Should I Send a Thank You Note (or Not)?!
I asked if they would like anything to drink or eat and they all ate (only a few foods) but the mom didn't want to eat anything or drink anything at all. I soon found out before I served her turkey that she didn't eat meat and she was a vegetarian. I wondered why she didn't tell me beforehand that she couldn't eat meat, so I could fix her something else besides turkey. Continued.....
Answers: Where do I start? Ok so we invited my 4 yr old son's friend and his parents over for Thanksgiving and they were delighted to come join us. I asked the mom before hand if she and her family were allergic to anything or can't eat any foods. She said they can't chocolates or drink sodas but everything else they can eat. 2 days, we made a lot of food and cleaned up our place to make it comfortable for the guests. When the guests arrived, I welcomed the parents by hugging them and when I hugged the dad, the dad just stood there and didn't hug me back for some reason. This made me feel weird so I let it go.
I asked if they would like anything to drink or eat and they all ate (only a few foods) but the mom didn't want to eat anything or drink anything at all. I soon found out before I served her turkey that she didn't eat meat and she was a vegetarian. I wondered why she didn't tell me beforehand that she couldn't eat meat, so I could fix her something else besides turkey. Continued.....
No, do not send a thank you note. They are the ones who should be thanking you!! You went to a lot of trouble and consideration and did everything right. Hopefully, their child is friendlier and more appreciative than his parents. Next time you see one of them just mention that it was nice to spend Thanksgiving with them and that you are glad they were able to come. The next move is theirs, but I doubt they'll be suggesting any holidays at their home.
There is no reason to send them a thank you card, simply because they are the ones that came to your house, and you are the one that fed and entertained them. If anyone should send one, it should be them, although from the sounds of them, I wouldn't hold my breath. Now, if they brought a bottle of wine or a hostess gift, then I would consider it - just a note to say thank you for the lovely gift and for spending the holiday with our family. Otherwise, there's no need.
Please don't let these people ruin your holiday spirit - for one thing, you were courteous enough to ask about dietary restrictions before hand - a lot of people don't even do that. She should have told you she was a vegetarian, though it sounds like you still had plenty of dishes that she could enjoy, and chose not to for some reason. He just sounds stand-offish, though I don't know him, so it's hard to say. Most people, no matter how introverted or stand-offish, would at least have the courtesy to thank you for a nice day before leaving...I would think twice about inviting them over again. You did a very nice thing, and they chose to make it uncomfortable for you - that really stinks, but you can't let it get you down!
Happy Holidays!
Goodness no! What would you thank them for? I don't think they should send one to you either. You invited then to eat and they acted like jerks. Was your house a mess? I just can't imagine why they would treat you like this. That was so tactless. I'm sorry you had to go through this. Better luck next time if you so choose to have a next time ;)
You definitely aren't going to receive one & I wouldn't bother sending them one. You have been kind enough already. I wouldn't doubt they threw the food away that you sent them home with. I think you made a great effort to make them feel comfortable,it wasn't you it was them with the problem. So don't fret. I wounldnt invite them anymore let them make the next move.:)
What a strange experience! I wonder if they just came because their son wanted them to.
Some people just aren't huggers, so don't feel bad about the dad not hugging you back. But, it's normal for the guests to send a thank you note, not the host, so no, you shouldn't send them one.
I think as long as you thanked them when they were leaving for joining you, that should be good enough.
I would consider this a learning experience not to invite them over again for a big dinner. They seem to have very particular tastes which makes cooking a meal for them really hard.
No! You're family is obviously very different from theirs, and you did a nice thing inviting them into your home and cooking for them. Everyone sees things differently, but their behavior, the way that you explained it, seems somewhat rude.
I definitely would not send them a "thank you" card.
You sound like you are a caring person and they should be sending you the "thank you" card.
If you feel like you need to send them anything, I would send them a note, card, whatever...just saying that you enjoyed having them over; and whatever else you would want to add.
But you don't owe them a Thank You by any means.
Diane M
these people sound clueless! I wouldent make a traditon out of spending the holidays with them, 4 sure. if they invite you for x-mas excuse yourself, sure the kids can have playdates. to me it sounds like ma has an eating disorder, and they are both uptight, very ungracious. i wouldent entertaine them agian unless it was a group dinner party.no thank-u card what would u be thanking them 4?