WIFE STATED THAT HER MIL DOESN’T WANT TO EAT HER FOOD ON THANKSGIVING, AND BRINGING HER OWN FOOD WITH HER

A woman had stated that she decided not to invite her MIL to the Thanksgiving dinner, because she doesn’t eat the food that the woman was spending hours, and bringing her own food with her. She had stated that it is a disrespectful act towards her, and wanted advice from the people on the Reddit, where she shared her story.
She had stated that she is preparing to Thanksgiving, as she is trying to create a good menu, where she tests the food before the big day. “This year I (32F) am hosting Thanksgiving at my house and I have been working all month on coming up with the menu and testing all my recipes. I am so excited to share my cooking with my family and my husband (35M) has been supportive and helpful through all the planning and prepwork. I have bought all the ingredients and I have a beautiful variety of dishes planned (both traditional and a few unique additions).”
Then, her husband had stated that his mother is going to bring her own food, because she doesn’t like anything his wife was preparing. “Well today my husband dropped the bombshell on me that his MIL wants to bring her own dinner to eat when she comes over. I asked him why she would need to bring her own food when I will have more than enough here. He just made excuses saying I know how his mother is a “grade A picky eater” and she won’t “like” anything I have prepared. I thought that was ridiculous, I am not making anything unfamiliar to her and there will be plenty to choose from.”

She found it disrespectful, and stated that she is trying to embarrass her. “He argued that her bringing her own dinner would be a good compromise and I disagree. It will be hugely obvious that she’s making a comment on my cooking and it would be humiliating to have her there eating something completely different in front of everyone, it’s like she’s trying to make a point of showing that my cooking isn’t good enough for her.”
The woman also added, “I think she is being incredibly rude and disrespectful of the time, money, and labor I have put into this upcoming meal. I told him if she can’t eat anything here then she is welcome to stay home and eat whatever she wants. My husband is now calling me insensitive and petty. He says I am ruining the holiday. I don’t see it that way. I only want friends and family around who are appreciative and kind – I don’t need the negativity of someone rejecting everything I’ve cooked and insulting my cooking when I’ve worked so hard.”
Here are some of the advices and comments made by Redditors.
“Be sure to point out to the other guests, in a lovey dovey, if perhaps a wee bit patronizing, tone of voice how MIL has special needs dietary restrictions and brought her own food and you are SO GLAD she could make it even though eating away from home is so difficult for her. Offer to help her heat up her meal. Tell her it looks absolutely delicious and ask for her recipes and ask her is she could bring one of her wonderful dishes to the next gathering. Meanwhile, you and your other guests can enjoy your fabulous meal and your MIL can listen to all the compliments you get for it.”

“This is one of those situations where the MIL thinks she’s embarassing OP but she’s really embarrassing herself. OP, consider how good you will feel as you watch her get more and more uncomfortable eating her special meal. And consider that if you uninvited her with no explanation you will look like an asshole, if she brings her own food she will look like an idiot.”
“Alternatively, but only if op is real sure about the pettiness on MIL’s part, ask MIL a list of items she can and wants to eat. Op, like a good, concerned DIL will cater to that. Work with her real closely on that. “Are you sure it’s 45 seconds? Not 47? Goodness knows I don’t want you to be uncomfortable.” If she plays her cards well, it will not backfire. Either MIL will squirm (how can she not look like an AH if DIL offered to cater to her needs?), or if her picky eating is actually true (and not an AH otherwise) appreciate the extra care.”
What do you think? Let us know.