Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
No fees, cancel anytime.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
then open in external browser
and click "Open in External Browser" 
“Never This Rude Or Cruel”: MIL Puts Thanksgiving Above Her DIL, Leaves Her In Tears
Interview With ExpertOne of the wildest parts of marriage is stepping into a whole new family: learning their quirks, swapping stories, and trying to fit right in. You share your favorite things, try to understand theirs, and hope it all blends together like a good recipe. But sometimes, instead of warm hugs, you get cold criticism.
That’s exactly what happened to one woman who poured her heart into hosting Thanksgiving for her in-laws. She spent two full days cooking a feast with her own modern twist… only for them to tear it apart and call her a “bad wife.” Keep reading to see how a holiday meant for gratitude turned into a recipe for family drama.
RELATED:
Many families love sticking to traditional meals during the holidays, it’s comforting, and familiar
Image credits: Andy Quezada / unsplash (not the actual photo)
One woman revealed how her nontraditional take on Thanksgiving dinner was harshly criticized by her in-laws
Image credits: croquem__bouche / envato (not the actual photo)
Image credits: croquem__bouche
She explained that she isn’t a particularly religious person and shared even more details about how the entire dinner unfolded
The Indian dessert market is enormous, with people deeply attached to their traditional favorites
When someone says Turkey, most people picture Thanksgiving feasts and tables overflowing with comfort food, the same way hearing Christmas instantly brings to mind gingerbread, plum cakes, and hot chocolate. Food has this magical ability to anchor us to traditions almost instantly. Across cultures, festive dishes become part of the celebration itself, so much so that the holiday feels incomplete without them. Every country has dishes that show up only once a year, making them even more special. It’s amazing how the world celebrates its festivals with a plate in hand.
Desserts follow the same universal rule: no celebration feels whole without something sweet. In many regions, every festival is practically defined by its signature dessert. India is a perfect example, where each celebration has its own sweet tradition. During Holi, families prepare colorful treats that match the vibrancy of the festival. Diwali turns the entire country into a glowing marketplace of mithai boxes.
According to Statista, the Confectionery & Snacks industry is enormous and still growing. Revenue in 2025 alone is projected to reach US$23.67 billion. The market is expected to grow annually by 6.31% between 2025 and 2030. By 2030, the total volume is predicted to reach 5.85 billion kilograms. Even 2026 is projected to show a volume growth of 3.8%. All these numbers show just how big and competitive this market really is. People love their snacks and sweets, and demand isn’t slowing down. The industry is evolving quickly, fueled by both tradition and innovation. With stats like these, it’s clear this is a massive space to enter.
In such a huge and traditional market, introducing nontraditional desserts like cakes and brownies isn’t a simple task. People already have strong attachments to the sweets they grew up with. Winning their trust requires patience, creativity, and a lot of tasting. Today, we spoke with Akshita Agarwal from caramella_by_akshita, a brand that has carved a space for itself in Kolkata. She specializes in premium artisanal tiramisus and modern desserts. Her journey shows how passion can blend beautifully with innovation. Competing in a mithai-driven landscape is bold, but she has managed to make her mark.
“People absolutely love gulab jamun and ladoos, those are always the first choices for gifting,” Akshita shared. “These classics have been around for so many years that they feel familiar and safe.” She explained how deeply emotional and nostalgic people are about these sweets. They remind them of festivals spent with family, childhood celebrations, and happy moments. For many, these flavors are part of their identity. Getting customers to explore something new was definitely a challenge. Traditional mithai has a charm that’s hard to shake. But rather than fighting this, she chose to understand it. Respecting those preferences became step one.
It’s always exciting when the older generation is willing to try something new
Image credits: Curated Lifestyle / (not the actual photo)
“In the beginning, convincing people to try different desserts was tricky,” she laughed. “So we started really small, offering free samples just to break the ice.” Gen Z instantly connected with the brand, but older generations needed more time. They already knew their favorite sweets and rarely stepped outside them. To bridge that gap, she started experimenting with fusion-style creations. Ras Malai Cake, Gulab Jamun Cake Jars and similar flavors soon appeared on the menu. These blends quickly caught people’s attention and became instant favorites. Customers found comfort in the familiar flavors and excitement in the new form. It was the perfect meeting point between tradition and novelty.
“We realized that dessert isn’t just about taste, it’s tied to emotions,” Akshita said. “People want to hold on to their traditions because they carry memories.” Instead of trying to replace classic mithai, her team decided to blend traditional flavors with modern textures. This approach gave customers something new without losing what they love. It honored their nostalgia while still feeling fresh. By respecting emotional connections, they created desserts that appeal across generations. Slowly, this fusion style started winning hearts everywhere. It proved that tradition and creativity can coexist beautifully.
“I believe it’s always best to conclude on a simple thought,” Akshita said with a smile. “Tradition doesn’t have to be replaced to make space for something new.” She emphasized that food evolves the same way people do: slowly, naturally, and with an open mind. Her brand’s journey taught her that blending old and new can create something truly memorable. It’s not about proving one dessert better than another; it’s about expanding the table. She feels that every sweet, whether classic or modern, has its own charm. What matters most is the joy it brings to the person eating it. And if a dessert can spark conversation or curiosity, that’s already a win. For her, that’s the perfect note to wrap things up on.
