Absolutely!
Do real adults behave like this?
Honestly, this reaction is quite childish for a grown adult.
It’s a gift, not a competition. Your daughter is in her late 20s — she’s not a little child whose “special present” needs to be “claimed” by mum. And even then…
Getting upset because someone else bought the item first suggests this isn’t about Christmas or your daughter at all. It’s about the you as her mother wanting to feel like the most special, important giver.
That’s where female competitiveness creeps in — the “I want to be the one who gives her the best, most meaningful present.”
But that’s about ego, not generosity.
Most adults recognise that:
- gifts don’t come with territory
- families overlap
- sometimes someone else happens to buy the same thing
- it’s not a personal attack, nor a threat
- the daughter will appreciate all gifts, not award “top giver” status
The boyfriend’s mum wasn’t trying to one-up anyone. She probably just thought she was being thoughtful. The only person turning it into a hierarchy is you, who feels “robbed” of the moment.
So yes — adults do sometimes react like this, but they really shouldn’t. It’s a sign that the issue isn’t the perfume at all, but insecurity and competitiveness masquerading as “tradition” and “excitement.”
The healthy response would be to buy something else she’ll enjoy, and remember Christmas is about giving, not keeping score.