An Australian mother has revealed her festive season is turning into a “nightmare” after her mother-in-law called her “selfish” and accused her of “ruining Christmas” over a “petty” act.
The mother, who had meticulously planned her children’s Christmas gifts this year, explained that she and her husband decided to spend the holidays at her in-laws’ house, four hours away, to make the season even more special.
She ordered all the gifts online and had them sent directly to her mother-in-law’s house to save time.
“My mother-in-law said she didn’t mind wrapping them all before we arrived,” the mom revealed on Reddit.
‘When we got here, he told me that most of the gifts were wrapped and stored in his basement. She insisted that I rest after the trip, so I left her alone.
But later, curiosity got the best of her and she decided to check out the gifts while her mother-in-law was taking a nap, when she made a surprising discovery.
‘I went down to their basement and noticed that the larger gifts already had gift tags attached. When I turned the labels over, they all said “From Grandma.” Not just one or two: all the big ones!’
Surprised, the mother immediately told her husband, who admitted that he knew about the change.
An Australian mother has revealed her festive season is turning into a “nightmare” after her mother-in-law called her “selfish” and accused her of “ruining Christmas” over a “petty” act.
“She said her mother had asked if she could put some of her labels on because ‘she didn’t want to disappoint her grandchildren.’
“He thought it was no big deal, especially since this is the only Christmas we’ll spend at his house,” she explained.
But the mother was furious.
‘Most of the bigger gifts are things I pre-ordered months ago. “I thought a lot about them and even personalized some toys with their names, which cost a lot of money,” he said.
When her mother-in-law woke up, the mother confronted her about the exchange of gift tags.
‘She got very upset and told me I was being selfish. He even tried to make me feel guilty, saying that this might be one of the last Christmases he will have because he is getting older.
‘She’s 71 years old, she’s not that old! Then he said I was ruining Christmas.
Now, the mother feels conflicted about how to move forward.
The mother, who had meticulously planned her children’s Christmas gifts this year, explained that she and her husband decided to spend the holidays at her in-laws’ house.
‘I don’t know what to do. Should I leave the tags on and apologize? Or put my own labels back on me and tell him I should have bought more? “I just want to keep the peace for my children, but this is turning into a nightmare.”
Hundreds of people took the mother’s side and assured her that her reaction was appropriate.
‘Your MIL is overreaching and taking advantage of a situation. What did he really get for the grandchildren?
I shouldn’t have asked your husband and he knew very well that he was doing it just to avoid you. Clearly you were the one she organized everything gift-related with until she decided she wanted to put her name on things.
“Very misleading of them and really embarrassing that your husband didn’t tell you right away, even if he was okay with it.” Maybe I should also help more with gifts in general,” said one.
A second wrote: “The husband dropped the ball big time by not contributing to the planning of the donation and allowing his mother to take credit for his wife’s hard work without even consulting her.” “It’s worrying that he doesn’t see how unfair and disrespectful that is.”
‘If you don’t want to disappoint the kids, you should buy them something. I’d be tearing off those labels.
But others criticized the mother’s “strange” behavior.
‘Did you buy the gifts as recognition or because you thought the children would enjoy them?’ asked one. “I wouldn’t have a problem with this, it seems strange, but it’s no big deal.”
“I can’t speak for everyone, but when I was a kid I couldn’t care less about the gift tag, it was all about the gift. It may bother you, but the kids won’t care. It’s a dumb move on your MIL’s part, but Is it worth fighting? said another.
A third recommended: ‘She asked her husband and he said it was fine. Run to Kmart or wherever and buy some more gifts and make it up to her to make Christmas wonderful and magical for your family.