In-Laws Booking Vacations & Christmas Gift Disappointments: Reddit Stories

Unsolicited Family Vacations

• ✈️ An OP is questioning if she's overreacting by refusing to go on a vacation booked by her mother-in-law without consulting her or her husband.
• 🗓️ The mother-in-law, widowed for 10 years, has a history of booking family trips and events without checking availability or preferences, often inconveniencing the OP and her husband.
• 👶 The current trip is planned for May, during OP's maternity leave, but she feels her time is precious and not for her mother-in-law to dictate, especially with an exclusively breastfed baby.
• 🗣️ OP's husband is hesitant to confront his mother, fearing he will hurt her feelings, leading to a recurring argument about boundaries and prioritizing his mother's emotions over OP's peace.
• 🤝 After much discussion, OP's husband agrees that his brother will deliver the news that the family will not be attending the vacation, and they plan to propose an alternative celebration for the mother-in-law's work anniversary.

The Elusive Chocolate Orange

• 🍊 An OP expresses disappointment year after year for not receiving a chocolate orange for Christmas, a tradition started by her late grandfather.
• 🎁 Despite being the only gift OP requests, her family consistently fails to get it for her, opting for other generic gifts instead.
• 💔 OP finds it difficult to ask for what she wants, but the absence of this specific gift brings significant disappointment and a longing for past family memories.
• 💡 In an update, OP takes initiative by buying chocolate oranges for the children, creating new memories and becoming the 'weird relative' who brings a nostalgic treat.
• ✅ OP finds peace in this new tradition, acknowledging the advice to create her own happy memories and honor her grandfather's legacy.

Christmas Gift Disappointment and Financial Control

• 💔 A 30-year-old woman feels deeply disappointed and unappreciated by her boyfriend of 10 years when he fails to give her any Christmas gifts, despite knowing her love language is gift-giving.
• 💰 The boyfriend claims OP didn't receive gifts because she spent too much on her own family, even though he earns significantly more and she sends him her entire paycheck.
• 🏠 OP, who takes care of their home and his 4-year-old child, feels unappreciated and questions the relationship's dynamic, especially when her sister and her husband go out of their way to buy her a desired gift.
• 📈 In an update, OP realizes the extent of her boyfriend's manipulative behavior and financial control, deciding to leave him with the support of her family.
• 🏡 OP moves back home with her parents, who offer financial and emotional support to help her rebuild her life and escape the toxic relationship.