Christmas celebrations come with a set of traditions widely known in the Western world and observed by many of the people who mark the festivity.
Among them are decorating the Christmas tree, writing a letter to Santa Claus and visiting Christmas markets. There are also specific traditions and habits followed by individuals and families, such as the food to be eaten on the big day and what time to open presents.
However, at times these traditions can create friction or animosity, as it happened to one social media user who took to the platform Reddit to share her story.
The mother of this internet user has been requiring for years her loved ones to open all presents, including those between partners, at her home and in the presence of every family member.
Writing in the forum “Am I the A**hole”, the Redditor explained this habit so cheered by the Christmas celebrations hostess has “sometimes sparked jealousy or comparisons between families”.
As a result, this year the Redditor decided to keep one of the presents from her husband a secret from the rest of the family, to avoid being judged.
She wrote: “This year, my husband saved up and bought me my dream designer handbag for Christmas. I know some people aren’t into that, but it’s something that I truly love.
“We’re not well-off, but we’re not doing poorly either, but I knew that the handbag would cause a lot of discussion amongst my siblings and parents. I just didn’t want their opinions and criticisms to ruin a special gift my husband worked hard to get for me.
“So this year, my husband got me an extra gift that wasn’t the ‘real’ gift (it was a moderately priced skincare set). Christmas came and went without drama, but I recently posted a picture of my husband and our kids at dinner, and my handbag could be seen hanging off the back of my chair.
“One of my friends commented underneath about how gorgeous my Christmas gift was as well.”
This prompted the Redditor’s family members to find out about the concealed present – and they “totally blew up” as a result.
She explained: “Some were annoyed that I opened a private gift separately from the family. Others were criticising the price of the gift.
“My siblings are now calling me disingenuous for harbouring a secret gift, and they said that I did it because I think I’m better than them.”
Asking fellow social media users for their opinion on the matter, the poster said she simply didn’t want the opinions of her relatives regarding her beloved present, but she is now starting to feel guilty about keeping it a present.
Most in the comment section sided with the poster, saying she had done nothing wrong. One added she should stop allowing her mother to “dictate” when she can open gifts from her husband.
The comment also read: “Honestly, this is so controlling, and it’s what caused all this stupid sibling rivalry. Your mother made it your siblings’ business what your husband buys you for Christmas. Nope. That ends.”
Another also argued the tradition started by the poster’s mother “seems to reflect the very opposite of what Christmas is supposed to be about”, adding that the Redditor should make different arrangements for Christmas 2024.
