This story is such a heartfelt and relatable Christmas rant about mismatched gift-giving and the emotions that come with it.
A woman shared how she tried hard not to feel ungrateful this Christmas, but a gift from her mother-in-law left her upset and confused. Despite initially insisting she didn’t need anything, her MIL kept pressing for a wish list. Finally, she mentioned that she’d really love a Kindle nothing fancy, even an old or used one would do.
For her MIL’s gift, she went all out. She hand-knitted an oversized chunky blanket, complete with a custom leather tag reading “Handmade by [her name],” and added a pair of beautiful native turquoise earrings. It was thoughtful, personal, and made with love.
But when she opened her MIL’s gift, she was stunned. It was a Christmas table runner, two tiny plastic wreaths, and a set of Styrofoam cups that said “Merry Christmas.” Her MIL explained that now she could decorate for next year, referencing the fact that the couple didn’t put up a tree this year due to their small apartment and lack of space. The comment felt backhanded, especially considering she only asked for a Kindle after being pressured for ideas. Why ask for a list if you’re just going to buy decor?
She felt hurt, especially after putting so much thought and effort into her gift. It wasn’t about wanting more, it was the mismatch in care and the strange choice of decor when she’d specifically mentioned what she needed. She admitted she almost cried but also felt guilty for being upset.
“Don’t ever give her a thoughtful gift again. Going forward, it’s paper plates and plastic cups since she thinks they’re great presents. I would have loved your gift.”
“Thank you , It took me five hours to make, and I had a lot of back pain from it. I was really looking forward to having a Kindle since I read a lot and would’ve used it. I didn’t need or want anything, but with so much pressure to come up with something, you’d think that would’ve been my gift. It was just weird…”
Gift-giving is supposed to show care and thoughtfulness, and when it feels one-sided, it can be deeply disappointing. This woman poured time, love, and effort into her MIL’s gift, only to receive something impersonal and odd in return. Her feelings are completely valid, and while she doesn’t owe her MIL elaborate gifts in the future, she definitely owes herself the space to acknowledge her emotions and prioritize self-care. Sometimes, you’ve just got to rant and let it out and that’s okay.