Woman Gets HOMEMADE Gifts in $250 Secret Santa Exchange – Is She Wrong to Be Upset?

Picture this: you and your friends plan a late Christmas gathering with a not-so-secret Secret Santa gift exchange. The budget? A whopping $250. Everyone agrees to the amount, and you’re all excited to see what luxurious gifts you’ll receive. You even splurge on a fancy Dior silk scarf for your secret Santa. But when the time comes to open your gift, you’re met with…handmade items. Not just any handmade items, but ones that don’t seem to reflect the agreed-upon budget. What would you do? Would you be grateful for the thought or feel disappointed? One person found themselves in this exact situation, and let’s just say, things got a little heated.

Late Xmas Gathering

The $250 Budget

Financially Better Off Friend

My Secret Santa Gift

Excited for My Gift

Handmade Surprise

The $250 Question

Thought That Counts?

Unwanted Junk? ️

Overreacting?

Not a Crafty Person

The Painting ️

Handmade Gifts: Heartfelt or Half-hearted?

When everyone else in the group received branded items like skincare, makeup, and accessories, our protagonist was left with handmade items like resin coasters, yarn bracelets, a crocheted turtle, and a watercolor painting. When they asked how these items cost $250, the friend insisted that the kits and materials cost money, and a bespoke painting is priceless. Our protagonist wasn’t convinced, feeling like they got the short end of the stick. The rest of the group thought they were overreacting, but they couldn’t help but feel disappointed. So, what do you think? Are handmade gifts a thoughtful gesture, or should the friend have stuck to the agreed-upon budget? Let’s see what the internet has to say about this situation…

NTA for being upset with low-value homemade gifts in $250 exchange

NTA for being upset with all handmade gifts in Secret Santa

Expectations for $250 gift exchange should be followed. NTA.

Craft kits not age-appropriate, poor condition; NTA for being upset

Gift-giver misses the point of gift-giving, NTA for feeling upset

$250 for a friend’s gift exchange?!

Expecting a quality gift but received experimental handmade gifts. NTA.

Handmade gifts are great, but not when thoughtless.

Handmade doesn’t equal personal, NTA for being upset ‍♀️

Woman receives bad homemade gifts and is upset. NTA.

Using kits for a Secret Santa gift is not cool

DIY gifts should be valued based on cost of supplies. NTA.

Crafting skills matter in $250 Secret Santa exchange

Receiving a homemade gift and asking for it back? Weird move.

Homemade gifts are personal, but not for a $250 exchange. NTA.

Don’t agree to a $250 Secret Santa if you’re broke #NTA

Craftsman defends against homemade gifts in Secret Santa exchange.

Analyzing the questionable Secret Santa gifts

Skilled artist gives a painting and store-bought gifts for $35 Secret Santa, while OP’s $250 gift was low quality art kit. NTA

Handmade gifts are great but should fit the gift exchange vibe

Gift exchange rules were clear, homemade gifts were inappropriate. NTA.

Resin kit costs $40, they got $6 worth coasters. Understandable anger

Suggests using a website for Secret Santa, defends homemade gifts.

Homemade gift deemed thoughtless, commenter questions recipient’s maturity

Homemade gifts and regifting for next year’s Secret Santa

Friend receives homemade gifts in secret santa, not wrong to be upset

Feeling underpaid? This commenter spent less than $250 on all presents

Disappointed in Secret Santa gifts, called out for reaction

Handmade gifts not appropriate for $250 Secret Santa. #NTA

Handmade gifts should be asked for or have genuine interest ✂️

NTA commenter criticizes $250 Secret Santa limit, suggests handmade gift exchange.

NTA didn’t follow the gift limit, but socio-economics may matter

Crafty person receives kitschy gifts, NTA for being annoyed.

NTA but advised not to make a big deal out of it

Crafty commenter explains why woman is NTA for being upset

Friend tries to be cheap in Secret Santa, gets called out

Is $250 too much for a Secret Santa gift exchange?

Setting a $250 Secret Santa budget was a bad decision

Expensive not-so-secret Santa gone wrong. NTA for keeping distance.

Gifter’s selfishness is apparent; NTA for feeling upset

Crafting takes time and effort. NTA for feeling disappointed.

ESH for doing a $250 Secret Santa and not communicating expectations.

Receiving unwanted homemade gifts in a Secret Santa exchange

NTA. Secret Santa can be disappointing when effort and budgets differ.

NTA! Homemade gifts are unacceptable for a $250 Secret Santa.

NTA, budget expectation is $200+. Gift value creates stress.

Friendship bracelets at $250 gift exchange? NTA.

Set price point should be followed, NTA for expecting that

Handmade gifts miss the mark: NTA comment gets it right

Cheap gifters ruining Secret Santa? NTA speaks out.

NTA. Upset over poorly made gifts in Secret Santa exchange.

A childhood secret Santa disaster still haunts her

Dealing with rule-breakers ruins Secret Santa, everyone loses

Gift exchange inequality: NTA for feeling upset about mismatched gifts.

A homemade gift made with high quality materials is better. NTA

NTA thinks handmade gifts were a cheap move

User suggests making homemade gifts for ungrateful recipient

Handmade gifts from skillful people are amazing, but junky items suck. ESH.

Opinions on homemade gifts in a $250 Secret Santa exchange.

NTA, a poorly made gift deserves to go in the trash ️

User rejects $250 Secret Santa gift and criticizes party culture.

Accept gifts graciously, donate if needed. Passive aggressive revenge unnecessary.

Gift-giving is risky business without strict rules and return receipts.

A scathing critique of the commercialization of Christmas

NTA, but $250 limit for Secret Santa is ridiculous ‍♀️

NTA for being disappointed with ‘branded’ gifts. YTA for vapid worship.

Asking about the gift’s cost and being rude makes YTA

Skilled handmade gifts deserve value, but impulsive homemade gifts don’t. NTA

Handmade gifts may not always be the best option ‍♀️

Professional artist discusses expectations for Secret Santa gift, suggests adding gift card. NTA

Artist defends NTA, suggests asking recipient for preference. ‍

Friendship ended over a bad gift exchange experience

Eco-friendly NTA suggests dumping gift wrapping in trash bag

Artist explains why handmade gifts in Secret Santa are tacky

Crocheting a hello kitty cardigan for 20 hours is no joke

Not everyone appreciates handmade gifts ‍♀️

Receiving random craft kit gifts, NTA for feeling disappointed

Spending vs Making: NTA receives homemade gift, sparks debate

Thoughtful homemade gifts > thoughtless store-bought junk. #NTA

Art degree holder suggests buying luxury item in $250 exchange

Engaging question about gift value in Secret Santa exchange.

Part-time Etsy artist defends homemade gifts, deems recipient NTA

NTA for being upset about $250 Secret Santa gift

NTA- Violated gift exchange ethos, but suck it up and refuse.