“Since you’re wealthier than Emma, your gifts should reflect that,” grumbled the mother-in-law.
“I have no idea what to get for Mum,” pondered Eric, slumping onto the sofa next to his wife.
Rachel shrugged in response. Choosing a gift for her mother-in-law had always been a struggle.
Her relationship with Margaret had been strained almost from day one.
Understanding his mother’s stance immediately, Eric had discussed with Rachel, and they decided it would be best to keep their distance.
No one owed anyone anything. Rare phone calls and shared holidays, if both parties were willing, summed up their interactions.
This year, Margaret decided to celebrate her milestone birthday by inviting a significant portion of the family, and Rachel and Eric weren’t left out.
“Actually, Mum said she’d appreciate any gift,” Eric suddenly remembered.
“She always says that, but then she turns her nose up,” Rachel frowned, recalling past events. “Your sister could give her anything, but not us!”
Rachel remembered well how Margaret would criticize every one of their presents.
“Remember Mother’s Day? We gave her a luxurious and expensive set of beauty products, and what did we get? Tears and complaints that we thought she was old and unattractive,” Rachel sighed thoughtfully. “Which gift has she ever accepted graciously? Only gold or gadgets, because she checks their worth.”
“Maybe I should just call her and ask about the gift?” Eric said hesitantly.
“Do as you see fit,” Rachel shook her head.
Eric, opting for the easy route, dialed his mother’s number, eager to find out what she wanted as a present.
“Son, I need nothing. Just come over, that’s all I want,” Margaret replied shyly.
“Mum, really? You won’t hold it against us later?” Eric quickly inquired.
“Of course not! I’d be happy with any trinket,” she laughed, prompting Eric to follow her advice.
“Mum said we could really get her anything,” Eric informed Rachel.
Rachel looked at her husband skeptically, not fully trusting Margaret’s words.
However, as Eric insisted on choosing a gift for his mother at their discretion, Rachel relented.
“Let’s get her a robot vacuum cleaner so she doesn’t have to drag around the hose,” suggested Rachel after budgeting.
With that, the couple made their decision. They bought Margaret the gift for five hundred pounds and headed to the celebration with peace of mind.
The birthday woman greeted Eric and Rachel with a joyful face, which quickly soured upon seeing the vacuum cleaner box.
“Why?” she grumbled, sighing heavily. “Eric, take it to the room.”
Rachel stood stunned for a few moments, taking in her mother-in-law’s lack of appreciation.
Behind them entered Eric’s sister with her husband. She embraced her mother and cheerfully exclaimed, “Mum, this is for you!”
“Thank you, dear! How did you know!” Margaret exclaimed, hugging her daughter.
Curious, Rachel peered to see what expensive gift the sister gave that could delight her mother-in-law so.
To her surprise, she saw that Emma handed her a simple beauty set from a shop worth about ten pounds.
Rachel gave Eric a questioning look, as he also saw what Emma gifted their mother.
From Eric’s expression, she knew he was deeply dissatisfied with how Margaret reacted to their gift.
He kept his composure for several hours, but as Margaret praised Emma’s gift once more, he reached his limit.
“Mum, can we talk?” Eric called his mother aside.
“What is it?” Margaret asked, coming over. “Is something wrong?”
“It’s not right, Mum! Remember what you told me about the gift?” Eric said reproachfully.
“I remember…”
“Why were you so displeased with our gift? Yet, you’re overjoyed with a cheap shop set,” Eric said in frustration. “Don’t lie that I’m imagining things.”
“I won’t. You’re wealthier than Emma, so your gifts should reflect that,” Margaret grumbled.
“And what do you think we’ve been giving, cheap ones? Should we include a receipt with every gift for your approval?” Eric frowned.
“Oh, here we go,” it was clear Margaret wanted to end the discussion. “What can I do if I liked Emma’s gift more?”
“Because you don’t know our gift’s value?” Eric asked mockingly. “If you want to know, it cost five hundred pounds!”
“That expensive?” Margaret reacted with feigned surprise.
However, she quickly figured out how to navigate the situation.
“You know why I praise Emma’s family gifts more? Because they give according to their budget, while you just do it half-heartedly,” Margaret declared unexpectedly.
“Mum, are you serious?” Eric clutched his head.
“Do I look like I’m joking? Judging by what you earn, you could’ve gotten me a trip to a spa,” Margaret lifted her chin proudly.
Eric was so stunned by his mother’s words that he stared at her, blinking.
“Do you really think money grows on trees for us, Mum?” Eric said as his voice returned.
Hearing his shout brought Rachel and Emma into the room. Both stood frozen in the doorway, watching the argument unfold.
Emma quickly grasped the reason and sided with their mother.
“Mum didn’t want your vacuum cleaner; she wanted a humidifier. Her old one broke three days ago. If you’d paid more attention to her life, you would’ve known,” Emma said reproachfully.
“I asked her about the gift!” Eric ground out through clenched teeth. “Are you mocking me?! From now on, there will be no more gifts! We bend over backward trying to please you, and you still criticize us! The vacuum wasn’t good enough; a humidifier is wanted instead! Sorry for disappointing you! We’re leaving!” Eric commanded, turning to his wife.
Margaret burst into tears, and while Emma comforted her, the couple with steely expressions left her house.
Eric kept his promise to his mother. To avoid buying gifts and feeling foolish, he decided never to attend family events again and spared himself the stress.
