People have different ideas about what gift-giving should look like, with some believing it's about giving personalized presents. In contrast, others use it to gift themselves what they want. The following stories show how people have turned the tradition into something terrible.
Gift-giving is a fun way for people to show each other how much they appreciate one another, but sometimes, the presents given aren't welcome. The following five stories show how gift-giving ruined these people's celebrations.
A man hiding a Christmas gift behind his back from his partner | Source: Pexels
Husband's Christmas Gift Isn't Worthy of His Wife
Taking to Reddit, a woman revealed that she and her husband had been together for three years, and on the year they celebrated their first Christmas together, they followed tradition. The tradition was that they had to buy gifts separately for each other.
While rummaging through some things at their house, the original poster (OP) accidentally came upon her husband's Christmas gift list, and out of curiosity, she read it. She discovered that his friends and extended family were at the top of his gift-buying list.
An upset woman sitting at a desk holding her hand while looking at a laptop | Source: Pexels
Some of his most expensive presents were a wristwatch worth $600 for a coworker, a $250 bracelet for his sister-in-law, and $900 workout gear for his friend. OP couldn't wait to see what he'd gotten her for Christmas after seeing what other people were getting.
However, she was left disappointed when she finally got to her name on the list. Instead of something extravagant like the rest of those on his list, he bought her a stainless steel kitchen spoon set worth $20. The woman was stunned and couldn't ignore the hurt she felt inside, with her stating:
"I was too shocked to ignore this, and I had a confrontation with him about it."
An arguing couple looking away from each other | Source: Pexels
When she asked him about the cheap gift, her husband said he could give whatever he wanted because the purchase was made with his money. She insisted that she felt disrespected by his lack of thoughtfulness, but he argued that she should appreciate his gift regardless of the cost.
The confrontation upset her husband, but she also couldn't easily forget the incident because she felt he didn't value her as much as she appreciated him. OP even revealed that she bought him his favorite shoes or gaming gear during their dating years.
A happy couple posing for a photo together | Source: Pexels
However, in this situation, he slammed her for being an "ungrateful, spoiled brat." He went so far as to ask her to get rid of her selfish attitude and accept what she was receiving for Christmas. Since then, he's refused to talk to her because he thought she was ridiculous.
His actions left OP torn and unsure of what to do, so she sought the opinions of Reddit users. To her surprise and sadly, people told her the same thing: her husband didn't value her the same way he valued his friends.
A couple having a disagreement outside | Source: Pexels
Other people thought OP's husband's behavior warranted a divorce, while someone else urged her to exchange whatever she'd gotten him for something cheaper. Sadly, OP wasn't the only person complaining about receiving an inferior gift for a special occasion.
A gaming console | Source: Pexels
Christmas Day Prank Leaves Fiancèe Emotional after Getting Toothpicks as a Gift
A woman revealed on Reddit that her fiancè was a pediatrician who earned more than her while she worked as a hairstylist. Earning less, however, wasn't an excuse she used to avoid getting him a good Christmas present. For months, she saved up so she could afford to get him the one gift he'd been raving about for months but never bought: a PlayStation 5 (PS5).
It was challenging to find the gift, as everyone wanted the same console. However, after some struggles and determination, OP found the console through a relative who added a markup to the standard retail price.
A Christmas tree set up with gifts | Source: Pexels
That same year, her fiancè launched his private practice and was now in a much better financial state than before. His income was so stable that he gave his parents his old apartment. He also gifted his brother his old Mercedes Benz with expensive customizations.
Days before Christmas Day, OP's fiancè was engulfed by patients. Seeing as he hadn't bothered to ask OP what she wanted for the holiday, she decided to bring it up. She told him about all the valuable things she'd need in the coming year, and he paid attention throughout.
A practicing doctor with his hands folded against his chest | Source: Pexels
OP got the impression that he understood what she was hinting at, and when Christmas Day arrived, her fiancè's family celebrated with them. Everyone started exchanging gifts, and OP's husband handed her the gift he'd gotten her.
To her surprise, it was a pack of toothpicks, which caused his younger sister to giggle while recording the entire thing. OP blinked in disbelief as she was stunned and hadn't expected toothpicks as a gift. To make matters worse, her fiancè made it seem like she was making things awkward.
A bunch of toothpicks | Source: Pexels
He even asked her if she accepted his gift or if he should give it to his niece. OP shared how he insisted she take the gift and thanked her for the PS5 she'd gotten him. Still stunned, she walked out and calmed herself in the bathroom.
She could still hear his family giggling; all she wanted to do was cry. Her fiancè knocked on the door and said it was a prank, blaming the whole thing on his younger sister, who'd suggested it to him. OP lost her mind and started yelling at him, causing his family to gather to watch them fight.
An angry woman standing with her arms crossed | Source: Pexels
She called him "childish" and "insensitive," while he claimed she overreacted. OP decided to spend the rest of Christmas at her mother's house when she had enough. Her future mother-in-law called her and blamed her for ruining everyone's mood.
However, OP's mother defended her, saying everyone was wrong for participating in such a cruel joke. The next day, OP's fiancè showed up with what was supposed to be her actual gift. He even apologized and reiterated that the whole thing was his sister's idea.
An upset couple sitting on a couch looking away from each other | Source: Pexels
OP felt the prank wasn't funny and that her fiancè's 23-year-old sister had no business doing pranks, and neither did he as the eldest of four children. Reddit users ultimately confirmed that she wasn't in the wrong for how she reacted to the cruel prank. OP wasn't the only one who received a bad gift; the man's wife even pushed for revenge in the following story!
A family exchanging gifts on Christmas Day | Source: Pexels