**Diary Entry 12th November**
*”Your wealth should be reflected in your gifts,” my mother-in-law retorted.*
*”Youre better off than Charlotte, so your presents should match,” she grumbled.*
*”I really dont know what to get Mum,” Oliver sighed, slumping onto the sofa beside his wife.*
Emily just shrugged. Picking a gift for his mother had always been tricky for her.
Things with Margaret Whitmore had been strained almost from the start.
Oliver had immediately understood his mothers stance, so after discussing it with Emily, theyd agreed to keep their distance.
No one owed anyone anything. The odd phone call and the occasional family gathering were the extent of their interactions.
This year, Margaret had decided to throw a birthday party and had invited most of the familyincluding us.
*”Actually, Mum said shed be happy with anything,” Oliver suddenly remembered.*
*”She always says that, then turns her nose up,” Emily muttered darkly, recalling past disappointments. “Your sister could give her a paperclip, and shed be thrilledbut not us!”*
She remembered every critique Margaret had ever made about their gifts.
*”Remember Mothers Day? We got her that expensive skincare setwhat was her reaction? Tears and complaints, saying we thought she was old and unattractive,” Emily sighed. “The only gifts she ever liked were gold or techthings she could put a price on.”*
*”Maybe I should just call and ask what she wants?” Oliver hesitated.*
*”If you like,” Emily replied, shaking her head.*
Taking the easy way out, Oliver dialled his mothers number to find out her preference.
*”Darling, I dont need anything. Just having you here is gift enough,” Margaret replied sweetly.*
*”Mum, are you sure? You wont be upset?” Oliver pressed.*
*”Of course not! Id be delighted with any little thing,” she laughed. Oliver decided to take her at her word.*
*”Mum says we can get her whatever we like,” he told Emily.*
She gave him a sceptical look. She didnt trust her mother-in-laws promises.
But Oliver insisted on choosing the gift himself, so Emily relented.
*”How about a robotic hoover? That way she wont have to lug the vacuum around,” Emily suggested, after checking their budget.*
They agreed. They bought Margaret a present for eight hundred pounds and headed to the party feeling optimistic.
The birthday girl greeted them with a bright smileuntil she saw the box containing the hoover. Her face fell.
*”Whats this?” she huffed, sighing. “Oliver, just put it in the bedroom.”*
Emily stared at her, stunned by the reaction.
Soon after, Olivers sister, Charlotte, arrived with her husband. She flung her arms around Margaret, exclaiming:
*”Mum, this is for you!”*
*”Oh, thank you, darling! You couldnt have chosen better!” Margaret gushed, hugging her tightly.*
Curious, Emily wondered what precious gift had brought such joy.
To her shock, Charlotte had given her mother a simple set of bath products worth no more than twenty pounds.
She exchanged a baffled glance with Oliver, who looked equally disappointed by his mothers reaction.
For hours, Oliver bit his tonguebut when Margaret started gushing over Charlottes gift *again*, he snapped.
*”Mum, can we talk?” he asked, pulling her aside.*
*”Whats wrong?” she asked, frowning. “Is something bothering you?”*
*”Yes, somethings wrong! I *asked* you about a gift. Remember your answer?” he shot back.*
*”I remember”*
*”Then why the reaction to ours? Meanwhile, you wont stop going on about that cheap set!” Oliver said bitterly. “Dont lie and say Im imagining things.”*
*”Fine, I wont lie. You and Emily are better off than Charlotteyour gifts should reflect that,” Margaret sniffed.*
*”And you think we give rubbish? Should we attach a receipt to every present to make you happy?” Oliver scowled.*
*”Oh, enough,” she said sharply, clearly wanting to end the conversation. “What can I say? Charlottes gift just pleased me more.”*
*”Because you dont know the price of ours?” Oliver scoffed. “In case youre wondering, it cost *eight hundred pounds*!”*
*”That much?” Margaret gasped, feigning shock.*
But she quickly recovered.
*”You want to know why I value Charlottes gifts more? Because they give what they canyou just throw money at things,” she snapped.*
*”Mum, are you serious?” Oliver dragged a hand over his face.*
*”Do I look like Im joking? With your income, you couldve booked me a spa weekend,” she said, chin raised.*
Oliver gaped at her, speechless for a moment.
*”Do you honestly think Emily and I have money raining from the sky?” he burst out.*
His raised voice caught Emily and Charlottes attentionthey froze in the doorway, stunned.
Charlotte pieced it together faster than Emily and jumped to their mothers defence.
*”Mum didnt want your fancy hoovershe wanted an air purifier. Hers broke last week. If you paid attention, youd know,” she retorted.*
*”I *asked* her what she wanted!” Oliver ground out. “Are you joking?! Thats itno more gifts. We *try* to please you, and you criticise us! The hoovers not enoughnow its an air purifier? Sorry we *disappointed* you. Lets go,” he snapped, turning to Emily.*
Margaret dissolved into tears as Charlotte comforted her, and we left with grim expressions.
Oliver kept his word. To avoid further embarrassment, he decided to skip family gatherings altogetherno more stress, no more ridiculous expectations.
