Giving or receiving Christmas presents can be difficult; sometimes they work well, and other times they don’t. But occasionally, you get a gift that is so surprising or unique that it leaves a lasting impression.

First Story

When I opened the exquisitely wrapped gift my MIL gave me, I discovered a sweater that was several sizes too small. She smiled sweetly but sharply and said, “I thought this might motivate you to get in shape.” I sat there, embarrassed, and the room fell silent.

Then my husband said, “Wow, Mom, you didn’t have to get Max a present!” while holding up the sweater. Max, our golden retriever, was lying on the couch when he threw it on it. Her arrogant look vanished as everyone chuckled uneasily.

Second Story

I liked the setting of the really unusual diamond ring that my boyfriend’s grandmother had. She gave me my Christmas gift when we later got together for lunch. There were only tiny plastic rings in the box, which left me completely perplexed when I opened it. She is aware that I crochet, so I assumed it had to do with crafts.

No, it turned out to be for ring sizing. And beneath it, I could see the ring that was being made to order on a piece of paper. She purchased a diamond ring for me. © Reddit/notyourcoloringbook

Story 5

My mother gave me a small jewelry box for travel. I only wear my wedding ring and the occasional necklace, and she always buys me inexpensive jewelry for Christmas because she likes it. I also don’t ever travel.© Reddit/tkdbbelt

Story 6

My wife’s parents detested me when we first got married. They gave me a woman’s sweater one year. When I wore it the following Christmas, my mother-in-law questioned my wife about why I was donning a woman’s sweater.© Reddit/RichLyons***

Story 7

I got a bright orange wallet from my brother. He pointed to the wallet I had given him a few years prior and said, “Because you like orange so much.” The color is red. He lacks the ability to see color.© Reddit/Whole-Arachnid-Army

Story 8

I received an ugly purse from my MIL that still had the clearance sticker on it. It arrived in a damaged and dusty box.© Reddit/Bottle_Sweaty

Story 9

Story 10

My grandparents gave me an unwrapped suitcase for Christmas when I was ten years old. They wrapped the gifts for my sisters in that suitcase for convenience’s sake.© Reddit/ragedandobtused

Story 11

I replied, “She likes to sew,” when my mother asked what my 13-year-old daughter wanted for Christmas. I’m not sure how this resulted in our whole extended family purchasing her only yarn.© Reddit/Downtown_Statement87

Story 12

My mother said she knew I loved pineapple upside down cake, so she made it for dessert. I have a pineapple allergy.© Reddit/111gemini111

I requested a 300–1000 piece jigsaw puzzle. I was given three 100-piece jigsaw puzzles.© Reddit/Feral-Librarian