Dad decides to return the Christmas gift his kids got him so that he can use the money for his boys' trip, mom refuses to let him go through with it: 'Our kids were so excited'

Author image for Bar Mor Hazut
Bar Mor Hazut • Senior Editor
Dec 29, 2025 2:00 PM EST

As kids, one of the best feelings in the world is seeing something that you made, that you gifted to your parents, being proudly displayed by them in public. We remember how proud we were when we saw the picture we drew hanging in our dad's office, or when mom wore the macaroni necklace we made her to work; it's proof that they love and appreciate the effort we put into those gifts, and that they recognize what they mean to us.

This applies to any gift given to a parent by their child. It doesn't matter if it's a silly drawing or an expensive watch we spent our allowance on, a child's gift is something given directly from their hearts, and should be treated with the utmost care by their parents.

We just passed Christmas, which means that children all around the world have given their parents their Christmas gifts. Some made the presents, while others spent their money on them, and parents now must express their gratitude for their gifts by displaying them for the world to see.

The one thing parents should absolutely not do is what the dad in the story below tried to pull off. This man, a husband and a father of three, is the perfect cautionary tale for every parent and every partner: He didn't get his wife a Christmas gift, he doesn't pay for any kids-related expenses, and he has no appreciation for his kids. 

But the worst thing that he did this Christmas was when he asked his wife to return the gift she and the kids got him, a new pair of sunglasses that he had previously lost. Instead of keeping the thoughtful gift from his loving family and parading it for everyone to see, this dad wanted to use the money he would get from the gift to pay for his boys' trip. A trip his wife has already paid for, while he was supposed to pay her back.

Hurt, the wife and mother of his children refused to return the sunglasses, which led to a big family dispute on Christmas Day. Hopefully, the kids were not aware of their father's behavior, but who knows? One thing is for sure, we doubt this dad has ever hung a drawing from his children in his office…

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  • Children Exchanging Gifts in Festive Living Room
    via Helena Lopes

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • AITAH for being upset that my husband wants to return the Christmas gift my kids and I got him?

    I (35F) went back to school to become a teacher so I can spend more time with my three kids.
    via Dear_Tumbleweed7877
  • Money has been tight because of tuition and an 80- mile commute. One of my kids is autistic, so flexibility matters a lot for our family.
    via Dear_Tumbleweed7877
  • My husband (39M) and I do not share finances-his choice. We split the mortgage, but everything else is separate.
    via Dear_Tumbleweed7877
  • I cover all kid- related expenses. On a recent vacation, my husband left behind an expensive pair of sunglasses he loved.
    via Dear_Tumbleweed7877
  • For Christmas, the kids and I pooled our money and bought him a replacement pair. He didn't get me a gift, which didn't bother me.
    via Dear_Tumbleweed7877
  • He's going on a boys' trip in February and asked to borrow money from me to pay for the Airbnb.
    via Dear_Tumbleweed7877
  • I agreed. When the sunglasses arrived, they didn't fit quite right. Today he asked if he could return them, give me the money, and "call it even" for the money he borrowed for his trip.
    via Dear_Tumbleweed7877
  • Our kids were right there, excited for him to try on the glasses. I told him no-that it was a gift from the kids and me.
    via Dear_Tumbleweed7877
  • He repeated that he'd just give me the money back. I told him that meant he'd be paying me back with my own money and walked away upset.
    via Dear_Tumbleweed7877
  • Now he's mad at me for my reaction. AITAH? Edit: All 3 children are his
    via Dear_Tumbleweed7877
  • Young couple exchanging christmas presents
    via Rossella De Berti

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • ThisWeekInTheRegency 'I cover all kid-related expenses.' WHAT? These are his children, yes? And everything else is 50/50? You're being used, OP. 'He didn't get me a gift, which didn't bother me.' It should bother you. It's appalling. He doesn't seem to have much feeling for either you or the children. NTA.
    via ThisWeekInTheRegency
  • Anxious-Routine-5526 I'm sorry, why are you married to this man? Are the kids not his? Why isn't he financially supporting them? How is it he's borrowing money from you when you're the one paying for all the kid's needs, tuition, and every other expense you have plus half the mortgage? The sunglasses are the least of your problems. It doesn't sound like your husband likes any of you.
    via Anxious-Routine-5526
  • Winternin Does your husband have any redeeming qualities?
    via Winternin
  • Cosmic Citizen6473 Your husband doesn't pay kid expenses, he doesn't get you Christmas gifts. He doesn't want to pay the money he borrowed. Based on the limited info you have provided, all I can say is, why are you with this man? What does he contribute, besides 1/2 the mortgage payment.
    via Cosmic_Citizen6473
  • Abblzzy You are being financially a sed and the quicker you figure that out, the better. My financial a Ise started similarly...
    via Abblzzy
  • Kyra Heiker You're married to an absolute loser. Why are you letting this man be a role model to your children?
    via Kyra_Heiker
  • LegitimateRespect635 Yeah, he's acting like an a- hole. This gift is coming from you and the kids. He doesn't get to choose how a gift is given. It's inconsiderate and selfish. At this point he deserves nothing for how he's handling it. He's trying to be an opportunist with the current situation. This is a very rude and a mean thing to do, plus it's hurtful to the whole family. Him being upset at you is childish. Having a tantrum because he didn't get his way is not an example to set for the kid
    via LegitimateRespect635

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Tags

christmas family drama aita kids mother siblings christmas gifts parenting family money women parents children Father
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