The build-up to Christmas Day is almost as exciting as the actual day itself, and often includes parties with friends, work colleagues, and family. However, Christmas can be a significant financial burden, and with prices rising, you may be looking to cut costs wherever possible. But what would you do if someone invited you to a party, and then asked you to bring all your own food?

That's exactly what one man did, and his friends were less than impressed they wouldn't be getting a free ride and enjoying an all-expenses-paid spread. The man explained he and his wife throw a Christmas party every year at their house for friends, family, and some of their co-workers.

In previous years, he and his partner have provided all the food for the gathering, and spent around $500 (£380) on catering for the event.

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However, he was urging people to bring food to one gathering as a contribution to the party, which left some seething and unable to believe their cheek.

In an upload on Reddit, he said: "Quick post, just trying to get opinions as my wife and I have gotten a lot of backlash over our annual holiday party.

"Every year, we hold a little soiree-type gathering at our house - there are usually 20-25 people who come. Nothing crazy. It's a mix of coworkers, family, and friends."

He shared they added some "stipulations" to attending because they'd been spending too much on funding the party each year.

"On the invites that we mailed out, we added that guests need to bring a dish with them to the party if they'd like to attend. We listed some potential dishes that they can bring, or they can bring their own creation. If not bringing a dish, the alternative would be paying $20 (£15) per guest, to help offset food costs," he shared.

However, this did not go down well with six of the potential attendees, and they chose not to RSVP.

When chased, they branded the couple "selfish" to expect guests to bring something, and it was "not considerate".

Some were quick to point out this was more than reasonable, and often how dinner parties worked nowadays to ensure the labour was fairly split, but others said he would have to accept that some people would decide not to attend as a result.

One person said: "I wouldn't have asked for the money. That turns a fun get-together into an event with an entrance fee. Just changing the name from 'Holiday Party' to 'Holiday Potluck' and asking guests to bring a dish would have been enough."

Another added: "You were clear upfront with the requirements to attend. So, provided you aren't upset when people choose not to attend or upset when someone brings a bucket of KFC and not what you suggested, then you are not the a**hole.

"It does get tacky that you phoned and asked why people weren't attending. You can ask, and they can decline."

Someone else penned: "Just don't get angry if people don't want to come."