MIL Stole My Childhood Christmas Decorations… Do I Take Them Back?
OP (aka ExhaustedPigeon37) thought she was losing her mind when two beloved childhood Christmas decorations went missing. These weren’t just cute holiday trinkets—they held years of sentimental value. Think red-and-white hanging ornaments that spelled out “Noel” and “Ho Ho Ho,” each topped with a little Santa head, matched with a third that read “Joy.” She found the Joy one at home, but the others? Nowhere to be found. At first, she figured they’d turn up in another box, maybe accidentally left behind during a house move.
That is… until she visited her in-laws and spotted her Noel and Ho Ho Ho ornaments hanging from her MIL’s tree.
Cue emotional chaos.
Now, OP’s torn. Her MIL never asked to borrow or keep them. Her husband doesn’t recall giving them away. They’re not expensive, but they mean the world to her. So now she’s stuck with three options: confront her MIL, swipe them back on the sly, or let them go forever. But for many of us, Christmas is more than tinsel—it’s about memories, and those ornaments were a piece of hers.
They say Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year – but not when you suddenly lose two of three of your most sentimental Christmas decorations!
The author of the post has three favorite decorations from her childhood – and recently she found out there’s only one of them left
Okay, let’s talk about what’s really happening here, because on the surface, it looks like a small holiday misunderstanding. But under the tinsel and glitter, this is classic passive-aggressive MIL behavior that could signal deeper issues in the relationship.
🎁 Sentimental Items Are Priceless (Even If They’re Cheap)
First off, let’s address the obvious: these decorations aren’t expensive. But that’s not the point.
Sentimental value outweighs monetary value every time—especially around the holidays. Studies in behavioral psychology show that people form emotional bonds with items that trigger nostalgic memories. It’s called the endowment effect. Basically, once something’s “yours” and tied to memories, it becomes more valuable in your eyes.
OP’s ornaments are tied to her childhood. Maybe they remind her of her parents, a specific Christmas morning, or the feeling of being safe and loved. Seeing them on her MIL’s tree—without permission—feels like emotional theft.
🕵️♀️ Is This MIL Behavior a Red Flag?
This isn’t just about tinsel. This might be part of a larger pattern.
Many Reddit threads, especially on r/JUSTNOMIL, are full of stories where in-laws cross emotional boundaries in subtle but meaningful ways. Things like:
- Taking personal items without asking
- “Borrowing” things and never returning them
- Inserting themselves into private traditions
- Making passive-aggressive comments masked as politeness
If OP’s MIL has done similar things before—like taking over hosting duties without being asked, changing plans last-minute, or gifting items that were once OP’s “as if” they were hers—it might be time for a bigger boundary talk.
This sort of behavior isn’t always malicious, but it can stem from power dynamics, control issues, or even just a lack of respect.
🎄 Christmas Family Drama: Why It Hits Harder
Holiday stress is real. A study from the American Psychological Association showed that 38% of people report increased stress during the holidays. Now mix in extended family, unmet expectations, and long drives, and you’ve got a recipe for emotional fireworks.
What makes this worse is that it’s happening during what’s supposed to be a joyful, sacred family time. OP is not just losing decorations—she’s losing a piece of her holiday identity. That hurts more than most people admit.
👀 What Are the Options Here?
Let’s break down OP’s choices and what each one could mean.
1. Confront MIL Directly (Nicely)
Best case: MIL says, “Oh! I thought you didn’t want them anymore. Here, take them back!”
Worst case: MIL denies it, gaslights OP, or gets defensive and turns it into drama.
If OP takes this route, she should stay calm, avoid blaming language, and use I statements:
“I noticed the Noel and Ho Ho Ho decorations on your tree, and they looked just like the ones from my childhood set. I’ve been really upset because I couldn’t find them this year, and they’re very sentimental to me. Any chance they made their way here during the move?”
This opens the door for a resolution without war.
2. Go Full Christmas Heist & Sneak Them Back
Tempting, right?
This option’s all about OP taking back what’s hers without confrontation. And honestly… a lot of commenters would vote for this. Especially if MIL has a history of petty behavior.
But this could backfire. If MIL notices and confronts OP, things could get real awkward, real fast. Especially if OP has to lie to cover it up.
Still, if OP can do it discreetly and safely, and if it’ll bring peace of mind, it’s not the worst move.
3. Let It Go… For Now
Hardest option, but also the one that avoids drama altogether.
Some might say, “Pick your battles,” and maybe this is one OP lets slide—for now. She can keep her Joy decoration, start a new collection with her own family, and maybe recreate the missing pieces with a custom order from Etsy.
But… that doesn’t sit well with everyone. Especially when the theft feels personal.
🧠 Reddit Would Say…
Let’s be honest, if OP posted this to r/AmItheAsshole or r/JustNoMIL, the response would be an absolute avalanche of:
“STEAL ‘EM BACK ON BOXING DAY!”
“She totally knew what she was doing. That’s not a coincidence.”
“MIL is testing your boundaries—don’t let her win.”
“This is weirdly controlling. Get your memories back, girl.”
People on Reddit love a little righteous holiday revenge. But many would also suggest setting clear boundaries to avoid drama next year.
Most commenters urged the woman to make sure these decorations are hers first, and only then to escalate the drama
What Should OP Do?
So… is MIL a sneaky Grinch or just confused?
It depends on the history. If this is her first offense, maybe it’s a mistake. But if OP’s gut is screaming “this ain’t right,” then she should listen to it. Whether she swipes them back or confronts her MIL head-on, she’s within her rights to reclaim her memories.
What matters most is preserving the feeling those decorations brought her—not just the objects themselves. If OP wants to start new traditions, fine. If she wants to take back what’s hers? Also fine.
In the end, Christmas is about family, love, and memories. And OP has every right to protect all three.