“Your wealth should be reflected in your gifts,” snapped the mother-in-law.
“You earn more than Sophie, so your presents ought to match,” she huffed.
“I really dont know what to get Mum,” mused James, slumping onto the sofa beside his wife.
Emily merely shrugged in reply. Choosing a gift for her mother-in-law had always been tricky.
Tensions with Margaret Whitmore had been simmering almost from the start.
James had quickly grasped his mothers stance, so after discussing it with Emily, the couple had decided to keep their distance.
No one owed anyone anything. Occasional phone calls and the odd family gathering were the extent of their interactions.
This year, however, Margaret had decided to throw a birthday party, inviting much of the familyincluding the young couple.
“Actually, Mum said shed be happy with anything,” James suddenly recalled.
“She always says that, then turns her nose up,” Emily muttered darkly, remembering past slights. “Your sister could give her a biscuit, and shed be thrilledbut not us!”
She vividly recalled Margarets critiques of every gift theyd ever given.
“Remember Mothers Day? We bought her that expensive spa setwhat was her reaction? Tears and complaints that we thought she was old and frumpy,” Emily sighed. “The only gifts she ever liked were gold or gadgetsthings with a price tag she could tally.”
“Maybe I should just call and ask what she wants?” James hesitated.
“Suit yourself,” Emily replied, shaking her head.
Opting for the easy route, James dialled his mothers number to inquire about her gift preferences.
“Darling, I dont need a thing. Just having you there is present enough,” Margaret demurred.
“Are you sure, Mum? You wont be cross?” James pressed.
“Of course not! Id be delighted with any little trinket,” she laughed. James took her at her word.
“Mum says we can get her whatever we like,” he told his wife.
Emily eyed him sceptically. She didnt trust her mother-in-laws promises.
But with James insisting on choosing himself, Emily relented.
“How about a robot vacuum? Then she wont have to lug the hoover around,” Emily suggested, after checking their budget.
The couple agreed. They bought Margaret a £900 gift and arrived at the party in good spirits.
The birthday girl greeted them cheerfullyuntil she spotted the vacuum box, her smile vanishing.
“Why?” she grumbled with a sigh. “James, just put that in the spare room.”
Emily stared, stunned by the reaction.
Shortly after, Jamess sister Charlotte arrived with her husband, flinging her arms around Margaret.
“Mum, this is for you!”
“Oh, thank you, darling! Youve outdone yourself!” Margaret gushed, hugging her tightly.
Curious, Emily wondered what lavish gift had earned such praise.
To her astonishment, Charlotte had given her mother a simple £20 cosmetics set.
She exchanged a baffled glance with James, who looked equally dismayed.
For hours, James bit his tongueuntil Margaret began raving about Charlottes gift again. Then he snapped.
“Mum, can we talk?” he asked, leading her aside.
“Whats wrong?” Margaret frowned.
“Everything! I asked what you wantedremember your answer?” he shot back.
“Of course I remember.”
“Then why the fuss over our gift? That cheap set from Charlotte has you swooning!” James said bitterly. “Dont pretend Im imagining it.”
“I wont lie. You earn more than Charlotteyour gifts should reflect that,” Margaret sniffed.
“And ours dont? Should we start attaching receipts to prove weve spent enough?” James scowled.
“Oh, stop fussing,” Margaret dismissed. “What can I say? Charlottes gift simply pleased me more.”
“Because you dont realise ours cost £900?” James said sarcastically.
“£900?!” Margaret gasped, feigning shockthen swiftly recovered.
“You know why I value Charlottes gifts? They give what they can afford. Yours feel thoughtless,” she declared.
“Are you serious?” James dragged a hand down his face.
“Do I look like Im joking? With your salaries, you couldve booked me a spa weekend,” she said haughtily.
James gaped. “Do you honestly think money grows on trees for us?”
His outburst drew Emily and Charlotte, frozen in the doorway.
Charlotte grasped the situation first. “Mum didnt want a robot vacuumshe wanted an air purifier. Hers broke days ago. If you paid attention, youd know,” she retorted.
“I asked her what she wanted!” James growled. “This is ridiculous! No more gifts. We bend over backwards, and you nitpick! The vacuums not enoughnow its a purifier? Sorry to disappoint!” He turned to Emily. “Were leaving.”
Margaret crumpled into sobs as Charlotte comforted her, while James and Emily stormed out, faces set.
True to his word, James stopped attending family gatherings altogether, sparing himself the stressand learning that no gift could fix a relationship built on expectations rather than love.
