"AITA for giving my son's gf a funny xmas present as a joke?"

In a recent Christmas gathering, a 43-year-old mother decided to play a lighthearted prank on her sons’ girlfriends by giving them a gift box filled with coal. The mother, who goes by the username Asshole43f on the forums, has a 21-year-old son who brought his girlfriend Amanda, and a 17-year-old son whose girlfriend Mel also joined the family celebration.

The tradition of giving a box of coal as a humorous gift began the previous Christmas when Mel received one and took it in good spirits. However, this year, Amanda’s reaction was quite different. Alongside the coal, the mother had also carefully selected other presents for Amanda, including candles, perfumes, and an outfit for Amanda’s dog, reflecting her knowledge of Amanda’s interests.

When Amanda opened the box of coal, instead of laughing it off, she became visibly upset. Her eyes welled up, and she expressed her disappointment, mentioning that she had bought the mother a thoughtful gift. Amanda promptly left the gathering, even as the mother tried to explain that the coal was meant as a joke and that she had other gifts for her. Amanda left before she could fully comprehend the situation, leaving her gifts behind.

Reflecting on the incident, the mother acknowledges feeling a twinge of guilt, particularly because Amanda had prepared a necklace and kitchen sets as thoughtful gifts. However, she remains firm in her belief that the prank was intended in good humor, especially since she had also bought substantial gifts for Amanda. Despite this, Amanda’s departure and reaction have left lingering tensions among the family.

Now seeking advice on the internet forums, the mother wonders if she might have overstepped boundaries or if Amanda’s reaction was overly sensitive. Forum members are divided, with some labeling the mother as potentially inconsiderate while others defend the prank as harmless fun. The incident has prompted a debate on the appropriateness of such jokes in familial settings and the importance of considering individual sensitivities when attempting humor.

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