Last Christmas, a well-intentioned gift turned into a family crisis. The writer carefully chose a $900 designer purple silk scarf for her mother-in-law, but the reaction was unexpected. The mother-in-law screamed, cried, and accused her of ruining Christmas, citing her dislike for the color purple. She expressed disappointment with all the gifts received, focusing her frustration on the writer.

The writer questioned whether the issue was really about the scarf’s color or deeper family dynamics. Tension lingered throughout the dinner, leading the writer and her husband to leave early. Now, with another Christmas approaching, the writer seeks advice on whether to attend and how to navigate the situation.

In this holiday dilemma, the writer asks, “AITA for not anticipating my mother-in-law’s color preferences? Is her reaction justified, or is it an overreaction to what was intended as a heartfelt and expensive gift? How do I salvage the holiday spirit without falling into the same trap?”

In summary, a seemingly thoughtful gift took an unexpected turn, leaving the writer unsure about attending this year’s Christmas celebration with her mother-in-law.