Mom Excludes One Sister From Secret Santa

[fluffy]

The title pretty much says it all. 

My family does secret santas instead us buying presents for everyone. This year, my mom decided to limit secret santa to people who would actually be in town for Christmas. I thought that she just meant that we wouldn't be including some more distant relatives who live out of state. They haven't always participated. No big deal. Right?

Well, apparently my mom also excluded the sister who wasn't sure if she was going to make it on Christmas Day.

I suspect that this is her way of getting back at my sister for being wishy-washy about her plans (she has to balance things with her husband's family and admittedly tends to spend more holidays with them because it's a shorter drive). At the very least, it was a really good way to ensure that my sister decided not to spend Christmas with us. Nothing is more alienating than being excluded from our one holiday tradition.

Apparently, my mom's plan was to not tell my sister that we were doing secret santa this year. Except, she neglected to tell me about this plan (too bad! I would have talked her out of it). She also neglected to remember that my sister's twin tells her everything. I imagine that my sister is not going to be inclined to want to spend Christmas with us. 

Is it just me, or is my mom being as rude as I think she is?

[Hawkwatcher]

No, your mother is being rude and it appears that her rudeness is going to backfire on her.

[rashea]

Is it possible for you to not let your Mom plan this in the future? I can see how it wouldn't be fun to be the one person who doesn't get a gift (coming in the mail) on Christmas, or the person who doesn't get to see their gift opened. Still, I think there had to be a better way to deal with this!

[fluffy]

I was supposed to organize secret santa this year, but then mom called everyone and gave them their assignments. 

Did I mention that she rigs it every year so that her name goes to a person who gives good gifts? There are quite a few people in our family who give absolutely horrible Christmas presents. Surprisingly enough, none of them has ever been assigned to my mother. 

Happily, I have some fabulous presents for my sister (my sisters and I always cheat and buy presents for each other). But, I am definitely more understanding now of why she has a tendency to spend holidays with her in-laws.

Sigh.

[Rachel]

Sounds like next year would be a good time to start a new holiday tradition.

"Sorry, Mom, but I think we're all a bit tired of the secret santa thing. Lets do X instead."

[rashea]

I was supposed to organize secret santa this year, but then mom called everyone and gave them their assignments. 

Did I mention that she rigs it every year so that her name goes to a person who gives good gifts? There are quite a few people in our family who give absolutely horrible Christmas presents. Surprisingly enough, none of them has ever been assigned to my mother. 

Happily, I have some fabulous presents for my sister (my sisters and I always cheat and buy presents for each other). But, I am definitely more understanding now of why she has a tendency to spend holidays with her in-laws.

Sigh.

Do you know who is doing it this year? I would be really tempted to have them get her something bad, but that would be wrong... 

[Bijou]

I cannot imagine doing something like this to my kids.  Ever.

[lamorevincera]

I was supposed to organize secret santa this year, but then mom called everyone and gave them their assignments. 

Did I mention that she rigs it every year so that her name goes to a person who gives good gifts? There are quite a few people in our family who give absolutely horrible Christmas presents. Surprisingly enough, none of them has ever been assigned to my mother. 

Happily, I have some fabulous presents for my sister (my sisters and I always cheat and buy presents for each other). But, I am definitely more understanding now of why she has a tendency to spend holidays with her in-laws.

Sigh.

Do you know who is doing it this year? I would be really tempted to have them get her something bad, but that would be wrong... 

"Hi. I heard you drew Mom's name this year, and thought I'd give you a heads up. She reeeally really wants a nose hair trimmer. Don't know why and not asking, but she's been hinting really heavily."

[Pixie]

I was supposed to organize secret santa this year, but then mom called everyone and gave them their assignments. 

Did I mention that she rigs it every year so that her name goes to a person who gives good gifts? There are quite a few people in our family who give absolutely horrible Christmas presents. Surprisingly enough, none of them has ever been assigned to my mother. 

Happily, I have some fabulous presents for my sister (my sisters and I always cheat and buy presents for each other). But, I am definitely more understanding now of why she has a tendency to spend holidays with her in-laws.

Sigh.

Do you know who is doing it this year? I would be really tempted to have them get her something bad, but that would be wrong... 

"Hi. I heard you drew Mom's name this year, and thought I'd give you a heads up. She reeeally really wants a nose hair trimmer. Don't know why and not asking, but she's been hinting really heavily."

She also really really really wants a book on etiquette..... she's been hinting for MONTHS now!

[willow08]

Yeah, using a family tradition to bludgeon a loved one is definitely not the best way to draw them closer to you.

[DottyG]

I was supposed to organize secret santa this year, but then mom called everyone and gave them their assignments. 

Did I mention that she rigs it every year so that her name goes to a person who gives good gifts? There are quite a few people in our family who give absolutely horrible Christmas presents. Surprisingly enough, none of them has ever been assigned to my mother. 

Happily, I have some fabulous presents for my sister (my sisters and I always cheat and buy presents for each other). But, I am definitely more understanding now of why she has a tendency to spend holidays with her in-laws.

Sigh.

Do you know who is doing it this year? I would be really tempted to have them get her something bad, but that would be wrong... 

"Hi. I heard you drew Mom's name this year, and thought I'd give you a heads up. She reeeally really wants a nose hair trimmer. Don't know why and not asking, but she's been hinting really heavily."

EvilDottyG would like to buy Evillamorevincera the beverage of her choice for this!