HIS PARENTS MADE XMAS SO HORRIBLE

Dear Coleen

I’m a 22-year old girl and spent my first Christmas with my boyfriend’s parents. I was really looking forward to it, but the day itself was awful and I feel like dumping him as a result.

His family didn’t get me a gift, so I had to sit there while everyone else opened presents, feeling mortified. They then spent the rest of the day cooing over their grandchildren and practically ignored me.

I felt so upset that I just wanted to run home to my own parents. Am I being overdramatic?

I’ve told my boyfriend how hurt I felt, but he’s not taking it that seriously. What do you think?

Coleen says

It’s pretty rude if they knew you were coming for Christmas not to get you a gift, even if it was just a token gesture. I couldn’t bear the thought of leaving someone out while everyone else unwrapped their gifts. So that was meanspirited and thoughtless.

On the other hand, I think you have to accept that it’s never going to be like Christmas with your own family and your first time away from home is always quite hard.

So perhaps if you do it again, then just tell yourself not to expect anything. That way you won’t feel let down and you’re just going to enjoy the day with your boyfriend.

Alternatively, spend the day itself with your own families and get together on Boxing Day and have your own celebration.

And, you know what, it’s just one day on the calendar and, if everything else is right with your boyfriend, it’s silly to split up over a rubbish Christmas Day.