How to kindly reject a Christmas present...or make another suggestion?!
Answers: So, my sis wants to take me out to dinner for Christmas but I really have to stop eating at restaurants because I have major food sensitivities and just need to start eating healthy again. she wants to take me to a nice restaurant but I know the food will make me feel blech. Should I suggest we do something else? She loves to eat out and I used to, but now the processed, preservative filled foods make me sick.
How lovely of your sister to want to do this for you. You are not going to make her feel very good at all if you reject her offer but you may be able to suggest a restaurant that you prefer. There must be someplace good near you. It is after all just one meal and I know you will eat the following day.
I do not know where you live but there should be some "Health Type Restauants" look them up and suggest that to her.
Is there a restaurant around that you are okay eating at? If there is, try suggesting it. Can you look at the menus ahead of time and find something that you can eat - a good salad, soup, etc? What if you ask her for a gift certificate to a good grocery store instead?
She is your sister, you should be able to tell her that restaurant food makes you sick. She should hopefully understand. Then you can ask if she would like to make a meal together and eat at home? Or maybe just go out for drinks or something?
It is best to announce this kind of change well prior to the occassion. I feel the same way about restaurants. There are only a few that I will go to anymore. If you still feel compelled to go (and I wouldn't), one thing you might consider doing is to order a small dessert (that you pick at but don't really eat) and a cup of coffee.
Well, being your sister, I can't see why she would not understand if you explained your problem to her (she might already know about it?). Yes, I think you can make other suggestions: going to a museum, an exhibition, or to see a play or a show. Think of something she likes.
Most restaurants now have a light side or healthy choice menu, and their are things that you can order that aren't so bad. Baked or grilled Salmon, steamed veggies, salad with dressing on the side. Anything baked and grilled is a better choice than fried.
Tell her you've always wanted to try ________ (and name the place). Pick a nice steak house or quality restaurant that uses very little processed foods.
Have a small fresh steak (or chicken, or fish), a baked potato, and a salad. Hard to go wrong w/ that, and very little processing involved to trigger food sensitivities.
If it's a present for you suggest the restaurant. There are a lot of restaurants out there that are organic, vegan, vegetarian, etc. You should be able to find one.