“You’re wealthier than Anne, so you should be giving gifts that match your status,” grumbled the mother-in-law.
“I have no idea what to get Mum,” pondered Michael as he plopped down next to his wife on the couch.
Lisa shrugged in response. Choosing a gift for her mother-in-law had always been a challenge.
Her relationship with Alison Smith had been strained almost from day one.
Michael quickly understood his mother’s stance, so after discussing it with his wife, the couple decided to keep a bit of distance.
No one owed anyone anything. Rare phone conversations and occasional shared holidays, if both parties were inclined, were all that defined their interaction.
This year, Alison decided to celebrate a milestone birthday and invited a significant number of relatives to her event, including the young couple who were not spared from attending.
“Actually, Mum did say she’d be happy with any gift,” recalled Michael suddenly.
“She always says that, then sticks her nose up,” Lisa frowned, recalling previous experiences. “Your sister could give her anything and she’d be thrilled, but not us!”
Lisa remembered vividly how Alison would critique every gift they gave.
“Remember Mother’s Day? What did we give her? A lavish, expensive skincare set. And what did we get in return? Tears and reproach about implying she was old and unattractive,” sighed Lisa thoughtfully. “Which of our gifts did she ever appreciate? Only gold or gadgets, because she can verify their price.”
“Perhaps I should just call her and ask about the gift?” Michael suggested uncertainly.
“Do what you think is best,” Lisa nodded, unconvinced.
Opting for the easier route, Michael dialed his mother’s number to find out what she wanted as a present.
“Darling, I don’t need anything. Just you coming would be my gift,” Alison replied shyly.
“Mum, are you sure? You won’t be upset with us later?” Michael hastily clarified.
“No, of course not! I’d be happy with a little trinket,” she laughed, and Michael decided to take her at her word.
“Mum said we can give her whatever we think is best,” Michael reported to his wife.
Lisa looked at him skeptically. She didn’t entirely trust her mother-in-law’s words.
But since Michael insisted on choosing the gift himself, Lisa relented.
“I suggest we buy her a robot vacuum cleaner, so she doesn’t have to lug the vacuum around,” calculated Lisa, considering their budget.
That settled it, and the couple bought Alison’s gift, spending about two hundred pounds, and went to the birthday party with peace of mind.
The birthday girl greeted her son and daughter-in-law cheerfully, but her expression soured the moment she saw the vacuum box.
“Why?” she murmured, sighing heavily. “Darling, take it to the other room.”
Lisa stared, taken aback, at her mother-in-law who didn’t appreciate their gift.
Soon after, Michael’s sister and her husband entered. She hugged her mother, exclaiming joyfully:
“Mum, this is for you!”
“Thank you, darling! How did you know?” Alison embraced her daughter enthusiastically.
Lisa’s curiosity piqued, she wondered what extravagant present Michael’s sister had given their mother that brought such joy.
To her disbelief, Lisa saw Anne hand her mother a simple skincare set from a local shop priced at a few pounds.
Lisa glanced questioningly at Michael, who had also seen what Anne gifted Alison.
From Michael’s expression, she understood he was quite unhappy with how their mother reacted to their gift.
Michael restrained himself for several hours, but when Alison once more extolled Anne’s present, he couldn’t hold back.
“Mum, can we talk?” Michael called his mother aside.
“What is it?” she asked, approaching him. “Is something wrong?”
“Yes, Mum! I asked you about what you wanted for a gift. Do you remember what you told me?” Michael accused.
“I remember…”
“Why then were you so dismissive of our present? Yet you’re still praising that inexpensive shop set,” Michael said, hurt. “Don’t deny it; I saw your reactions.”
“I’m not denying it. You’re wealthier than Anne, so your gifts should reflect that,” Alison retorted.
“And you think we don’t give proper gifts?” Michael frowned. “Do you want us to attach receipts to make you happy?”
“Oh, here we go again,” clearly wishing to end the conversation. “What if I liked Anne’s gift more?”
“Because you don’t know the cost of ours?” Michael scoffed. “In case you’re curious, it cost two hundred pounds!”
“That much?” Alison feigned surprise.
But she quickly found a way to escape the awkward situation.
“You know why I praise Anne’s family’s gifts more? They give within their means, whereas you don’t put much thought into it,” Alison shot back unexpectedly.
“Mum, you can’t be serious,” Michael clutched his head.
“Do I look like I’m joking? Based on your income, you could have gifted me a spa holiday,” Alison declared, holding her head high.
Michael was so taken aback by his mother’s words he stared at her for a few moments without blinking.
“Do you really think money just falls from the sky for Lisa and me?” Michael’s voice unexpectedly rose.
Lisa and Anne rushed in upon hearing Michael’s voice raised. They both froze at the doorway, staring at the unfolding argument.
Anne quickly figured out the subject of the argument and sided with her mother.
“Mum doesn’t need your robot vacuum cleaner; she wanted a humidifier. Her old one broke three days ago. Maybe if you paid some attention to Mum’s needs, you’d know this,” Anne reprimanded.
“I asked her what she wanted for a gift!” Michael gritted his teeth in frustration. “Are you both mocking me? No more gifts! We go out of our way to please you, yet you criticize us! A robot vacuum isn’t good enough, but a humidifier it is? Sorry we didn’t meet your expectations! We’re leaving!” commanded Michael, turning to his wife.
Alison burst into tears, while Anne comforted her. The couple left Alison’s house with hardened expressions.
Michael kept his promise to his mother. To avoid feeling foolish, he decided never to attend family events again and spare himself the stress.
