Man buys 15-year-old brother a PS5 and $500 gift card, entitled stepmom insists he's not being fair to his 16-year-old stepbrother

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Remy Millisky • Writer and Editor
May 25, 2025 3:00 PM EDT

You should never be forced into buying someone a present--- it's an act that's supposed to come from the heart. That's why they say it's the thought that counts. Even if you're gifted a sweater you'd never wear, or a clunky coffee mug you can't stand the sight of, the gift-giver thought of you and bought something they thought you'd enjoy. It's less about the value of the gift, and more about the bond that brings you and that person together, whether that's through a long-standing friendship, family ties, or a workplace BFF. 

This guy is frustrated after giving his little stepbrother a gift that was, admittedly, much cheaper than he gave to his actual brother. They just aren't as close, so this guy figured it'd be fine to give a $25 gift card to the dude he barely sees or interacts with. His stepmom and stepbrother should've just thanked him for the gift (even if they talked about him behind his back after the fact). But instead, a simple gift turned into a whole family debate that isn't going to bring any of them closer together any time soon. Check out the full story below, and see if you think this guy's gifting needs work, or if his dad and stepmom are being unreasonable. 

Next, read about this mom who banned her 16-year-old daughter from going on spring break… with good reason! 

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  • 01
    My (M26) dad left my mom for another woman when I was 17 and remarried. I was almost 18 at that point and I really wasn't relying on him for much since my grandparents were helping me out with college. I stayed with my mom but he got split custody of my little brother (m15). The whole situation was just too much for me and I just mentally checked. out when it came to my home life dynamics. As a result though I now have a step brother (m16). I
    via u/Odd-Sky-4069
  • 02
    try and be nice to him but since he became my step brother when I was basically an adult I never really cared to form a relationship with him. A month ago it was my brother's birthday and I gifted him the new Playstation since I wasn't able to play certain new games with him online since he had the old one. I live 4 hours away from him so gaming is the only real connection I can have with him
    via u/Odd-Sky-4069
  • 03
    on a weekly basis. I gifted him the PS5 during a birthday dinner at my dad's house and my step mom got ped. Apparently she's mad I gifted her son a 25 dollar amazon gift card and I gave my brother a 500 dollar gift. I told her he's not my real brother and a 25 dollar gift card was more than enough for someone I barely even know.
    via u/Odd-Sky-4069
  • 04
    My dad got ped too and told my brother that he needs to leave the playstation in the living room so his step brother can use it too. I responded by grabbing the playstation and driving it to my mom's house so he doesn't have to share it with anyone else
    via u/Odd-Sky-4069
  • 05
    When I got back to my dad's house my stepmom said I'm not welcome back unless I treat both my brother and her son equally and I got sick of her sh and said "I don't owe you or your son sh and left. "I
    via u/Odd-Sky-4069
  • 06
    My dad sent angry voicemail after voicemail saying I was being childish and petty and that I'm setting a horrible example for my brother. AITA?
    via u/Odd-Sky-4069
  • 07
    I may be the ah le because my gift to my actual brother was blatantly more expensive then the gift I gave to my step brother
    via u/Odd-Sky-4069
  • 08

    Commenters felt for this dude, and had a lot of disdain for his dad

    Wizofoz737 Total NTA. I've seen this many times- a man cheats, leaves, then expects everyone to just forgive, forget, and play happy families ever after.
    via u/Wizofoz737
  • 09
    Your relationships are YOURS. Your feelings and relations to family are YOURS. Your father is trying to make you accept a situation he made- you have no reason to do so. If the ultimatum is do as he tells you too, or don't have a relationship with him, take him up on it.
    via u/Wizofoz737
  • 10
    Cheezburger Image 10509368576
    via Oleg Ivanov For Unsplash+

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 11
    [deleted] Ahem. I find it pretty rich that ur dad wants you to set "an example" of behavior when he cheated on your mom and divorced her. You are free to establish whatever type of relationship you want with your bio-bro, to the exclusion of dad, stepmom,
    via u/[deleted]
  • 12
    etc. You're GROWN. It's totally ok to have boundaries with family. Stand your ground. Once the dust settles, maybe just visit ur bro at ur mom's.
    via u/[deleted]
  • 13
    Gladtobealive2020 NTA You are correct to protect the present for your brother. If your stepmom is already upset that you arent spending as much money on her precious child as on your brother, i wouldnt put it past your stepmom to destroy it or to insist her son gets to play whenever he wants, to
    via u/Gladtobealive2020
  • 14
    the exclusion of your brother. Just out of curiosity, does your stepmom ever buy you gifts? Because imo, she should be happy with a $25 gift ard for someone you dont even know, and whose mother is responsible for the demise of your family.
    via u/Gladtobealive2020
  • 15
    Igottime23 Your Dad set a poor example by being a cheating a hole. Your step-mother set a bad example for her child. They , you NTA. are
    via u/Igottime23
  • 16
    we CO
    via Oleg Ivanov For Unsplash+

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 17
    [deleted] First of all, dad and stepmom are doing blended family wrong. They don't get the right to just "force" these dynamics on you due to dad getting remarried. If any bonds form organically, different story, but that's not the case here clearly.
    via u/[deleted]
  • 18
    Second, that was a gift for your brother.. And way to make your brother's birthday gift a "family" gift. F NTA that sh.
    via u/[deleted]

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family drama stepmother siblings stepmom dad family video games step brother brothers Father
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