s lunch. If you’re still hungry, help yourself to xyz.

[Anonymous]

This is the cost of hosting.

[Anonymous]

Make sure you've served enough food for everyone so that they don't have to raid your pantry. Make sure you put out plenty of inexpensive crap like chips and soda and brownies from a mix. As others have said, put the stuff you don't want them to eat in your bedroom.

[Anonymous]

If your pantry is filled with fruit, vegetables and baking supplies, then you won't have an issue.

Skip chips, soda, juice, and cookies. Now and forever.

[Anonymous]

Why are you not asking your brother to bring some supplies?

"Hey Jim, we've got hot dogs, hamburgers, buns, potato salad, watermelon, corn on the cob, soda/beer/wine, and two desserts. If it would be great if you guys could bring chips, dip and a vegetable tray. If you think your crew is going to want more than that, feel free to bring anything else they like."

And then when the food's gone, it's gone.

[Anonymous]

Hosting is about hosting, and they have four teens so yeah, it's going to be a lot of food to host.

I would probably go to Aldi or Costco and get economical choices. You don't need blueberries, bananas are fine. You don't need brand name cereal, just get a huge bag of it and put it in another container if you don't want to reveal you "downgraded" for them. If you don't want to buy sodas and sports drinks, don't. Don't buy readymade cookies or treats, make some and be done with it.

I could go to Costco and spend $200 or Aldi and spend $125 and have more than enough food for this crew. I'd budget for it, get it, and it would be gone when they are.

I'd much prefer that to my in-laws who ask to go out 4 times, pretend they will be paying by offering to, and either go to the bathroom when the check comes or when we are ordering the takeout or wait so long to offer that it's clearly not happening. We spent $500 on them this weekend.

[Anonymous]

I would have a problem with any guests helping themselves to food that was not out/offered. I do think you have to realize the 16 year old boys eat a ton...so like 3 hamburgers is not unexpected. Be sure you are serving enough at the meal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So, it is Memorial Day (almost) and my bro and sis in law and their three kids are coming over. It should be called "Memorial Day" because by the team they leave I have a vague memory of when we used to have food in the house. Of course, we are planning ( prob gonna rain) to make burgers and dogs and all, and that's cool . We expect them to eat that. But you have never seen anything like their kids. They are big boys 9 16 year old twins) and a younger girl who is a gymnast, and they are RAVENOUS. Every time they come over, they leave our house more barren than the surface of the moon. The cereal is gone, the candy is gone, the soda is gone, the chips are gone, any baked good is gone, hell even our dog gets nervous. The thing is- they never offer to pay for their children's assaults on our pantry.
I know this sounds trivial to some, but we aren't rich and their visits seriously wipe out an entire grocery run. Is there a tactful way to say "Hey, can you help replace the stuff your children devour?" or do you think we are just stuck ?

Tell them it is a potluck and ask them to bring something. Leave out cheap food and snacks (chips and salsa, grapes, a bowl of cheap candy) and tell everyone the pantry is closed.

[Anonymous]

So, you host a Memorial Day cookout for your family. You guys grill out, and then the kids raid your pantry and fridge? Why are you allowing this? And you're obviously not used to having athletic teens. I have two; they eat way more than you think. You aren't serving nearly enough food at your Memorial Day cookout.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It seems like you guys shouldn't host. If you're hosting and guests are coming, it's your responsibility to provide enough food and drink for the guests.

If you feel put out by this ,ask your brother and sister in law to host next year.

+1

If I ever found out that a host felt this way about my family, I'd never come again! Or I'd bring the food for everyone INCLUDING your family. Don't you feel awful even having those thoughts? I would!