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Original poster

Christmas gifts (yet another one!)

30 replies

Slightlyperplexed · 09/01/2026 17:10

One of our 4 children completely 'forgot' to give us a a present this year. He's not known to be forgetful. There's been no fall out. Should we nudge or leave well alone?
From family chatter we were the only ones left out!

OP posts:
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Soonenough · 10/01/2026 15:07

LTB

MagicStarrz · 10/01/2026 15:05

I don't think a gift should be an obligation. They might not have had the finances this year or other things going on? Did they call you or visit or send a card?

Fridayhappiness · 10/01/2026 14:23

unbelievablybelievable · 09/01/2026 22:17

No, just one of the latest parenting trends. The opposite of helicopter parenting, if you will, to create more resilient kids. You should read up on NC parenting for 0-18. It's a really interesting theory.

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It sounds interestingly funny! I’ll take a look.

Billybagpuss · 10/01/2026 06:50

You really could do with elaborating a bit here, you haven’t given us any history or background or idea of how Christmas panned out so no one is really able to answer your question as they’re trying to drag further details from you. when did you give him your Christmas gifts. Is he in a relationship or recently separated and it’s now him in charge where it hasn’t been in the past. Were you all sat around the tree exchanging gifts and you just didn’t get anything?

my instinct would be to ignore it until it becomes an obvious trend, when is your birthday does he usually get you something for Mother’s Day. How has he been with gift giving in the past.

GrannyAchingsShepherdsHut · 09/01/2026 23:26

Slightlyperplexed · 09/01/2026 22:21

Actually it just hasn't been mentioned

But did you see him at Christmas? Or would he have posted your gift?

Or were you all sitting around the tree and he handed everyone except you a gift?!

What's more likely: He's chosen to pointedly not give you (and just you) a gift, for no reason at all, and hasn't mentioned it to anyone else. Or he did get you something which has gone astray somewhere and he has no idea?

Original poster
Slightlyperplexed · 09/01/2026 22:21

Actually it just hasn't been mentioned

OP posts:
unbelievablybelievable · 09/01/2026 22:17

Fridayhappiness · 09/01/2026 20:58

MH issue maybe.

Show quote history

No, just one of the latest parenting trends. The opposite of helicopter parenting, if you will, to create more resilient kids. You should read up on NC parenting for 0-18. It's a really interesting theory.

Fridayhappiness · 09/01/2026 21:01

HoskinsChoice · 09/01/2026 20:26

😂😂😂

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There’s a possibility according to another MNetter that this isn’t actually a joke! 😬

Fridayhappiness · 09/01/2026 20:58

unbelievablybelievable · 09/01/2026 20:25

Pretty sure she's being serious. She's got a long-standing thread on the logistics of going NC with a 6yo.

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MH issue maybe.

bridgetreilly · 09/01/2026 20:39

I wouldn’t make a big fuss about it, or try any kind of emotional guilt tripping, but I might just check in to ask whether you missed his gift somehow because it seemed really unlike him not to bother and you don’t want to be ungrateful.

Happilyobtuse · 09/01/2026 20:32

Does he have money troubles? Gambling issues?! Any reason he would be broke? What excuse did he give?

GrannyAchingsShepherdsHut · 09/01/2026 20:26

Did you see him at Christmas, could it have been lost in the post and he's wondering why you haven't said thank you?!

HoskinsChoice · 09/01/2026 20:26

didntlikeanyofthesuggestions · 09/01/2026 17:55

Similar thing happened with me. I've gone non-contact. My family has taken his side which has really annoyed me. I certainly won't be getting him anything for his 6th birthday next month.

😂😂😂

unbelievablybelievable · 09/01/2026 20:25

Fridayhappiness · 09/01/2026 18:54

This is a joke right?

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Pretty sure she's being serious. She's got a long-standing thread on the logistics of going NC with a 6yo.

Original poster
Slightlyperplexed · 09/01/2026 20:22

Adult child, good job!

OP posts:
JanBlues2026 · 09/01/2026 19:07

You don’t ask someone for a gift. Just match their energy next time

Billybagpuss · 09/01/2026 19:07

How did he announce the ‘forgetting’ assuming adult child here

TomatoSandwiches · 09/01/2026 19:00

didntlikeanyofthesuggestions · 09/01/2026 17:55

Similar thing happened with me. I've gone non-contact. My family has taken his side which has really annoyed me. I certainly won't be getting him anything for his 6th birthday next month.

😂😂😂

DBD1975 · 09/01/2026 18:57

Why do you care? Christmas is not about the gifts, I have three close relatives who don't buy me a gift, I still buy for them, my choice.
I am by no means well off, if anything they are better off than me but it is my choice.

Fridayhappiness · 09/01/2026 18:56

Bess91 · 09/01/2026 18:45

Context would be helpful here.. but regardless, he didn't forget he has parents, or when Christmas is.

Maybe his wife refused to shop for him this year?

Yes, this would make sense!

DBD1975 · 09/01/2026 18:54

didntlikeanyofthesuggestions · 09/01/2026 17:55

Similar thing happened with me. I've gone non-contact. My family has taken his side which has really annoyed me. I certainly won't be getting him anything for his 6th birthday next month.

Hysterical! 😂

Fridayhappiness · 09/01/2026 18:54

didntlikeanyofthesuggestions · 09/01/2026 17:55

Similar thing happened with me. I've gone non-contact. My family has taken his side which has really annoyed me. I certainly won't be getting him anything for his 6th birthday next month.

This is a joke right?

Left · 09/01/2026 18:52

Seems weird if they got everyone else gifts… could it have got lost in the post?

DappledThings · 09/01/2026 18:48

Maybe he's trying to soft launch not getting presents at all. Bit cowardly not to actually have the conversation but you could start it by saying you noticed and if he wants to stop doing Christmas presents that's fine. Then he has the opportunity.

Bess91 · 09/01/2026 18:45

Context would be helpful here.. but regardless, he didn't forget he has parents, or when Christmas is.

Maybe his wife refused to shop for him this year?