Merry messes: 25 Times holiday expectations didn't match reality

Author image for Remy Millisky
Remy Millisky • Writer and Editor
Dec 25, 2023 3:00 PM EST

This holiday season, make sure to read the reviews before you buy your loved ones presents on that sketchy website. You know the kind: they advertise a beautiful blanket for $5, or a brand-new bike for $10. The prices make you narrow your eyes and wonder what the catch is. Well, the catch is that it's way too good to be true. 

The same is true of DIY crafts and baking projects. How hard could it possibly be to make some Santa Claus cookies or a Christmas tree puff pastry? Thanks to Photoshop and professional chefs of the world, the average person might think it's easy to pull off. If you're expecting a delicious treat, you'll probably get that. Is it going to look as professional as that Pinterest photo you pinned? Probably not. The reason it looks so great is thanks to food photographers, who have all kinds of tricks up their sleeves to make food look as perfect as possible. Don't worry, though, your messy holiday treats will still be beloved by the whole family as long as they taste great. 

Check out these silly times when people's expectations didn't align with the reality of what actually happened. Then, this student made two huge mistakes: paying someone to write his paper, and then accidentally forwarding his teacher their email chain. 

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  • 01

    This candy cane dessert is looking a little exploded, yet still delicious

    Use audio 133K 812 10.6K cici.soriano This is the third year in a r... more Copy ♫arey - All I Want fo 03 envle SILPAT
    via u/sspeno
  • 02
    Cheezburger Image 9855348736
    via u/CoproliteSandwich
  • 03

    This was supposed to say "Merry Christmas," but this person got the remixed version

    STTTHM S m
    via Imgur
  • 04

    Rudolph! No!

    LIGHT UP YOUR TASTE BUDS NEW! RUDOLPH PANCAKE BREAKFAST Two fluffy pancak with turkey bacon antle topped with whipped crea late eyes and no ed with two eggs hash browns. YESSSSS NE YESSSS
    via Imgur
  • 05

    Thank goodness for that one-star review on this "light up" decoration

    ellecmm Shimmer Chicken Christma rations Light-Up Chicken with Scarf Decoration Christmas Chicken Deco door Yard Ornament ★☆☆☆☆ (1.0) 1
    via u/lucyinthesky33
  • 06

    Would you shell out $583.00 for this tree? Because that's how much it cost!

    Cheezburger Image 9855303680
    via u/Latter-Solution-9247
  • 07

    The result looks 100x tastier than the first image, so OP is winning

    ASED Sty
    via Stelark
  • 08

    Santa has a red nose, not red eyes, right?

    Cheezburger Image 9855295744
    via u/aggadoo

    Call it artistic license! 

  • 09

    Maybe it just needs a little love

    oficial Tree LAKES
    via u/BeadyWeady
  • 10

    Terrifying

    Cheezburger Image 9855304448
    via u/SmokingThunder
  • 11
    EXPECTATION REALITY
    via PhillPerry
  • 12
    This Tiny Blue House 88k followers 0+ Best Gorgeous Festive ristmas Tree Decor Ideas Visit Follow Save DEVI SA PO KOTWY TEM AMUSAN
    via armadillogiraffe
  • 13

    Someone wanted to test out that claim

    SHATTER PROOF
    via u/SmokingThunder
  • 14

    These strawberry Santas have seen better days

    Cheezburger Image 9855310592
    via u/SmokingThunder
  • 15

    Cool idea, too bad it doesn't look quite the same

    During winter fill balloons with water and add food coloring, once frozen cut the balloons off & they look like giant marbles or Christmas decorations. ها
    via u/pnw_smalls
  • 16

    Just try to look at your decorations from a distance

    22
    via u/TheFurrBall1
  • 17

    One person tried to buy big Christmas ornaments, and got... a beach ball of sorts

    Cheezburger Image 9855314432
    via u/kajola1969
  • 18

    Looks like this "make your own" chocolate tree made itself

    DAIRY MILK MAKE YOUR OWN CHRISTMAS TREE BREATE 2x Cadbury Dairy Milk Winter Wonderland Edition bars Cadbury Dairy Milk Buttons & Cadbury White Buttons
    via u/SteppingOnLegoHurts
  • 19

    These crystals want to freestyle. I see your vision, crystals

    SCIENCE (A MUSEUM ACTUAL SIZE CRYSTAL GROWING TREE BAUBLE Watch as crystals grow on the Christmas tree CHEMISTRY
    via u/catfayce
  • 20

    This puff pastry is puffin'

    spinach dip stuffed crescent roll christmas tree REAL HOU MO
    via r/ExpectationVsReality
  • 21

    I love this guy

    INFLATABLE Snowman Bonhomme de neige up wit for her P Tink 2.44m
    via u/MyEnglishIsLow
  • 22
    Cheezburger Image 9855348224
    via u/[deleted]
  • 23
    Expectation LITE Reality
    via u/ItsReflexx
  • 24
    The first picture is what I ordered. The second picture is what I received. K 6ft 7 11
    via u/heyhutchess
  • 25

    Thank you for paying the dog tax, but...

    timhortons @timhortons
    via u/Bagerzz

    This is a pretty poor excuse for a "reindeer."

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Tags

FAILS christmas gifts happy hanukkah christmas tree merry christmas christmas lights family food funny holidays
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