Jen and her husband, both in their 70s, were buzzing with excitement. Their youngest granddaughter, Eloise, was getting married, and they couldn’t wait to celebrate her special day. They had already seen four of their grandchildren tie the knot, and each time, they’d upheld a cherished family tradition.
The tradition? Buy the cheapest item on the wedding registry and surprise the grandchild with a check for $40,000. Simple, sweet, and a little sneaky.
When it was Eloise’s turn, Jen and her husband picked the least expensive item on her list: an air fryer. But what was meant as a thoughtful gift quickly turned sour.
The moment Eloise saw the air fryer, she was livid. She grabbed her phone and called her grandmother, her voice dripping with frustration.
“Seriously, Grandma? An air fryer? That’s the cheapest thing on my list!”
Jen, trying to keep the surprise under wraps, replied calmly, “It’s a very useful gift.”
But Eloise wasn’t having it. “Useful? Come on. Everyone knows you have money. It’s embarrassing that you’d be so cheap!”
Jen sighed and hinted, “Maybe we’re cheap and old. Or maybe we planned to give you a $40,000 check before your wedding.”
Eloise, blinded by her anger, didn’t catch the clue. She hung up, convinced her grandparents didn’t care.
The couple, hurt by her reaction, began to question if she’d truly appreciate the gift. After much thought, they decided to break their tradition this time.
A few days later, Eloise learned about the $40,000 tradition from her siblings. Furious, she called her grandparents again.
“Why didn’t I get the check? You gave it to everyone else!”
Jen didn’t hold back. “We felt your reaction showed a lack of gratitude. It didn’t seem right to give it to you.”
Eloise protested, “You’re punishing me for being upset about an air fryer?”
Jen responded gently but firmly, “It wasn’t about the air fryer. It was about the way you spoke to us. Respect matters more than any gift.”
Eloise pleaded, claiming she was stressed from wedding planning and didn’t mean to be hurtful. But Jen and her husband stood their ground.
“We love you,” Jen said softly, “but we hope this helps you understand why respect is so important.”
Eloise, still upset, even threatened to skip future family gatherings. But her grandparents didn’t budge.
What do you think? Were the grandparents right to withhold the gift?
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