My husband bought gifts for his family worth $3,150, but I was shocked when I saw the gifts he bought for me and my family.
As Mia always knew, Family Day was full of surprises. But this year, the gift-giving had more turns than a daytime soap show. As the gifts were being wrapped, no one knew that Mia had a lesson ready that would make even the smartest shoppers think twice. Get your gift receipts ready and settle in for a family get-together you won’t want to miss.
Hi, my name is Mia. Grab your popcorn, because I’m about to tell you a really long story about Family Day, gifts, and a big lesson in how to be grateful.
I’m 38 years old and married to a guy I thought was pretty good. We’ve rocked this thing where our families get together once a year to celebrate and trade gifts. Feels like Christmas, but there’s no tree and twice as much crazy going on.
The catch is that we handle our money like two teens who can’t share a milkshake: we do it all on our own. That means you have to go gift shopping by yourself.
We each choose our own gifts for everyone every year. This is supposed to keep the peace and the fun alive. I like surprises, but last week I found one that made me feel like a much less “fairly decent guy.”
While I was cleaning out my closet—because who doesn’t love a good deep dive every once in a while?—I found the list. Also, it wasn’t just any list. It was like getting a secret sheet on how much your partner really loves you—or doesn’t love you.
The items on his side of the list looked like they were from a Wall Street bonus binge: “My parents—grill—$1500, bro—fishing gear—$700, SIL—bag—$800.” That’s pretty kind, right? But now things get interesting.
For my family? A $75 set of tools. Sure, who wouldn’t want to use the spoon of sadness to stir the soup? For me, the grand prize was a note that said “Smth from Target” and was worth up to $55. Really, a surprise gift from Target? Right now, I kind of think it might be a pack of socks.
The next thing that was going to happen was that I was going to bring some truth to this Family Day with a gift receipt and a lot of sarcasm.
It was like walking into a comic show where the joke is on you when you found that list. What was my first thought? Let’s see if Mia can guess her own present! He might be playing a weird game.
But no, this wasn’t an episode of a weird show; it was real life. The difference hurt more than a Monday morning coffee crash.
So there I was, standing in our closet with this piece of paper in my hand that pretty much told you how much I was worth in Target dollars.
A good deal has always been important to me, but this? He was really being thrifty, especially when you think about how much he spent on grilling gear for his dad’s garden. There were times when I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, so I did a snortle.
While I was wiping away my laugh tears, I thought of a really bad idea. Yes, I would give him his fancy watch. I had been saving up for months to surprise him with it. But now? My lesson on “How to Value Your Wife 101” was going to be built around this.
The days before Family Day were a mix of playing so good it would win an Oscar and planning things behind closed doors. While we ate dinner and said our goodbyes, I smiled and planned the kind of teachable moment that would make reality TV directors cry with jealousy.
And believe me, I’m not Shakespeare, but the drama that was about to happen might have won me an Emmy, or at least a spot in the passive-aggressive Olympics.
It was business as usual for me, so I wrapped gifts with extra glitter and a bit of spite. There was a lesson in justice wrapped up in shiny paper and served with a side of cold, hard truth in every ribbon I curled. This Family Day wasn’t just going to be unforgettable.
When Family Day finally came around, I was acting like it was just another fun get-together. I’d have a shelf full of awards for people who act normal when they’re really mad. Everyone was talking and buzzing with excitement, completely unaware of the drama I had neatly wrapped up.
The sharing of gifts began in a normal way. I thoughtfully chose gifts and watched as I gave them to people, making their faces light up one by one. My gifts were perfect for everyone, from coffee addicts who love specialty mixes to book lovers in the family who love first editions.
An orchestra of happiness was playing in my head. It was a big change from my dear husband’s boring shopping trip.
Then the big ending came. My husband, bless his heart for not knowing what was going on, was almost quivering with excitement for his turn. I kept his gift a secret until the very end, like the ending of a scary movie.
The room was silent as I gave him a small box that was beautifully wrapped. In this case, you could almost hear a pin drop, which meant that his hopes were dashed.
He tore into the box like a child who has been told there is candy inside but only finds broccoli. He wasn’t expecting a fancy watch inside, but instead found a plain mirror.
Here is my note, written in the best handwriting I can do (thanks to YouTube videos): “Think about how much you value the people who love and care for you.” This mirror shows how hard you worked on my gift. May it help you see how valuable the people around you really are.
After that, there was a deep silence. As he read the note, you could see different thoughts going through his mind. His face was a perfect mix of confusion and understanding. At the same time, the room was so quiet that you could hear everyone giving up on their diet plans.
I wasn’t done yet, though. With a flourish, I turned to my family and gave them a set of keys, just like a magician pulling a rabbit out of a hat.
They asked me how much I spent on the car. I told them, “I saved every month for a few years (plus the watch money) to give you this car, something you need badly.” My side of the family let out a cheer that could have turned on a small village.
It was as different as a black-and-white movie. My thoughtful, meaningful gifts vs. my husband’s “whatever works” method at the last minute. If you compare a gourmet lunch to fast food, they both fill you up, but only one makes you happy.
After mirror-gate, the air was as thick as my Aunt Mabel’s fruitcake. He spoke very slowly and looked like he was trying to get himself out of a hole with a spoon.
At the same time, our families were talking quietly to each other, as if they were at a golf event. They didn’t want to break the tension, but they couldn’t wait to comment on every swing.
“Sorry, I didn’t understand what you wanted…” He finally managed to say, “You never told me exactly,” but it wasn’t much of an answer. It was like trying to save a ship that’s sinking with a bucket that leaks.
We might have bigger problems than I thought after nine years of marriage if you still need me to tell you “don’t buy your wife last-minute bad deals.”