In this particular scenario, it did feel like the woman’s nontraditional dishes were judged a bit too quickly. It’s understandable that people cling to familiar flavors, but such harsh criticism seems unfair. A little openness never hurts, especially when someone puts effort into cooking. Food has a funny way of changing minds when given a chance. Everyone has different tastes, but kindness should stay constant. And honestly, trying a new dish costs nothing, who knows, it might even become the next family favorite.
Readers were quick to call out her in-laws’ behavior, saying it was rude and uncalled for
Poll Question
Total votes ·
Thanks! Check out the results:
Total votes ·
Newsletter
Subscribe to Access
Exclusive Polls
By entering your email and clicking Subscribe, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our Privacy Policy.
Thank you! You've successfully subscribed to newsletters!
What do you think ?
FreeTheUnicorn 1 month ago
So husband just sat there and let his parents and sibling berate his wife until she cried? I would re-evaluate the marriage. One comment, it is understandable to decide to confront the person later, especially if they would understand the criticism better but a whole day of insults? I would speak up for someone I didn't like if they were being bullied Dont stay married to someone who wouldnt even try and defend someone he claims to love.
Zoe Vokes 1 month ago
I was thinking that too. She didn’t say he was trying to stop them being mean during dinner, just that he phoned his mum the next day.
Load More Replies...
The Other Guest 1 month ago
If a change to the menu "ruins" your Thanksgiving, then you need to think long and hard on just what Thanksgiving is supposed to be about. HINT: It's not stuffing your pie hole. It kinda reminds me of when I invited my dad to dinner on Easter, which wasn't really a holiday that I celebrate & I didn't think much about the date when I invited him. He complained that we had BBQ burgers instead of ham, green salad instead of mom's homemade potato salad, that the cake was from a mix, not from scratch. He looked surprised when I told him, "You're awfully picky for someone who's getting a free dinner," but he at least had the decency to stop whining LOL.
Boo 1 month ago
I invited my parents to my house once for dinner (mind, I said once). I made spaghetti and my dad about lost his head because I didn't make it the way my mom did. He berated me in my own kitchen because "I wasn't raised that way!". As I'm now decades older, I wish I could go back and tell him to sit down, shut his cake hole and be happy that I invited him in the first place. I would've preferred your BBQ meal over ham any day of the week!
Load More Replies...
Beth Wheeler 1 month ago
I would throw if back at them the next time, if there is a next time you go to their house. Tell your husband what you're planning and hopefully he will jump on that bandwagon with you to show them how horrible they are. When they start bitchingg and complaining, stand up tell them it's your return gift for Thanksgiving, take a bow and walk out on them.
FreeTheUnicorn 1 month ago
So husband just sat there and let his parents and sibling berate his wife until she cried? I would re-evaluate the marriage. One comment, it is understandable to decide to confront the person later, especially if they would understand the criticism better but a whole day of insults? I would speak up for someone I didn't like if they were being bullied Dont stay married to someone who wouldnt even try and defend someone he claims to love.
Zoe Vokes 1 month ago
I was thinking that too. She didn’t say he was trying to stop them being mean during dinner, just that he phoned his mum the next day.
Load More Replies... The Other Guest 1 month ago
If a change to the menu "ruins" your Thanksgiving, then you need to think long and hard on just what Thanksgiving is supposed to be about. HINT: It's not stuffing your pie hole. It kinda reminds me of when I invited my dad to dinner on Easter, which wasn't really a holiday that I celebrate & I didn't think much about the date when I invited him. He complained that we had BBQ burgers instead of ham, green salad instead of mom's homemade potato salad, that the cake was from a mix, not from scratch. He looked surprised when I told him, "You're awfully picky for someone who's getting a free dinner," but he at least had the decency to stop whining LOL.
Boo 1 month ago
I invited my parents to my house once for dinner (mind, I said once). I made spaghetti and my dad about lost his head because I didn't make it the way my mom did. He berated me in my own kitchen because "I wasn't raised that way!". As I'm now decades older, I wish I could go back and tell him to sit down, shut his cake hole and be happy that I invited him in the first place. I would've preferred your BBQ meal over ham any day of the week!
Load More Replies... Beth Wheeler 1 month ago
I would throw if back at them the next time, if there is a next time you go to their house. Tell your husband what you're planning and hopefully he will jump on that bandwagon with you to show them how horrible they are. When they start bitchingg and complaining, stand up tell them it's your return gift for Thanksgiving, take a bow and walk out on them.
You May Like Man Eats Wife’s “Safe Food”, Then Calls Her A Jerk For Not Trying His Mom’s Dish That Could End Horribly Woman Gets A Restraining Order Against MIL After Years Of Harassment, Husband, Finally Sees Mom’s True Face Baked Potato Starts A Couple Conflict, Shocked Fiancé Just Can't Fathom The Whole Weird Situation
Mantas Kačerauskas
Ieva Pečiulytė
Rūta Zumbrickaitė
Related on Bored Panda
33
38