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I think it’s fair to say that every family does the holidays differently. You might do Santa up big, or play him down (or ignore him totally). Everyone might buy each other all of the gifts they can afford, or you might draw names from a hat to keep things less expensive (but still loving). There might be so many kids that you just stop buying for everyone period, because it costs a crazy amount of cash.
Whatever you decide when it comes to gifts, as long as your entire family is ok with it – or gets ok with it – you should still be able to enjoy the holiday together.
It’s about family, after all, not presents…right?
That’s what this guy thought, at least, when he and his father agreed that it was no longer necessary for everyone to buy for everyone else’s kids, only their own parent/siblings – great news for OP (original poster), since he was the only childfree dude in the bunch.
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Here is the cast of characters (I really appreciate this guy’s way with words!)
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Things begin to go awry when OP hands over his Nintendo DS, goes to get a drink, and hears trouble brewing.
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No one else is concerned about the situation, but the stepsister eventually wanders in to “handle” things.
Spoiler alert: she handled nothing.
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6 months later, the stepbrother calls with the news that OP should really buy Christmas gifts for the kids this year.
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They have a discussion about it that really doesn’t go all that well.
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And ends with OP thinking they understand each other, and that now no one is getting gifts.
But of course that wasn’t all, because then his father called.
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The same sort of conversation happened, with OP expressing continued disinterest in impressing the kids.
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In the end, OP agrees to buy small gifts and bring them to Christmas.
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OP promises that the kids will definitely enjoy his gifts.
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Enter Christmas, with not 1, but 4 gifts under the tree for each of the four children. He’s excited and can’t wait, so he encourages the kids to open his gifts first.
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The parents agree, and of course, the kids do love their gifts.
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Then all hell breaks loose.
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Then, the beautiful parting shot.
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Here’s your TL;DR if you skimmed up until this point.
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Do you agree with how this guy handled his stepfamily?
I have to say, I do think this guy could be nicer about his nieces and nephews, because they’re family and also just because they’re kids, and really don’t deserve this kind of judgment.
That said, gifts should be optional and no one should be forced to buy them if they’re not moved to do so, right?
Tell me your thoughts on the topic down in the comments!