There were more whispers around us as people chose sides. I can tell you that there weren’t many people on “Team Cheap Gift.” That look was even given to him by his mother. That one that says, “I raised you better than this, and I’m not mad, I’m just disappointed.” That is the one, yes. Killing.
Family Day wasn’t all awkward turtle times, though. Everyone on my side of the family was excited about the surprise car. It felt like we had just won the big prize at bingo night. On one side of the room, there were cheers, hugs, and happy tears. It felt like the end of a Hallmark movie.
Last of the pie was being fought over as the day came to a close. My husband took me aside. He asked like a kid who just got caught drawing on the walls, “I really messed up, didn’t I?” It was the biggest understatement of the year, but it was a start.
“Yes, you did.” You know, it’s not just the gifts. “It’s about getting to know and appreciate each other,” I said, trying to keep the talk as light as a feather. But to be honest, it felt more like I was dealing with a bowling ball.
We agreed to talk about standards and values in more depth because, let’s be honest, a mirror can only show you so much before you need to talk things out.
The house was so quiet that night that it felt like everyone was holding their breath. I felt like I went a little too far with the mirror stunt as I lay in bed thinking about what had happened that day. Like when you use a sledgehammer to break a nut? But there are times when you need to turn up the noise to be heard.
I had definitely thought about getting a divorce. After being like a sale item in his life’s shopping cart, it seemed like it might be the only choice left. However, the next morning, a small but hopeful event took place.
I saw him searching for “thoughtful gift ideas” on Google. Even though it wasn’t much, it looked like a little green shoot coming up after a fire. Maybe something new could grow here.
So, did he really learn? That one is still being thought about by the judges. Seeing him put in that little effort, though? At least for now, it stopped the split from happening. It made me think that there might be more to us than just missed signals and last-second Target runs.
But hey, I’m not going to hold my breath yet. I bet he will think twice about writing “Smth from Target” on his list for Family Day next time. Also, who knows? Instead of rushing around the store in a hurry, he might start planning something with a little more heart. Doesn’t every girl get to dream? And this time, just maybe, that dream will come true.
If you liked this story, check out this one about a husband who gets a gift that tells him more than he thought.
My husband’s gift revealed his dark secret, and he didn’t even know it.
For me, working from home has been the best thing ever, especially since my mom had to go to the hospital for surgery after finding out she had tumors.
There was no choice, of course.
While my mom was calling, my husband Nick told me, “Deb, you have to go.” We were making breakfast together that morning.
“Are you sure you’ll be okay here by yourself?” As I added milk to my coffee, I asked him.
Nick said, “Of course.” “I have to be here for Pippy anyway, and your mom needs you.” Next week I have to be away for two days, but I’m sure Camila will come over and get him food.
Nick was always going on business trips. Since we weren’t ready to have kids yet, he bought me a talking bird to keep me company while he was gone.
She was my best friend and would often come over to hang out and cook or watch movies with us.
I knew that Camila would take care of Nick while I was gone and make sure he ate and other things.
Nick was getting ready for work while I started to pack my bags. I was scared to visit my mom because I didn’t know what to expect. Since I can remember, my mom has always been the strong one, so I wasn’t used to her being sick.
I knew she needed me now, though. I had no choice but to be there for her.
My mom said, “Oh, honey,” when I arrived at her door with my bag. “You didn’t need to come!”
I told her, “Of course, I did,” and I meant it.
The next few days were spent getting my mom ready for surgery and making sure her house had everything she would need when she got home.
I went to see her in the hospital the evening after her surgery. The medicine she was on made her cry and be emotional.
My mom wiped her tears away and said, “Thank you for coming, Deb.” “I was scared to do this by myself.”
My mom cried even more when I showed her the flower bouquet I had brought her.
I gave her some custard and told her, “It’s time to eat.”
After my mom got out of the hospital, we got into a pattern at home. I would make her breakfast and bathe her, then go to work for a few hours.
She would try to stand up and move around the house while I cooked for us.
It had been two weeks, and I was ready to go back home.
I sat in my mom’s guest room the night before I left and went through my social media. When I saw a picture of Camila with Pippy the parrot, I missed my home so much.
I loved being with my mom, but I was ready to go home again.
As I drove home, I dreamed of having a dinner party with our best friends. The longer I drove, the more I wanted to be with my friends.
What I really wanted was for everyone to talk about their news around a dinner table.
After two days, I was stuck in the kitchen making a huge amount of food for dinner that night. My husband was on vacation, but he would be back in time for dinner.
She walked in just as I was getting ready to bake the dessert, a cheesecake.
“I wish I could help you get set up,” she said. “What should I do?” “Get me to work!”
She put on an apron and tied it up tight while she said hello to Pippy.
“Honey, honey, honey!” It was the first time I had ever heard Pippy’s voice sound so loving.
I said, “That’s new.” This is something I’ve never heard Pippy say!
Camila laughed and smiled at my bird.
After we were done making the food, Camila went upstairs to take a shower so that we could get ready to meet our guests.
Nick came in and gave me a big hug as I poured the champagne into the cups.
He said, “Welcome home.”
He grabbed me for a moment and then let go when Camila walked in looking great.
As more of our friends came in, Pippy kept saying “Honey, honey, honey!” every time Camila walked by.
The bird’s sudden talkability made the rest of our friends laugh.
“Someone must have missed you a lot!” Camila laughed, not realizing that I was having a terrible time inside.
Even though I spent a lot of time with Pippy, he never called me “honey” or anything like that.
There was a seed of doubt planted. I didn’t like how I felt about my bird giving all of its attention to Camila. After that, I started to feel nervous while I washed the dishes while our friends hung out around the house.
There was something very wrong with me. It was something I couldn’t quite figure out.
