We ' ve had similar issues with Easter eggs , birthdays any suggestion of getting a present that isn ' t what ' s been specifically requested is met with screaming . I can appreciate the fact that you bought a present with thought and care , but I don ' t understand why on Earth you would deviate from the list when this has been an issue several times previously . What were you expecting to happen ? It sounds like this family has very different giftgiving expectations and traditions than you do . And I know that ' s frustrating . But at this point it ' s less about who is right , and more about recognizing a pattern of behavior . You know that not getting them something from the list will create a problem . You keep doing it anyway . In the future , if they requests gifts that are outside of your budget , kindly ask if they have less expensive options they would prefer . Or get them nothing . Your efforts at being thoughtful are wasted here .