Where do we stand on...

… turkey tax?

Scrooge-like and bound to cause even more tension than usual? Or a thoroughly fair way to ease the financial burden of arranging Christmas?

It’s the age-old problem with hosting festivities: on the plus side, you don’t have to leave the comfort of your own home, and you can do the sprouts exactly as you like them. But there’s the clean-up operation afterwards and, of course, the cost, which seems to get more eye-watering with each passing annum.

When one woman on parenting forum Mumsnet said her mother-in-law had decided to charge her family £17 a head to attend this year’s Christmas dinner, it sparked outrage and cheers in equal measure. “Cannot think of anything less hospitable than setting the menu and demanding your ‘guests’ pay for it,” said one. “Based on how much Christmas costs us I’d say that was a good deal!” cried another.

Don’t forget though that as this is 2018, there’s bound to be a newly vegan niece or conveniently gluten-free cousin who argue they should pay less as they’re not having the turkey, cheese or any of the puddings.

The fairest thing is surely to ask each family member to bring a dish with them instead. But unless your relatives possess equal levels of culinary skills, the results could be a rather mixed bag. “Oh Uncle Roger, those parsnips look interesting. What’s that you’ve roasted them in? Branston pickle? Lovely...”

As with all things relating to Christmas, it won’t be perfect and you’re bound to offend someone. The best way to deal with it? Take a deep breath, and pour yourself another sherry.